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Online Expert Diploma in International Institutions (UOC, UNITAR)

Presentation

Understanding the institutional framework of the United Nations in today's international system.

This programme gives students a comprehensive understanding of international institutions, including the UN, international law, international relations and international political economics.
Programme offered jointly by UOC and UNITAR
Payment in instalments

You can split your payment into instalments

There are a number of advantages to studying this type of programme at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), compared with other options:

  • Flexibility: the UOC offers an online teaching model that allows students to organize their studies according to their personal needs and circumstances. 

  • Personalized tutoring: UOC students have access to a personal tutor who will help them with their learning and provide support and guidance throughout the programme.

  • Practical approach: the UOC programme is designed to give students practical training geared to problem-solving, which will prepare them for their future careers.

  • Start

    15 Oct 2026

  • 100%

    Online

  • 15

    Credits ECTS

  • Languages: English

  • UOC-certified qualification

  • Duration:

Enrol Request information

Fully online method

World's first ever online university

Personalized guidance and support

Together with:

The university that won the race against time video link

The university that won the race against time

The virtual classroom video link

The virtual classroom

Expert Diploma in International Institutions (UOC, UNITAR)

Academic programme

Academic programme

  • Introduction to the UN System 4 ECTS 
  • International Law and Institutions 4 ECTS 
  • International Relations System and Theories 3 ECTS 
  • International Political Economy 4 ECTS

Duration


At the UOC, an ECTS credit is equivalent to 25 hours of student work. Depending on the number of ECTS credits, the duration of lifelong learning programs ranges from 1 month to 2 years, approximately:

  • Lifelong learning master's degree: 2 years
  • Specialization diploma: 1 year
  • Expert diploma: 1 semester (6 months)
  • Postgraduate course: between 1 and 6 months
     
Expert Diploma in International Institutions (UOC, UNITAR)

Academic team

Faculty Dean

  • Ignasi Beltran de Heredia Ruiz
    Ignasi Beltran de Heredia Ruiz
Expert Diploma in International Institutions (UOC, UNITAR)

Career opportunities

Objectives

  • To develop a critical understanding of key questions and concepts related to international relations.

  • To demonstrate a comprehensive, substantive and practical knowledge of international institutions.

  • To develop analytical skills and the ability to think critically.

  • To participate effectively, efficiently and confidently in bilateral and multilateral work environments.

Employability

The employability of UOC students is key to the university's success. We identify and include in our programmes of study key competencies that are in demand in the job market. And our career guidance services empower you to make decisions and take action for your future occupation.

Competencies

  • Ability to deal critically with literature concerning international relations and the way in which this literature interprets the empirical world of global politics.

  • An understanding of the main structure of governance, the history and development of the world from a variety of theoretical, regional and multidisciplinary perspectives.

  • The ability to argue and, based on data and theory, establish plausible explanations for international events and ways to validate or refute them.

  • To develop knowledge of the field of international relations through a study of international journals and specialized teaching material.

  • The ability to analyse arguments and evidence at international level.

Profiles

  • Diplomatic service

  • Public sector employees with international responsibilities

  • Third sector and NGOs

  • Think tanks

  • International organizations

  • International media

  • Intelligence and security

  • Higher education

Career opportunities

  • Diplomatic service: Students who complete this course are well-prepared for a career in this field, as they will have acquired an in-depth understanding of the international system and international relations, and will have developed effective communication and problem-solving skills.

  • International public sector employees: This programme prepares students for a career in international organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union and other regional organizations.

  • Lawyers specializing in international law: Students who focus on international law can have a career specializing in this field, working nationally or internationally.

  • Public policy analysts: The programme also prepares students for a career in public policy analysis, especially in connection with international economics.

  • Research: Students with an interest in research can have a career in the fields of international relations or international law.

The UOC, Spain's best online university

  • Ranking

    CYD ranking

    The UOC was ranked as the best online university in Spain by the 2025 CYD ranking.

  • Ranking

    Times Higher Education

    The UOC is the highest ranked online university from Spain in the 2025 Times Higher Education ranking.

  • Ranking

    World University Rankings

    The UOC is among the best 7% of universities in the world, according to the 2025 World University Rankings (CWUR).

Expert Diploma in International Institutions (UOC, UNITAR)

Access requirements

Access qualification

You need to have an official university qualification to be able to study on the programme. If you don't have one, you can access the programme if you can provide proof of your professional experience.

Consult the information and documentation you must provide, depending on where you completed your prior studies: 
Supporting documents

You need to submit documents proving you have a prior university qualification or professional experience within 10 days of completing your enrolment. Find out what documents are needed in each case, and how and where you need to submit them.

Professional requirements

In the case of not having a prior university degree, you can access if you meet the following professional requirements:

Two years’ work experience and/or professional experience in the following fields:

  • Legal Practice and Representation
  • Humanitarian Action
  • Political Science
  • Cities and Urbanism
  • International Cooperation
  • International Conflict
  • Criminology
  • Diplomacy
  • Law
  • Human Rights and Democracy
  • Taxation
  • Public Administration and Management
  • Mediation
  • International Relations

Experience in a field other than those mentioned above will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Fluent English is essential for this programme because English is the language of instruction.

Prior Knowledge

English level B2.

Degrees

Depending on the lifelong learning programme in question, students who complete their studies will be awarded a lifelong learning master's degree, a specialization diploma or an expert diploma.

Students who pass other continuing education courses will be awarded the corresponding certificate.
Expert Diploma in International Institutions (UOC, UNITAR)

Enrolment and fees

Enrolment process

Information and enrolment at UNITAR website

How do you enrol?

There are two moments a year for enrolment in lifelong learning programmes, depending on when the program in question begins to teach. Check the registration period and the beginning of the course on the page of the studies you want to study.

Enrolment from May onwards

for programmes starting in September or October

Enrolment from November onwards

for programmes starting in February or March

 

The fees for this programme will be those applicable when enrolment is completed. Subject to annual revisions.

Consult the section Payment options. When enrolling, you will be able to choose the payment option that best meets your needs.
Concept Price
Price
1,975 €

  • Financial support

  • Payment in instalments

  • Grants, aid and discounts

  • Special conditions for companies

  • Support for elite athletes

104.500 graduates

90 % of students study and work at the same time

84 % would choose the UOC again

For new students, the first installment will be 10% of the amount.

Lifelong learning master's degree: The first installment will be paid with POS, at the time of enrollment, and the rest in a maximum of 20 monthly installments starting from the month of beginning of teaching, by direct debit.

In case of enrolling a master's degree with an amount higher than 5,000 euros, the first installment will be paid by direct debit.

Specialization diploma: The first installment will be paid with POS, at the time of enrollment, and the rest in a maximum of 9 monthly installments starting from the month of beginning of teaching, by direct debit.

Expert diploma and postgraduate course: for amounts over 350 euros the first installment will be paid with POS, at the time of enrollment, and the rest in a maximum of 4 instalments by direct debit.

Payment in instalments carries a cost of 31 euros per procedure.

Payment of the enrolment fee is made once only by direct debit. When choosing this payment option, you will have to enter your bank details on the enrolment form. The charge for the enrolment fee will be made the following month.

In the case of specialization courses, one-off payment is made by POS terminal.

Consult the financing terms and conditions:

  • BBVA
  • CaixaBank
  • Préstamo Aplazo (Deferred loan) Santander

For new students, the first installment will be 10% of the amount.

Lifelong learning master's degree : The payment option for payment in instalments of the enrolment fee is direct debit (if you have a SEPA account) or card direct debit (if you do not have a SEPA account).
The first installment will be paid at the time of enrollment, and the rest in a maximum of 20 monthly installments starting from the month of beginning of teaching.

Specialization diploma:  The payment option for payment in instalments of the enrolment fee is direct debit (if you have a SEPA account) or card direct debit (if you do not have a SEPA account).
The first installment will be paid at the time of enrollment, and the rest in a maximum of 9 monthly installments starting from the month of beginning of teaching.

Expert diploma and postgraduate course: for amounts over 350 euros the first installment of the payment must be made by POS terminal at the time of enrollment, and the rest in a maximum of 4 installments by direct debit (if you have a SEPA account) or card direct debit (if you do not have a SEPA account).

Check here if your bank has a SEPA account.

Payment in instalments carries a cost of 31 euros per procedure.

Payment of the enrolment fee is made once only by card direct debit or bank transfer.

If you choose card direct debit, you will have to give the details of the card to be charged during the enrolment process. Remember that the cards we accept are VISA, Visa Electron and MasterCard (you cannot pay with American Express or Diner's Club).

The charge for the course enrolment fee will be made the following month. If you choose to pay for your course by card, remember that the terms and conditions to which you have agreed with your bank will apply. It is important that the card limit is higher than the cost of enrolment to prevent bills from being rejected.

If you have a SEPA bank account, payment can be made by direct debit. To choose this payment option, you will have to enter your bank details on the enrolment form. The charge for the course enrolment fee will be made the following month.

If you choose to pay by bank transfer, a scanned copy of the counterfoil must be sent via the Campus section: Secretary's Office / Enrolment / Payment options.  The deadline for payment is ten days after the formalization date and always before the start of teaching.

You can arrange the transfer with the details shown on the enrolment sheet.

Banco Santander Central Hispano
Passeig de Gràcia, 5. 08007 Barcelona. Spain
Account number: 0049-1806-91-2111869374
Swift Code: BSCH ES MM
IBAN: ES15-0049-1806-9121-1186-9374

Companies may only make payments by bank transfer. They cannot make payment in instalments.

During the enrolment process, you can choose the form of payment for the company in the drop-down menu.

A scanned copy of the proof of payment must be sent via the Campus section: Secretary's Office / Enrolment / Payment options.

The details you will need to make the transfer are as follows:

Banco Santander Central Hispano
Passeig de Gràcia, 5. 08007 Barcelona. Spain
Account number: 0049-1806-91-2111869374
Swift Code: BSCH ES MM
IBAN: ES15-0049-1806-9121-1186-9374


Important: if the company pays a percentage and the student the remaining percentage, the company's part must be paid by bank transfer, and the student's part using the available preferred payment option (transfer, direct debit or card direct debit).

Discounts

The UOC offers a series of discounts. If you are entitled to any of these discounts, you should select them in the dropdown menu in the Discounts section at the time of enrolling. If you are entitled to more than one, you will have to choose the one that benefits you most.

If you are eligible for any of these discounts at the time of enrolling, you will have to accredit your eligibility by submitting the relevant documentation within a maximum period of 10 calendar days.

Students having large family status recognized by Spain or by the appropriate body in the other countries are entitled to the following discounts, according to their category:

Large families in the special category: 15% discount.
Large families in the general category: 7.5% discount

Students with a level of disability recognized by Spain as being equal to or greater than 33%, or the equivalent level recognized by any country, are entitled to a 15% discount.

Students (or their children or spouse) who have been acknowledged as victims of terrorist acts by the appropriate body in Spain, or any other country, are entitled to a 15% discount.

Students (or their dependent children) who have been acknowledged as victims of gender-based violence by the appropriate body in Spain, or any other country, are entitled to a 15% discount.

You can obtain this discount if you have done at the UOC free subjects, languages, seminars, customized training courses (UOC Corporate) or an expert diploma. If you are studying a university degree or master's degree but have not yet been titled, you will also be given the community discount.      

You can obtain this discount if you have obtained an official degree (degree, bachelor's degree, diploma, engineering or university master's degree) or a lifelong learning master's degree or specialization diploma from the UOC.       

You can get this discount if you have a link with a company associated with the UOC.

The UOC offers discounts to companies that participate and support the training of their professionals, prior agreement with the UOC.

Professionals linked to any company or institution that maintains a collaboration agreement with the UOC will be able to benefit from advantages and discounts on the cost of tuition fees for training programs in the University's catalog.

Students considered to be elite athletes are entitled to a discount on the enrolment fee.

Consulta la información del programa

If you're eligible for one of these discounts and you also enrol early, the discount for early enrolment will be applied first and then the other discount will be applied to the remaining amount.

Objectives, profiles and competencies

See who this programme is for and the new competencies that you can develop.

Find out more
Academic pathway

Some programmes belongs to an academic pathway. Find out about the studies with which you can achieve your goals.

See pathway

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