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Diplomatic Service officer

Alternative titles for this job include

Diplomatic Service officers help to promote and protect British interests, businesses and citizens overseas.

Average salary (a year)

£35,000 Starter

to

£47,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

on call attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Diplomatic Service officer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You could take a degree before applying to join a graduate training scheme. Most subjects are accepted.

The Summer Internship Programme and the Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme, offer undergraduates an insight into working in the Civil Service.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Work

If you already work in the Civil Service, you can apply to join the Diplomatic Service, depending on your skills and experience.

Volunteering

It will help when applying for jobs if you have some relevant work and life experience. For example, a proven interest in other countries and culture, international relations or a foreign language.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to employers if you have some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this role.

To join as a diplomatic administrative officer you'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C). If you apply to become an operational or policy officer, you'll usually need A levels or equivalent qualifications.

You can find out more about entry to these roles from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Other Routes

If you're a graduate with at least a lower second class degree, you can apply to the Diplomatic Service Fast Stream programme, which leads to senior management posts in the service.

You can also apply through the Government Economic Service Fast Stream to join the Diplomatic Service as an economist. You'll need an upper second class degree in an economics-related subject to do this.

Further information

You can find out more about working in the Diplomatic Service through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Civil Service Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • administration skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of English language
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties will depend on your role.

You could:

  • monitor and analyse overseas events
  • develop policies and strategies towards different countries
  • deal with press and communications at home and abroad
  • give consular support to UK citizens abroad
  • process UK visa applications
  • handle queries and give advice
  • work on official documents and give admin support to other embassy staff

Working environment

You could work in an office or be based overseas.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You'll have access to a wide range of Civil Service training, designed to prepare you for your first overseas posting. This includes foreign language training.

You'll be encouraged to identify your own training needs as part of an appraisal and staff development programme.

After 2 years, you can apply to join the Fast Stream programme if your manager thinks you have the potential for senior management.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Diplomatic Service officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

L4 Diploma in Business Administration

  • Provider: WEST THAMES COLLEGE
  • Start date: 22 September 2025
  • Location: Isleworth

Business Administration BTEC Diploma

  • Provider: SOLIHULL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Solihull

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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