Registration in the Diplomatic Foundational Program

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the requirements to apply?

  • The applicant must be a Bahraini citizen
  • 32 years of age or under
  • The applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree accredited in the Kingdom of Bahrain
  • The applicant must hold one of the following English language proficiency certificates:
    • IELTS 6.5
    • TOEFL iBT 79
    • CAE
    • CPE
    • GCSE or IGCSE English as a First or Second Language C/4
    • IB English (standard or higher level) 4
    • APTIS 169
  • The applicant must be of good conduct
  • The applicant must be fit and healthy
  • Must not have been previously convicted of a felony.
  • Must not have been dismissed, within the past three years, from service by a judicial ruling or a final disciplinary decision.

• What are the stages of admission to the Foundational Diplomatic Program?

  The stages of admission to the Foundational Diplomatic Program include a comprehensive assessment designed to identify applicants with the potential to pursue a career in diplomacy. Each stage serves a specific purpose and includes the following: Written Examinations, Psychometric Test, and Personal Interview.

• What does the Arabic Language exam include?

  The Arabic Exam ranks candidates according to their level of proficiency in the Arabic language. This exam is benchmarked with language proficiency frameworks, such as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), ensuring accuracy in assessing and classifying candidates linguistically according to internationally recognized language proficiency standards. The exam consists of two sections: the first section comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is allocated 45 minutes, while the second section is an essay component designated for candidates who successfully pass the first section.

• What does the Bahrain History and Contemporary Affairs exam include?

  This exam, written in Arabic, measures the extent of candidates’ familiarity with the most important milestones and events in the history of Bahrain. It also assesses candidates’ understanding of the historical and modern context of Bahrain, and its impact on the country’s diplomatic relations in the region and the world. The exam consists of two sections, whereby the first section comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is allocated 45 minutes, while the second section is a written component designated for candidates who successfully pass the first section.(Sample Questions)

• What does the International Relations exam include?

  The International Relations exam, written in English, measures candidates’ ability to analyze questions related to international history and global affairs, and to demonstrate their understanding of historical and current world events, perspectives related to international relations, and familiarity with its terminology. The exam consists of two sections, whereby the first section comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is allocated 45 minutes, while the second section is a written component designated for candidates who successfully pass the first section. (Sample Questions)

• What does the General Knowledge exam include?

  The General Knowledge exam, written in English, measures candidates’ knowledge of global events, the most important geographical areas, and their basic understanding of the global structure. The exam also addresses current affairs and is updated periodically to keep pace with global developments. It further assesses candidates’ ability to analyze and interpret global matters. The exam consists of two sections, whereby the first section comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is allocated 45 minutes, while the second section is a written component designated for candidates who successfully pass the first section. (Sample Questions)

• What does the Personal Interview stage include?

  Personal interviews are one of the stages of admission to the Foundational Diplomatic Program. This stage evaluates candidates in terms of communication skills, interpersonal abilities, as well as general knowledge and situational analysis across various scenarios. The interviews are conducted by a committee composed of academics and specialists in the diplomatic field to ensure that candidates are assessed by experienced and knowledgeable professionals in diplomacy.

• What is the Foundational Diplomatic Program (FDP)?

  The Foundational Diplomatic Program is an intensive program held over a period of one academic year (nine calendar months) leading to the Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy. The program is the final stage of the entry-level diplomatic assessment (ELDA) and constitutes the probation period for candidates. The program is divided into three terms, one of which represents the theoretical academic aspect of diplomatic work, the other focuses on diplomatic skills and character while the third period focuses on foreign languages and practical training in different departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which gives candidates real practical experience in both the political and administrative sectors. The program attaches great importance to the application of acquired knowledge in the diplomatic context, while ensuring that candidates receive comprehensive training that is consistent with the requirements of diplomatic work.

• Questions Not Listed? Here's How to Get Support

  For any further inquiries, please reach out to us at elda@mofa.gov.bh. We will respond within 2 working days.