Students from the MSc Diplomacy & International Security programme during their visit to the British Embassy in Paris
Students on the MSc Diplomacy and International Security recently visited the British Embassy in Paris as part of the programme’s practitioner engagement events, which enrich the academic curriculum with real‑world insight.
Dr Rogelia Pastor-Castro, the programme’s director, organised the visit which included talks from Andrew Dalgleish (Deputy Head of Mission), Anna Goward (First Secretary), Anne-Claire Deseilligny (Senior Political Officer), and Pauline Dubost (European Policy Officer).
Their discussions covered Franco‑British cooperation, the current international security landscape, the UK–EU reset, and various facets of diplomatic life. Students gained valuable insights into the day‑to‑day work of diplomats and the functions of an embassy.
They also toured the Ambassador’s residence and learned about its rich history. Located a short walk from the Élysée Palace, the building was once owned by Pauline Borghese, Napoleon’s sister, and was purchased by the British government in 1814 for the Duke of Wellington, then Ambassador to France. The house still retains a large part of those contents including chandeliers, clocks, candelabra, as well as furniture. The house remains the finest of all British embassy residences and one of the most interesting in Paris.
Dr Pastor‑Castro has maintained a longstanding relationship with the embassy. In 2014, Ambassador Sir Peter Ricketts invited her to present her publication Paris Embassy: British Ambassadors and Anglo‑French Relations 1944–79. She later organised a colloquium at the residence on ‘Britain, France, and the Second World War.’ Since then, she has collaborated with Ambassador Lord Llewellyn on events commemorating the Liberation of Paris and has participated in conferences on Franco‑British defence cooperation and NATO. In 2023, she convened a colloquium, hosted by Ambassador Dame Menna Rawlings, as part of her AHRC‑funded project The Weight of the Past on Franco‑British Relations.
Students have shared their experiences on LinkedIn, emphasising how practitioner engagement complements the academic content of the course. They praised both the programme and the overall student experience, expressing gratitude to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for supporting the visit.
The MSc Diplomacy and International Security is a multidisciplinary programme that draws on the Faculty’s expertise in History, Politics, and Law to prepare graduates for a range of careers including diplomacy, the civil service, NGOs, and banking and finance.
For further information about the programme, please visit MSc Diplomacy and International Security