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Master in Negotiation
Private degree issued by Universidad Europea de Valencia
| Blended | Classes in English | Valencia | 10 months, 60 ECTS | Start: October 2026 | School of Social Sciences and Communication |
The Master in Negotiation at Universidad Europea in Valencia is a 10-month programme designed to equip you with the skills to be able to adjust your leadership strategy to any given environment.
The curriculum of the master in global leadership is designed alongside our partner, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and includes areas such as decision-making, negotiation, conflict resolution, and risk management. Many of those who complete this master go on to enjoy successful careers in politics, in diplomacy, and within large organistions, NGOs, and consulting firms.
Master's Degree recognised by the United Nations
This master’s programme is developed in collaboration with UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research). Designed and delivered with the involvement of its experts, it offers a global perspective, practical methodologies, and international quality standards—preparing you for a global career.
Testimonials
I've been provided with a valuable tools through this program, focusing on areas where I already had confidence but needed some polishing, while also developing new core soft skills such as media relations and public relations. The program has taught me how to effectively engage with stakeholders and manage relationships, which are essential in today's professional world.
Alexander Borum
Master’s student in International Leadership and Negotiation
Overall, the master's program has actually helped me secure an internship. The hiring team was very impressed with this master's degree and its partnership with UNITAR. I feel that this program opens many doors in the professional world for the future. Personally, I aspire to work at an EU institution. I am truly grateful for the opportunities this master's degree has provided me.
Marta Velasco
Master's student
There is a diverse mix of nationalities and backgrounds in the master, which is truly awesome. Having these different cultures and approaches adds great value when it comes to negotiation and leadership, and learning how to effectively engage with people. Joining this master's program has been a fantastic opportunity for me. In fact, it has prepared me well for my future career aspirations in high-level consulting within multinational corporations
Gonzalo Velasco
Master's student
Featured Activities
Study Trip to Geneva: United Nations and International Organizations
Enhance your global perspective through an academic trip to Geneva, one of the world’s leading hubs for diplomacy and international cooperation.
During this experience, you will visit key institutions such as the Palais des Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Red Cross, and UNITAR headquarters. Through exclusive sessions and direct interaction with professionals, you will gain a practical understanding of how negotiation, international cooperation, and decision-making processes unfold in real multilateral environments.
Sessions at the Valencia Campus
Strengthen your leadership profile through on-campus sessions at Universidad Europea de Valencia, where you will learn alongside an international cohort of students and professionals.
Through dynamic learning experiences, case-based discussions, and interactive workshops, you will develop essential skills in leadership, negotiation, and strategic thinking in multicultural contexts—while building a valuable global network.
Visit to the United Nations in Valencia: Operational Environment
Gain first-hand insight into the operational side of global organizations through a visit to the United Nations Support Base in Valencia (UNSB-V), one of the UN’s key logistics and technology hubs in Europe.
During this experience, you will explore how global operations, digital transformation, and large-scale logistical support are managed, bringing you closer to the reality of working in international organizations and understanding their global impact.
Study plan
What will you learn on the Master’s?
Learn all of the techniques necessary to become a a sucessful leader and negotiator in differnent environments.
Syllabus structure
Module I. Introduction to Leadership
Introduction to Leadership - 5 ECTS
Module II. The Process of Decision-Making
The Process of Decision-Making - 5 ECTS
Module III. Leadership Skills and Risk Management
Leadership Skills and Risk Management - 5 ECTS
Module IV. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination - 5 ECTS
Module V Negotiation Skills and Techniques
Negotiation Skills and Techniques - 5 ECTS
Module VI. Overcoming Negotiation Deadlocks
Overcoming Negotiation Deadlocks - 5 ECTS
Module VII. Conference Diplomacy and Multilateral Negotiations
Conference Diplomacy and Multilateral Negotiations - 5 ECTS
Module VIII. Mediation, Conflict Resolution and Difficult Conversations
Mediation, Conflict Resolution and Difficult Conversations - 5 ECTS
Module IX. Training Workshop: Public Speaking and Media Relations
Training Workshop: Public Speaking and Media Relations - 5 ECTS
Module X. Transversal Project Presentation por Humanitarian Negotiation Strategies with a UN Specialist
Transversal Project Presentation por Humanitarian Negotiation Strategies with a UN Specialist - 5 ECTS
Module XI. Final Research Paper
Final Research Paper - 10 ECTS
Employability
Graduates of the Master in International Leadership and Negotiation are prepared to lead and negotiate in complex, multicultural environments. The programme opens career paths across international organisations, public institutions, NGOs, and multinational companies.
Diplomat / International Relations Officer
Work in embassies, ministries, or international institutions, managing relationships between countries and participating in high-level negotiations and decision-making processes.
International Organisations & United Nations Careers
Access professional opportunities within the UN system, EU institutions, and other multilateral organisations, contributing to global initiatives in areas such as development, sustainability, and governance.
Negotiation & Mediation Specialist
Support organisations in resolving conflicts, facilitating agreements, and managing complex negotiations in corporate, political, or humanitarian contexts.
NGO & International Project Manager
Lead international projects in NGOs and foundations, coordinating stakeholders, managing resources, and delivering impact in diverse global environments.
Consultant in Strategy & International Affairs
Advise companies, governments, and organisations on international strategy, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and global expansion.
Corporate Affairs & Stakeholder Manager
Manage institutional relations, public affairs, and key stakeholder engagement within multinational companies or global organisations.
Public Affairs & Communication Specialist
Develop communication strategies in international contexts, working with institutions, think tanks, or organisations with global reach.
Leadership Roles in Multinational Companies
Apply advanced negotiation and leadership skills to manage teams, drive transformation, and lead projects in international business environments.
Admissions
Start your future at Universidad Europea
You can become a student at Universidad Europea in three easy steps.
1
Admission exams
Start your admission process by calling +34 961113845 or request information and our advisors will contact you.
2
Place reservation
Once you have been admitted, secure your place by paying the reservation fee.
3
Enrollment
Submit the required documents to formalise your enrollment.
Scholarships and financial aid
We want to help you. If you want to study at Universidad Europea, you will have at your disposal a wide selection of own and official scholarships.
Credit recognition and transfers
You don’t have to stick with something you don’t like. That’s why we’ve designed specific plans for credit recognition and transfers.
Request your online credit recognition review, transfer your academic file and start studying at Universidad Europea.
Admissions Process
Admissions to the Graduate School at Universidad Europea are open year-round, although registration in any of its programmes is subject to the number of spaces available.
If you would like to receive personalised advice from the Graduate Admissions team, you can visit us at our campus (Paseo de la Alameda 7 ), or contact us via:
Telephone: (+34) 96 104 3883
Come and see the campus
Get to know the facilities and discover why Universidad Europea is made for you.
Our professors
Classes will be taught by professors with proven international experience in leadership, negotiation, and diplomacy.
Our professors
- Jorge Mestre
Programm director
Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a Master in Global Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS, University of London). Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. He has worked for over five years at the Council of Europe and as an advisor for conflict resolution in Eastern Europe. His lines of research are diplomacy, negotiation, and international sanctions.
- Maria Edera Spadoni
Maria Edera Spadoni is a public affairs expert and former Italian politician with over nine years of experience in public service, committed to global development and gender equity. As a Member of Parliament and Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, she led legislative reforms and promoted gender analysis in policymaking. She chaired the Committee on Agenda 2030, advancing Sustainable Development Goals, and authored a motion at the Council of Europe on data collection regarding violence against women. She has been working with UNITAR on diplomatic training and advised The Good Food Institute on legislative advocacy.
Currently, she serves as Chief of Staff for the Department of Digital Agenda, Legality, and Poverty Alleviation at Regione Emilia-Romagna, supporting inclusive policies, strategic collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. A member of the Parliamentary Intergroup for Women’s Rights since 2015 and part of the Women Political Leaders network, she specializes in communication, strategic partnerships, and inclusive policy development.
- Marco Gombacci
Marco Gombacci is an Italian foreign policy advisor and geopolitical analyst with extensive institutional and field experience. He currently serves as Special Advisor on International Affairs to the Italian Government, supporting the Deputy Minister for Energy Security and Environment, and as Advisor on Foreign and Defense Policy at the Italian Senate. Previously, he worked as a Foreign Policy Advisor at the European Parliament, focusing on international relations, defense, and strategic security. Since 2020, he has been a lecturer at the European University of Valencia,. He has also developed a strong background as a journalist and war correspondent, reporting from major conflict zones such as Iraq, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine.
- Pedro Vázquez de Prada Palencia
Pedro Vázquez de Prada Palencia is professor of international relations at the University of Navarra. He has worked in public service for more than thirty-five years, ending his military career as Colonel of the Spanish Army. His experience encompasses leading at various levels and environments, to include commanding of a multinational task force in Iraq. He has worked at Head of State, Ministry of Defence, and Interagency levels. He completed his public service after four years at the Strategy and Plans directorate at the Pentagon (USA). He is the Director of the Disaster Relief Division at GAHN Madrid, and teaches international leadership and negotiation at Universidad Europea in Valencia.
- Meritxell Martell
Meritxell Martell is the founder and director of Merience, a consultancy company focused on environmental risk governance, including the analysis and development of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies and methodologies in the field of complex socio-technical processes. Dr. Martell is a graduate of Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, Barcelona, Spain) and she received her PhD in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia (UEA, Norwich, United Kingdom) in 2001.
She has over 20 years of experience as an international consultant on communication and stakeholder engagement in complex environmental decision-making processes. She also lectures at UPC and UPF in environmental communication Master courses. In addition, Meritxell has successfully participated and coordinated several European projects and is an expert consultant to different international organisations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission or the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. Since 2020, Meritxell is also the Executive Director of the Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities (GMF).
- Juan Bustamante
Colonel in the Spanish Army (active until summer 2023). Extensive command experience in Reconnaissance Cavalry units at regiment, battalion, and company level, with operational deployments in Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Bosnia. Holds a university degree in Political Science and brings eight years of experiencia in strategic communications at Army level, within the Joint Staff, and at NATO.
- Jerome L'host
Jerome L'host is one of UNITAR’s longstanding collaborators. He is a Senior Consultant based in Geneva, Dubai, and Moscow, working internationally with both the private and public sectors, delivering a comprehensive range of training and coaching services. As part of his vast teaching and coaching experiences, Mr. Lhost has worked with diplomatic academies worldwide, for example in Algeria, Indonesia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Qatar. In total, Mr. Lhost has managed over 60 large-scale international projects in more than 80 different countries. He has engaged with more than 160 companies/organisations worldwide and delivered trainings for more than 25,000 participants.
- Dr. Julio Borges
Julio Borges is a Venezuelan-born intellectual, professor, and political leader with extensive international experience in the fields of leadership, negotiation, and democratic governance. He has served as President of Venezuela’s National Assembly and has been actively involved in promoting democratic values and human rights worldwide. Master's degree in Political and Social Philosophy from Boston College (1994), Master's degree in Public Policy and Latin American Studies from Oxford University (1996) and Doctorate in Philosophy from Universidad Santo Tomas (2023), Borges has been a visiting scholar and lecturer at leading universities in Europe and the United States, focusing on decision-making, political leadership, and international relations. His academic and professional trajectory combines rigorous philosophical training with hands-on political practice, making him uniquely positioned to teach the complexities of decision-making in individual, organizational, and geopolitical contexts.
- Dr. Alexandre Tavadian
Alexandre Tavadian, Ph.D., works as the Principal Legal Advisor of a large NATO agency headquartered in Luxembourg. Before joining NATO, he worked as a lawyer at UNHCR and the United Nations Secretariat in Lebanon, Kenya, and Thailand. Alexandre Tavadian began his legal career in the Canadian federal public service, where he worked as Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice Canada. He is the author of several books and articles, including The United Nations Law, Politics, and Practice (2021) and The International Civil Service: Redefining Its Independence (2024).
- Jorge Mestre-Jordá
Jorge Mestre is the Academic Director of the Master in International Leadership & Negotiation at Universidad Europea, in partnership with UNITAR. He has over 20 years of experience in communication, diplomacy, and higher education. He has worked on the ground with international organizations such as the Council of Europe, focusing on negotiation and conflict resolution.
- Dr. Rubén Herrero de Castro
He holds a PhD in International Relations and Political Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid (2000). He has been a professor of International Relations at the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology of the UCM since 2006 and is the author of several books on International Relations, United States Foreign Policy and Global geopolitics. He has published chapters and articles with various prestigious publishers and magazines and collaborates with various media outlets as a political analyst on national and international news.
- Ian Rigden
Ian is an experienced professional in negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution, with a career spanning military service and humanitarian work. He served for 37 years in the British Army as an infantry officer with the Gurkhas, with deployments in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Nepal.
After retiring in 2017, he worked for nearly eight years with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to the Myanmar peace process and other regional initiatives. He is currently Director of Training and Partnerships at the International Mediation Campus (IMC), part of the CONSENSUS Group.
He holds Master’s degrees in Defence Studies from King’s College London and Strategic Studies from the US Army War College, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
- Ben Smith
Ben is a Mediation Advisor with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), where he provides strategic, substantive and technical advice to mediators and conflict parties. He also heads a programme looking at the intersection between Crime and Peacemaking. Prior to joining HD, Ben worked with the United Nations (UN) for thirteen years, specializing in mediation / political affairs, the security sector, peacekeeping and transnational crime. He was based with the UN in several countries, including Nepal, South Sudan, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. At the start of his UN career, Ben negotiated UN General Assembly resolutions on behalf of the EU and the UK. Ben is a member of several expert groups, including the UN High-Level Expert Group on Transnational Crime. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s degree in Modern History and Modern Languages from the University of Oxford.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with a masters in Leadership?
A masters in Leadership and Negotiation will allow you to develop many transferable skills that can be applied in different situations, sectors, and industries, so you can be a change maker in any organisation or company. The programme at Universidad Europea is designed for those who aim for roles in the international relations sector, working as diplomats or within the United Nations, for example.
Is a masters of Leadership worth it?
Yes! If you study a masters in Leadership, you will gain valuable skills such as communication, learn how to negotiate and more. In addition, as an international programme, you will study alongside students from all over the world, offering you an opportunity to expand your professional and personal network.
How long is a master in Negotiation?
The master in Leadership and Negotiation at Universidad Europea last for 10 months and consists of 60 ECTS. As part of the programme, you will work alongside our partner UNITAR, an institution that is part of the UN and whose aim is to train future leaders. In addition, you can also take part in a trip to Geneva to get to know first-hand the inner workings of the UN.
What will I study on a master in Leadership and Negotiation?
This master is focused on the field of international relations and the study plan is tailored as so. If you choose to study this programme, some of the subjects you will cover include:
- The decision-making process
- Leadership skills and risk management
- Negotiation skills and techniques
- How to overcome deadlocks in a negotiation
- Mediation and conflict resolution