phd in international relations politics

Graduate Program

Pushing the Scholarly Frontier

PhD in Political Science

Our doctoral students are advancing political science as a discipline. They explore the empirical phenomena that produce new scholarly insights—insights that improve the way governments and societies function. As a result, MIT Political Science graduates are sought after for top teaching and research positions in the U.S. and abroad. Read where program alumni are working around the world.

How the PhD program works

The MIT PhD in Political Science requires preparation in two of these major fields:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Models and Methods
• Political Economy
• Security Studies

We recommend that you take a broad array of courses across your two major fields. In some cases, a single course may overlap across the subject matter of both fields. You may not use more than one such course to "double count" for the course distribution requirement. Keep in mind that specific fields may have additional requirements.

You are free to take subjects in other departments across the Institute. Cross-registration arrangements also permit enrollment in subjects taught in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University and in some of Harvard's other graduate schools.

Requirements

1. number of subjects.

You will need two full academic years of work to prepare for the general examinations and to meet other pre-dissertation requirements. Typically, a minimum of eight graduate subjects are required for a PhD.

2. Scope and Methods

This required one-semester seminar for first-year students introduces principles of empirical and theoretical analysis in political science.

3. Statistics

You must successfully complete at least one class in statistics.

You must successfully complete at least one class in empirical research methods.

5. Philosophy

You must successfully complete at least one class in political philosophy.

6. Foreign language or advanced statistics

You must demonstrate reading proficiency in one language other than English by successfully completing two semesters of intermediate-level coursework or an exam in that language, or you must demonstrate your knowledge of advanced statistics by successfully completing three semesters of coursework in advanced statistics. International students whose native language is not English are not subject to the language requirement.

7. Field research

We encourage you to conduct field research and to develop close working ties with faculty members engaged in major research activities.

8. Second Year Paper/workshop

You must complete an article-length research paper and related workshop in the spring semester of the second year. The second-year paper often develops into a dissertation project.

9. Two examinations

In each of your two elected fields, you must take a general written and oral examination. To prepare for these examinations, you should take at least three courses in each of the two fields, including the field seminar.

10. Doctoral thesis

As a rule, the doctoral thesis requires at least one year of original research and data collection. Writing the dissertation usually takes a substantially longer time. The thesis process includes a first and second colloquium and an oral defense. Be sure to consult the MIT Specifications for Thesis Preparation as well as the MIT Political Science Thesis Guidelines . Consult the MIT academic calendar to learn the due date for final submission of your defended, signed thesis.

Questions? Consult the MIT Political Science Departmental Handbook or a member of the staff in the MIT Political Science Graduate Office .

Department of Political Science

Graduate Program

Yale’s Ph.D. program has a strong historical record of producing leading scholars in the field of Political Science. (Please note: The department does not offer a stand-alone MA in Political Science. Information about the Jackson Institute MPP in Global Affairs .) Many Yale graduates have also had successful careers in government, politics, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. This historical strength is matched by a strong faculty deeply engaged in training current graduate students to succeed in contemporary Political Science.

One of the Department’s strengths is substantive and methodological pluralism—there is no single “Yale way,” and our students and faculty are motivated by a range of questions in and across the subfields of Political Science. At the same time as we acknowledge this diversity of interests, the Department’s curriculum is designed to ensure students have adequate opportunities to master the core tools of contemporary social science research, including a four-course sequence in quantitative methodology and research design (statistics), a two course sequence in formal theory, courses on experimental design, implementation, and analysis, and a training program in qualitative and archival methodology.

The Department also offers training in five substantive subfields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Economy, and Political Theory. In each of these subfields, faculty regularly teach courses that expose students to both the foundational work in these areas and current active research topics. In many subfields, this training takes the form of formal or informal “sequences,” for example Comparative Politics I and II are taught each year. These classes are supplemented by topical seminars on selected and advanced topics.

In addition to regular courses, the Department and affiliated institutions (in particular, the MacMillan Center and the Institution for Social and Policy Studies) host a variety of (near-)weekly workshops in which outside speakers and Yale affiliates present and discuss work. These workshops provide a unique opportunity for students to observe the work of leading scholars, as well as to develop their own research in conjunction with faculty and student review. Information about these workshops is available here.

Students will also take two courses as a cohort. The first, Introduction to Politics, is for all Ph.D. students in their first semester. The second, Research and Writing, spans the second year and is centered on students producing a publishable quality research paper prior to embarking on the dissertation. Students in Research and Writing present their final paper in the Department’s mini-APSA conference in April.

About eighteen students enter the Ph.D. program each year. The total number of students in residence at any one time, including students working on their dissertations, is approximately 100, of whom about 40 are taking courses.

The Director of Graduate Studies for the Political Science Department is Hélène Landemore . Professor Landemore’s DGS office is located in Room 234  in Rosenkranz Hall, 115 Prospect Street. To contact Professor Landemore or sign up for DGS office hours, email her at dgs.polisci@yale.edu .

The Graduate program registrar is Colleen Amaro.  Her office is located in Room 230 in Rosenkranz Hall, 115 Prospect Street. She can be contacted by email at colleen.amaro@yale.edu .

International Relations

Explores the interaction between states, international law, non-state actors and market forces. 

Traditional subjects of interest have concerned interstate war, deterrence, cooperation, alliances, the balance of power, economic sanctions, economic growth and stability, and international institutions.

Princeton's international relations faculty conduct research and train students across the field's full range of theories and methods (historical, statistical and formal); and substantive research interests (security studies, international law and organization, political economy, transnational civil society, and normative analysis). 

Centers & Programs

The Center for International Security Studies provides a home for the study and debate of national and international security at Princeton University and supports a variety of educational, research, enrichment, and outreach activities with the intent of generating new knowledge on issues of fundamental importance and educating the next generation of strategic thinkers and decision makers. It also seeks to establish research and policy links with other institutions around the world. Professors Aaron L. Friedberg and G. John Ikenberry serve as Co-Directors of the Center.

The Niehaus Center for Globalization and Governance (NCGG) was created in the fall 2004 under the umbrella of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. The Center is a large and dynamic community of scholars and students interested in both the academic and policy dimensions of globalization and international governance. It directs a visiting fellows program, fosters greater integration among various parts of the social sciences at Princeton University and promotes engagement with the broader academic and policy community. It involves graduate students and faculty from the Politics Department, among other departments, in its conferences, workshops and research groups.  

The Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) offers a variety of programs for students, faculty and visiting scholars that support research, learning and dialogue on world cultures and issues of global importance. 

The Program on Race, Ethnicity, and Identity in Politics (PREIP) organizes thematic events and other initiatives linked to the study of race, ethnicity, and identity, including a department-wide speakers’ series and workshops on research issues related to the study of the politics of racial, ethnic, and other minoritized subpopulations. This inter-subfield program intends to create a supportive and generative community of faculty and graduate students working on a range of related topics including racism, colonialism, citizenship, contentious politics, social movements, and gender inequalities.

Christopher Blair

Aaron Friedberg

Naima Green-Riley

G. John Ikenberry

John B. Londregan

Helen V. Milner

Andrew Moravcsik

Layna Mosley

Kristopher Ramsay

Jacob N. Shapiro

James raymond vreeland.

Doctoral Program

Program Overview

The principal goal of the Stanford Ph.D. program in political science is the training of scholars. Most students who receive doctorates in the program do research and teach at colleges or universities. We offer courses and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields in the discipline, including American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology. The program is built around small seminars that analyze critically the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam requirement within a two-year period and for work on the doctoral dissertation.

PhD in International Relations

Engage in problem-driven research with a truly global focus

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in International Relations trains scholars to conduct cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research across key areas of international affairs and political science. A combination of in-depth hands-on fieldwork and comprehensive theoretical study enables Fletcher's PhD students to uncover the meaningful questions that ultimately shape both their future research and their careers.

Developing tomorrow's thought leaders

With approximately 50 students engaged in coursework or research, the PhD program is an integral and vibrant component of the Fletcher community. Working alongside our world-renowned faculty, Fletcher doctoral candidates acquire the theoretical and practical skills needed to produce research that will help shape future discourse on international relations. After completing their degrees, graduates go on to successful high-level careers in academia and research, and in the non-profit, government, and private sectors.

Fletcher’s PhD candidates come from around the world, bringing perspectives and experiences that inform their research and goals.  Get to know their stories and learn how they plan to shape the future of international affairs.

After completing their degrees, doctoral graduates go on to successful high-level careers in academia and research, and in the non-profit, government, and private sectors.  They make their impact on an array of fields, often maintaining a presence in both academia and practice.

Fletcher PhD students move through three program phases on their way from admission to graduation. They start with classes, arranged within a structured curriculum that still allows significant flexibility in course selection. When their class requirements are complete, students take comprehensive exams, and then move on as PhD candidates to research and write a dissertation.

Shaping Your PhD Through Coursework

In shaping their curriculum, students start with a primary field of study, through which they develop a depth of expertise unique to their interests. The primary fields of study that support PhD studies are:

• Comparative and Regional Studies
• Gender and Intersectional Analysis
• Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
• International Business
• International Development and Environmental Policy
• International Security

Students build on their primary field of expertise by developing a breadth of foundational knowledge in a second field of study, which can be any of the  fields offered at Fletcher  or might be a self-designed field. Regardless of their choice of field, all students also pursue foundational courses in international relations theory and in research methodology. The two fields of study later become the basis for comprehensive exams.

Students seeking additional opportunities to individualize their studies may cross-register for up to a quarter of their classes at another graduate school at Tufts University or at Harvard University.

Students who have received their master's degree at another institution generally pursue twelve courses at Fletcher, with limited opportunities to have prior coursework applied to their degree. Those who possess a MALD generally pursue an additional four courses, for a total of twenty courses for the two degrees.

Demonstrating Knowledge Through Comprehensive Examinations

Students demonstrate mastery of their subjects through comprehensive examinations, composed of a written exam in each of the two fields of study and an oral exam that integrates the material from the two areas. Students generally sit for their comprehensive examinations within a year of completing their coursework.

Developing and Writing a Dissertation

Once they have passed their comprehensive exams and achieved PhD candidacy, students move on to propose, research, and write a dissertation. The completed dissertation should bear evidence of independent research and constitute a substantial contribution on the subject. When the dissertation is complete, the PhD candidate participates in a public oral defense of the dissertation.

Additional Graduation Requirements

In addition to the steps detailed above, students in the PhD program:

• Demonstrate proficiency in a second language.
• Submit a master's thesis for evaluation by a Fletcher faculty member. This could be a master's thesis written prior to enrollment at Fletcher, or a thesis written during the first year at Fletcher.

Length of Time Required to Receive the PhD

Once they have completed their coursework, PhD students generally take about five years to complete the degree, but the exact time varies according to the scope of each candidate's research, the amount of time devoted to PhD studies, and the time needed to research and write the dissertation.

Professional Development Opportunities

Fletcher's Office of Career Services  works with PhD students interested in a career in international relations practice. Our graduates have pursued careers at a wide range of institutions and organizations. For those focused on the academic job market, Fletcher offers support at a variety of levels. Fletcher faculty and the Office of Career Services support job candidates with career advice, professional development, and general assistance.

To develop teaching skills, students can participate in Tufts University’s three-week summer intensive  Graduate Institute for Teaching  and then to co-teach a class with a faculty mentor. Many students have also developed and taught classes in the University’s  Osher Institute  or  Experimental College .

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MPhil/PhD International Relations

• Graduate research
• Department of International Relations
• Application code M1ZR
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Closed
• Overseas full-time: Closed
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers you the chance to be part of one of the world's leading departments in the study of international relations while you undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to international relations. You will begin on the MPhil and be upgraded to PhD status after passing a research panel within 18 months of initial registration.

The Department is organised around four Research Clusters: International Institutions, Law and Ethics ; Theory/Area/History ; International Political Economy ; and Statecraft and Security . You will belong to at least one of these clusters during your studies and attend its weekly events. You will also have the chance to participate in the editing of a student-run journal  Millennium: Journal of International Studies , which has a major role in the discipline.

The Department has particular strengths in international relations theory, security studies, international political economy, and European studies. As well as Europe, its specialist areas cover Russia, Central, Northeast and Southeast Asia, the USA, South America, the Middle East and Africa. Other areas of research strength include foreign policy analysis, nationalism, religion, historical sociology, international environmental politics and strategic and war studies. Many individuals contribute to more than one of these subjects, and there is interdisciplinary work with colleagues in the Departments of Government and International History, as well as through the many research centres at the School.

Programme details

Entry requirements, minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd international relations.

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a high merit (65+) in a master’s degree in a subject relevant to the proposed research with high merit (65+) in the dissertation element, or equivalent. Applications which do not meet these criteria (or do not expect to do so on completion of any pending qualifications) are not considered eligible.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that meeting our minimum entry requirement, does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying. 

We encourage research projects which will expand and diversify the research profile of the Department. 

We strongly encourage applications from high calibre students of all nationalities studying across all research areas at the School but, in particular, we are seeking to support applications from: 

UK students  

Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) students, especially from Black African / Caribbean, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage 

Please note : Prospective candidates are not expected to contact potential supervisors in advance of their application. Due to the high volume of enquiries, potential supervisors are unlikely to be able to provide feedback on enquiries and outline proposals. Individual academic members of staff are not able to make commitments to supervise prospective students outside of the formal application process.

We apply our entry criteria rigorously, so if you do not already meet or expect to meet them with any pending qualifications, you will not be eligible. We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - statement of academic purpose - references - CV - a research proposal of up to 4000 words with a title and abstract (300 words max) included at the beginning. The proposal should meet the criteria outlined on the Department  MPhil/PhD webpage - sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

When to apply

The application and funding deadline for this programme is 15 January 2024 . See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme.  The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD International Relations

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.  

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well. A list of external sources of PhD funding can be found on the Department  MPhil/PhD webpage under the Funding section.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

In addition to progressing with your research, you will take courses in methods and research design. You may take courses in addition to those listed and should discuss this with your supervisor.

At the end of your first year, you will need to satisfy certain requirements and if you meet these, will be retroactively upgraded to PhD status.

(* denotes half unit course)

Training courses

Methods in International Relations Research    -  Compulsory (not examined) Familiarises students with the principal approaches to contemporary research in the main branches of International Relations and to help students identify the appropriate methodology for their project. 

Research Methods Training - Compulsory (examined) You will be required to take compulsory assessed courses to the combined value of one unit from the range of quantitative and qualitative research methods topics listed below. 

Your selection of research methods should be agreed in consultation with your supervisor. You could take a different research methods course from those listed below, if this is better suited to your topic but this would need to be approved by their supervisor first.

• Bayesian Reasoning for Qualitative Social Science: A Modern Approach to Case Study Inference*
• Qualitative Methods in the Study of Politics
• Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design
• Qualitative Research Methods 
• Case Studies and Comparative Methods for Qualitative Research
• Doing Ethnography 
• Qualitative Text and Discourse Analysis 
• Introduction to Quantitative Analysis*
• Applied Regression Analysis
• Multivariate Analysis and Measurement
• Survey Methodology
• Causal Inference for Observational and Experimental Studies
• Special Topics in Quantitative Analysis: Quantitative Text Analysis*
• Social Network Analysis
• Intermediate Quantitative Analysis
• Computer Programming
• Applied Machine Learning for Social Science
• Computing Packages for Applied Analysis

Research Cluster Workshops -  Compulsory (not examined) Students will select from the below options:

• Theory/Area/History
• Security and Statecraft
• International Institutions, Law and Ethics
• International Political Economy

Transferable skills courses

• Workshop in Information Literacy: Finding, managing and organising published research and data -  Aims to develop students' research skills and introduce the essential sources and tools when undertaking research, and the skills required to use them.
• Relevant courses provided by the Library, the Eden Centre and the Methodology Department -   Optional (not examined)

Second year

Fourth year.

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar ,  or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information  page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision.

You will be assigned a lead supervisor who has the necessary expertise to oversee your research work. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies and are your main support contact during the PhD programme.

During your first year you will attend and contribute to the Methods in International Relations Research seminar ( IR501 ), one of the Department Research Cluster workshops and take research methods training courses to the combined value of one unit from the recommended list courses. These are designed to strengthen your methodological skills and background knowledge of specific topics related to your research.  During the second, third and fourth years you will also attend and contribute to one of the Department Research Cluster workshops.

You will also be assigned an adviser, a member of the International Relations faculty who will be familiar with your progress but will not necessarily be an expert in your research area. Your adviser will be involved in the review and upgrade process.

Progression and assessment

Each PhD thesis is unique, but the time frame everyone has to complete their thesis is four years.

All MPhil/PhD students at LSE are initially registered with MPhil status. Continued re-registration and upgrade are dependent on satisfactory progress being made. 

Progress will be reviewed annually by a research panel made up of members of academic staff other than the supervisor. Students are normally upgraded to PhD status by the end of the first year, and no later than within 18 months of initial registration in line with Research Degrees Regulations. The Annual Progress Review may result in a decision allowing progression to the next academic session, conditional progression to the next academic session, or a recommendation of de-registration.

In order to progress to PhD registration, you must normally have met the progression requirements outlined below:

• Achieved a mark of at least 50% in each of the required examined graduate-level course units in Research Methods training;
• Have made satisfactory progress in your research: this will be assessed by a face-to-face review panel involving two academic staff members and including the views of the supervisor. Review panels will be formed in consultation with the supervisor.

By the end of your first year, you will be required to submit a statement of research including a research outline and one draft chapter of no more than 10,000 words. The proposal, which should illustrate your command of the theoretical and empirical literature related to your topic, will be a clear statement of the theoretical and methodological approach you will take.  This should demonstrate the coherence and feasibility of the proposed research and thesis. The submission will also include a timetable to completion, which should identify any periods of fieldwork necessary to your research. Panels will normally take place in week 2-4 of the Spring Term.

The material submitted  will be also discussed and commented upon at IR501 lab sessions.

•       Regular attendance at IR501 and the IR Research Cluster Workshop will be taken into account for progression: at least 80% attendance is expected.

In the unlikely event where a student is successful at passing the upgrade panel but requires a second attempt at completing the Research Methods Courses, they may be authorised to be upgraded but would be required to pass the course by the end of their second year in order to re-register.

Progress review

After the first year review panel, progress will be reviewed annually as per Regulations for Research Degrees.

In year 2, you will be expected to submit two additional draft chapters and a timetable to completion which will be reviewed by the same panellists as in Year 1. The two chapters should be substantially new work, but may include revised material from year 1. A virtual panel meeting will be scheduled in week 2-4 of the Spring Term and make recommendations on further progression based on progress made and quality of work submitted, as well as attendance at a Cluster Workshop.

Students in their third year of registration will be required to submit an annual progress report at the end of June, including a timetable to completion clearly setting out the work completed and remaining on the student’s research, as well as their commitment to a Research Cluster. These will need to be approved by the supervisor and reviewed by the Doctoral Programme Director in order to authorise re-registration.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Preliminary reading

• The Professor Is In: The Essential Guide to Turning your PhD into a Job.  Karen Kelsky    (Three Rivers Press, 2015)
•   How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing.  Paul J. Silvia (American Psychological Association, 2007)

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of International Relations

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £32,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Financial and Professional Services              
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Information, Digital Technology and Data            
• International Organisations

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Recent doctoral graduates have also gone into careers in consultancy, education and teaching, NGOs and charities, international organisations and to roles within the public sector and government.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme Hear from some recent graduates

Heidi Ning Kang Wang-Kaeding Assistant Professor in Asian Politics, Department of Political Science, Trinity College Dublin

Mark Kersten Research Fellow, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto; Director of Research, Wayamo Foundation

Elisabetta Brighi Lecturer in International Relations, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster

Check our recent completion page .

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

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Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

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Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

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Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

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MPhil/PhD International History

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MPhil/PhD European Studies

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MPhil/PhD Gender

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MRes/PhD International Development

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PhD Political Science (International Relations)

McMaster has nine full time faculty members who specialize in teaching and conducting research in international relations. Our PhD International Relations program’s strengths are in the fields of:

• Canadian Foreign Policy
• Critical International Relations Theory
• Critical Security Studies
• Global Governance
• Global Political Economy
• Politics of the Global South

About the Program

McMaster’s PhD is one of the strongest critical international relations programs in the country. Critical IR approaches reveal the unequal power relations of world order and seek to challenge those conditions. We draw on a wide variety of theoretical traditions including constructivist, ecological, feminist, historical materialist, post-colonial and post-structural approaches.

Faculty members have overlapping interests in alternative diplomacies, citizenship studies and transnational social movements, climate change, international political economy, international relations theory, global governance, post-colonialism and politics of the global south. PhD students are encouraged to take advantage of the activities of the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition , as well as our annual student focused Mapping the Global Dimensions of Policy conference .

Research Opportunities Several faculty members in the department have funded research programs that provide potential opportunities for collaboration or research assistant positions for PhD students enrolled in political science. Potential PhD students with research interests or preparation that align with one of the projects below should contact the relevant faculty member(s) as they prepare their applications for admission to the PhD program.

Faculty Specializing in International Relations:

Nathan Andrews : Political Economy of Resource Extraction, Social/Development Policy, Global Governance, International Relations Theory & Critical Pedagogy

Marshall Beier : Critical Approaches to Security, Militarization of Childhood, Indigeneity & International Relations, International Relations Theory

Thomas Marois : Neoliberalism & Development, Public Banking, Political Economy

Stephen McBride : North American Political Economy, Trade & Investment Governance, Austerity

Peter Nyers : Critical Security Studies, Citizenship, Borders, Refugees, Undocumented Migration

Robert O’Brien : Global Political Economy, Labour Internationalism, Global Civil Society, Climate Change, Global Governance

Tony Porter : Global Governance & Standard Setting, International Finance

Alina Sajed : Post-colonial International Relations, Political Violence & Revolution, Global South

Lana Wylie : Canadian & US Foreign Policy, Alternative Diplomacy, Cuba

In addition, several other faculty members have an interest in International Relations:

Michelle Dion : Comparative Politics, Gender & Politics, Globalization, Public Policy, Social & Health Policy

Catherine Frost : Communications, Globalization, Nationalism, Political Theory, Politics & History, Politics of Representation

Ahmed Shafiqul Huque : Public Policy & Public Administration in the Global South

James Ingram : Critical International Relations, Globalization, Political Theory, Post-colonial Theory

Inder Marwah : Critical International Relations, Globalization, Political Theory, Politics of Representation

Netina Tan : Sources of Authoritarian Resilience, Political Representation of Women & Ethnic Minorities in Asia & Globally

Requirements and Timelines

The International Relations doctoral program is designed to equip graduates to conduct research and teach at the university level in International Relations and one other field chosen from Canadian politics, comparative politics, public policy, or political theory.

Students take six courses, including three required ones. They then prepare comprehensive examinations in their two major fields, which they write in August of their first year and December of their second year. Students also fulfill a language requirement to demonstrate their competency in a language other than English which is relevant to their research. This is normally done before the approval of the thesis proposal.

The remainder of the program involves preparing a thesis proposal, and then completing and defending the dissertation.

A thesis proposal will normally be submitted in April of the student’s second year. The thesis should normally be no more than 60,000 words long, and it is expected that the thesis will be finished about two years after the proposal is approved. Overall, then, full-time students are expected to take about four years to complete the program. Part-time students may take up to eight years to complete the degree but are encouraged to finish in less time.

Admissions and Applications

Admission to the PhD program will normally require a Master’s degree in political science with an average of at least an A– (A minus).

Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members in the Department of Political Science regarding potential supervision.

Required Application Documents:

Graduate Studies Online Application

Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens October 1st each year. In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below. Most required documents must be submitted through the online application.

Statement of Interest 

• An electronic statement of interest (approximately 500 words, single or double-spaced, maximum of 1 page ).
• The statement must be uploaded as a PDF attachment only through the online application system.
• Your statement of interest is a crucial element of the application process.  Canadian Politics  applicants should describe the analytical problem or question about the Canadian political system that their dissertation will pursue.  Comparative Politics  applicants should emphasize the comparative elements of their project compared. C omparative Public Policy  applicants should highlight the comparative nature of their research and policy area which concerns them.  International Relations  applicants should identify the international, transnational or global elements of their research projects.  Political Theory  applicants should identify the philosophical traditions, concepts, or figures that they wish to study at the doctoral level.
• All applicants would benefit from indicating particular faculty members or research clusters that overlap with their projects.

CV/Personal Resume 

• An electronic copy of your CV/Resume must be uploaded as a PDF attachment through the online application system.

Official Academic Transcripts 

• Upload a scan of ALL official university transcripts completed to date to the application system. Remember to include a copy of the transcript key/legend or scale from the transcript.  
• Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of a Student Exchange Program must also be included.
• If the official language of instruction at your institution is not English, please include both the original language document and a certified English translation.  
• DO NOT submit an unofficial transcript or a student record prints.
• If you receive an offer of admission further instructions will be given on how to submit formal official transcripts.  

Academic Reference 

• Three (3) confidential e-reference reports from instructors most familiar with your academic work.  
• All referees are required to complete the e-Reference.
• You will be required to include contact information and an email address for each referee.
• The electronic referencing system will send an e-Reference request on your behalf.

English Language Proficiency (if applicable) 

• If English is not your native language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required. Such applicants are required to supply this evidence as part of your application. Applicants whose university studies were complete at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement (an official letter from the institution is required).  
• The English Proficiency exam must have been completed within 2 years of the application due date.  
• This requirement must be met prior to an offer of admission. There will be no exceptions to the language requirement.  
• The most common evidence is a score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• TOEFL: minimum score is 92 (iBT-internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based). The McMaster University TOEFL/TSE Institution Code is 0936 and the Department Code for Political Science is 89.  
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score is 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section.  

NOTE: International students wishing to enter Canada on a study permit should also contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for further information.

Application Fee 

The system will charg e a non-refundable application fee. Please have a valid credit card ready to pay the application fee. The fee will not be refunded or waived.

ANY LATE OR MISSING DOCUMENTS WILL DELAY YOUR APPLICATION AND NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMISSION COMMITTEE.   

Application Deadline: 

January 14, 2024 (for September 2024 admission)  

We do not offer a Winter (January) or Spring (May) start date.

Financial Information, Scholarships and Awards

The Ellen Louks Fairclough Scholarship in Political Science

The Ellen Louks Fairclough Memorial Scholarship in Political Science was established in 2004 to commemorate the life of The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough, P.C., C.C., F.CA., L.L.D., F.R.C.G.S., D.H., U.E., Canada’s first female federal cabinet minister and lifelong advocate for women’s rights. To be awarded to a student enrolled in a graduate program in Political Science who holds an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Preference will be given to a student with an interest in Canadian public policy.

The Political Science Travel Grant

To support research and professional development by assisting graduate students with costs related to doing field-work or attending academic conferences. This grant is open to both MA (thesis option) and PhD students. There are two rounds of applications each year with the deadlines being October 15th and January 30th.

The William Coleman Fund

The William Coleman Fund was established in 2011 by Dr. William Coleman. To support Ph.D. students in the Department of Political Science who are conducting field research.

To see additional information regarding awards and funding, please visit the Awards & Funding page .

Academic Support

International Relations Faculty  

The Department has many faculty specializing in International Relations. Their names and research interests are:  

Marshall Beier – Critical approaches to security, militarization of childhood, Indigeneity and IR, IR Theory  

Stephen McBride – North American Political Economy, Trade and Investment Governance  

Peter Nyers – Critical Security Studies, Citizenship, Borders, Refugees, Undocumented Migration  

Robert O’Brien – Global Political Economy, labour internationalism, global civil society, climate change, global governance  

Tony Porter – Global governance and standard setting, international finance  

Alina Sajed – Post-colonial IR, political violence and revolution, global south  

Lana Wylie – Canadian and US foreign Policy, alternative diplomacy, Cuba  

In addition several other faculty have an interest in international relations:  

Michelle Dion – Comparative politics, gender and politics, globalization, public policy, social and health policy  

Catherine Frost – Communications, globalization, nationalism, political theory, politics and history, politics of representation  

Ahmed Shafiqul Huque – Climate, water and sustainability, policy, public policy  

James Ingram – Critical IR, globalization, political theory, post-colonial theory  

Inder Marwah – Critical IR, globalization, political theory, politics of representation  

Apply to a PhD Program in Political Science (International Relations)

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RESEARCH IN POLITICAL SCIENCES

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Mapping the Global Dimensions of Policy Conference 13: Globalization and Public Policy

March 08, 2024

Study Postgraduate

Phd in politics and international studies (2024 entry).

Course code

30 September 2024

3-4 years full-time; Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

Politics and International Studies

University of Warwick

Find out more about our PhD in Politics and International Studies.

The University of Warwick's Politics and International Studies department (PAIS) offers the PhD in Politics and International Studies. Gain a unique opportunity to undertake a research project in one of the UK's largest Politics and International Studies departments.

Course overview

PAIS has a vibrant PhD community and our doctoral research covers a broad range of interests. The programme is structured around achieving distinct milestones in order to support your progress.

In your first year, you will be required to attend the PAIS first-year training module PO961: Doctoral Thesis Writing in Politics and International Studies, which will help you to prepare for upgrade process at the end of the first year.

As you progress through the course, you are also expected to attend advanced training workshops. Additional research training and personal and professional development are available through the department, the Doctoral College and IT Services.

PAIS has a keen interest in fostering networking between doctoral researchers of all stages as well as between PhD students and staff, and we therefore hold regular academic events.

Application Closing Date

Applications for the programme will close on 31 May 2024 for an Autumn 2024 start.

Teaching and learning

• PO961: Doctoral Thesis Writing in Politics and International Studies
• Advanced Training Workshops

Visiting PhD students

If you are currently a PhD student at another university anywhere in the world, it is possible to attend Warwick as a visiting researcher for up to one year. PAIS welcomes applications from students already undertaking postgraduate research at another institution, who wish to join us in a visiting capacity in order to participate in, and benefit from, the research culture and resources of the department and the university.

We recommend that you contact us prior to submitting an application in order to discuss your needs; the best starting point is to approach academic staff researching in your area to discuss your proposed visit dates and research plans. Please note that although members of the department’s academic staff are happy to arrange meetings with visiting students to discuss research and offer advice and suggestions, you would not be formally supervised during your visit.

Should you wish to submit an application, you will need to do this through the University's online postgraduate application system . Your application must include:

• The proposed start and end dates of your visit
• The name of the academic staff member who will oversee your visit in the department
• A reference from your current supervisor which confirms your current student status and suitability for undertaking research at Warwick as a visiting student
• A brief outline of the research you intend to undertake while you are with us.

You will also need to meet PAIS’s English language requirements ( Band B IELTS 7.0 ).

Before you submit your application, you should also consult the Doctoral College's information about visiting as a research student; their pages contain further information about fees, links to visa information if required, and a link to the relevant application form.

Part-time study

The PhD programme in PAIS is designed to be taken on a full-time basis. However, for a small number of candidates, studying part-time may offer a way to balance life and study commitments.

Learn more about part-time study. Link opens in a new window

Postgraduate FAQs (PAIS specific) Postgraduate FAQs (general)

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements.

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum degree classification of Merit/2:1 in a relevant subject area; a strong research proposal; explicit support from at least one potential PAIS supervisor.

Read our department specific advice on applying Link opens in a new window to ensure your application has the best chance for success.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements Link opens in a new window . This course requires the following:

• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page Link opens in a new window .

Additional requirements

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Our research

Areas for phd supervision, by research groups:.

• International Political Economy
• International Relations and Security
• Comparative Politics and Democratisation
• Political Theory.
• Development
• Cyber Security
• Intelligence
• Democratic Theory
• US/EU/UK Foreign Policy
• Middle East
• Latin America
• Democratisation
• Political Institutions
• Environmental Policy
• International Finance
• Global Governance
• Terrorism and Counter-terrorism
• War Studies
• Conflict studies
• Peace keeping

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Explore our Politics and International Studies Staff Directory where you will be able to filter by research cluster, region or topic.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website .

Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Fieldwork costs
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

PAIS Funding Opportunities

Find out more about the various funding opportunities that are available in our department.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Politics and International Studies at Warwick

Join an innovative, creative and passionate department with a lively and interactive culture. Stretch and challenge yourself with the support of friendly staff and your peers.

Find out more about us on our website. Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

• International Development (MA)
• International Political Economy (MA)
• International Politics and East Asia (MA)
• International Politics and Europe (MA)
• International Relations (MA)
• International Security (MA)
• Politics and International Studies (PhD)
• Political and Legal Theory (MA)
• Politics, Big Data and Quantitative Methods (MA)
• Politics of Climate Change (MA)
• Public Policy (MA)
• United States Foreign Policy (MA)

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications for the programme will close on 31 May 2024 for an Autumn 2024 start.  

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

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Postgraduate fairs.

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

See our online departmental events

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.

Connect with us

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

Page updates

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history .

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

9th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2024) Link opens in a new window

67th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024) Link opens in a new window

6th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employers Link opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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Politics and International Relations PhD

• Full-time: 3 years
• Part-time: 6 years
• Start date: Multiple available
• UK fees: £5,100
• International fees: £21,500

Research overview

The School of Politics and International Relations has long been respected for the quality of its research and teaching. We have strong links with leading institutions in the UK and overseas and a diverse teaching team and student body. You will study in a dynamic research environment that will allow you to explore the political landscape by focusing on a specialism of your choice. 

You will be encouraged to play an active role in our research centres and institutes  as well as the activities of the school.

You will be assigned  two supervisors . You must ensure that we have at least one supervisor who has expertise in your proposed area of research before applying and name that person in your application. Ideally, you should contact your proposed supervisor before applying.

We offer supervision in most subject areas within international relations and security, British and comparative politics, and political theory.

Potential PhD projects

The School of Politics and International Relations invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates to undertake a PhD in Politics or International Relations.

Successful applicants will join a team of PhD researchers in the School of Politics and International Relations . You can find out more about our staff , their research interests and current doctoral supervision, as well as the pages of individual academics.

Prospective candidates are welcome to outline their own doctoral research topic, but we have identified a number of priority topic areas where we believe a PhD project would be particularly cutting-edge and where we strongly welcome expressions of interest. The topic areas are:

International Relations

• Covert economic influence
• Britain and proxy wars
• Struggles over water commodification
• Alternative trade policy
• The EU and the global South
• Intelligence assessment and policymaking
• Intelligence and diplomacy
• Environmental disasters
• British foreign policy
• Britain and the Middle East
• UK/China Relations

British Politics and Comparative Politics

• The changing nature of election campaigns
• Federalism and the management of ethnic conflict
• Gender and political representation in Asia
• Public administration in post-communist Europe
• Anti-corruption in developing countries
• Intersectionality, Identity and Representation in Political Careers
• Taiwanese politics
• Chinese digital politics
• Forced marriage/honour-based abuse policies
• Authoritarian party politics and democratic backsliding in Asia and Africa
• Labour precarity and changing labour politics across the Global North and South
• Majoritarian Nationalisms (and their impact) in Asia
• Hybrid Regimes in South and South-East Asia
• Federalism and Public Policy

Political Theory

• Conceptions of Liberal Socialism
• Post-truth politics/populism
• Eco/techno-ideologies
• Left, right and centre in UK and European History
• Concept development (eg freedom, authoritarianism, etc)

Course content

You must complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with support and advice from your academic supervisor(s). You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce, where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

You will also be required to take 20 credits of methodological modules offered by either the School of Politics and International Relations or relevant modules offered by other schools. During your first semester, you will also enrol in the school's Professional Development module.

As a research student in the school, you will also develop skills needed in a future academic career through taking training courses offered through the Researcher Academy. You are required to take five training points during the first and second year of studies.  

Supervision 

Full-time students should meet with their supervisors at least 10 times each year. This would be at least six times in the same period for part-time students.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Applicants are strongly encouraged to make contact with possible supervisors prior to their application. You should look at the  areas of supervision  offered by staff in the school to identify who they may be. If you do not indicate a possible supervisor in your application, this may well affect its success. 

Once an application has been received, applicants who are not already known personally to the potential supervisor will be contacted for a short interview to discuss the intended topic of your research. This interview can take the form of face-to-face interview, via Skype or over the telephone. 

The Postgraduate Research Tutor will then make a decision on offering a place of study in the school.

Applicants interested in applying for entry October 2024 should contact Benjamin Holland , providing an expression of interest including the following:

• a one-page note on your preparation and motivation to conduct research to PhD level on a topic in politics and international relations
• a 2,000-word outline of your proposed research topic

View our further guidance PDF on how to write a convincing and compelling research proposal . We can advise on your eligibility and the fit of your proposed research with our interests and expertise.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice .

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you'll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles which could cost up to £120.

Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change.

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Professional Development Module 

You will study this module in your first year of study. It will outline the diverse challenges and opportunities provided by doing a PhD in politics and international relations.

We run a weekly colloquium for postgraduate research students, giving you the opportunity to present your work in front of other research students and staff with similar research interests. 

Organised by students and facilitated by the Director of Postgraduate Research, it acts as a supportive forum for presenting your work, testing your arguments, ideas and approaches, and developing your research design. 

Conference 

Students also run their own annual postgraduate research conference which attracts researchers from across the UK and internationally.

Research seminars

We offer research seminars for staff and postgraduate research students through our  research centres and institutes . Each centre runs a full programme of workshops, reading groups, talks and conferences. 

Teaching experience

Suitably trained second and third-year research students can acquire paid teaching experience by delivering undergraduate tutorials. Free courses on teaching methods are on offer, though teaching is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. 

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

• socialising
• computer work
• kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Library facilities - politics and international relations.

The  Hallward Library  stocks a large number of politics and international relations related publications and journals. Our library facilities open long hours and include areas for group work, individual and silent study.

University Park Campus

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

School facilities - Politics and International Relations

In addition to IT facilities provided by the University, the school offers all full-time postgraduate research students their own workspace in dedicated offices. You will be provided with a computer, printing and photocopying facilities, and a generous printing/photocopying allowance.

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Career destinations for our graduates include economists, management consultants, researchers, statisticians and university lecturers. Companies and organisations our graduates have gone to work for include the BBC, Channel 4, the European Union, GCHQ, Reuters, and the Thailand National Police Department.

100% of postgraduates from the School of Politics and International Relations secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022 . The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. 

Related courses

Politics and international relations mres, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• 82% of the school's research is ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent
• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 01 February 2024 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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Prospective phd in politics and international studies.

The application and funding portal for October 2024 entry is now closed.

Our PhD in Politics and International Studies is structured as a three-year programme. With the expectation that PhD students will submit a full draft of their thesis at the end of the third year or soon after.

This is a research degree and is completed through the submission of a thesis of up to 80,000 words. As a full-time programme, it is completed in a period of between three and four years – that is between nine and twelve university terms. 

The First Year

The first year of the PhD is spent in Cambridge, with two major activities: firstly, developing a research topic with the guidance of a supervisor and secondly, training in research methods.

The development of the topic often involves extensive reading into relevant literature, the discovery of relevant information sources (such as archives or databases), and formulating plans for primary research, such as through making plans for fieldwork. This is done in combination with your primary supervisor, who discusses your progress and reviews your written work, usually fortnightly. You are also appointed a second supervisor who can be drawn upon for additional advice.

The first year culminates in the production of a report, which serves as the basis for the registration exercise at the end of the year. This registration exercise is required to move on to official registration for the PhD degree and is conducted through a meeting with your second supervisor and an independent assessor. Its purpose is to ensure that your research project is viable, that an appropriate methodology is applied and that relevant literature is drawn upon.

The second major focus of the first year is research training. There is a weekly seminar on the methodological and philosophical questions that underpin research in the contemporary social sciences, which all first-year PhD students attend. Alongside this, PhD students choose two further courses to attend from a range of options, such as statistics, qualitative methods and languages.

As the induction process and training courses start at the beginning of October, entry to the PhD programme must also begin then. We cannot therefore accept applications to begin at other points during the academic year.

The Second and Third Years

The content of the second and third years varies considerably depending on the type of research being conducted. Many students spend a considerable portion of the second year of their PhD out of Cambridge on fieldwork, while others are resident throughout. To assist you in the development of your research, we schedule an annual meeting with your primary and secondary supervisor, for which you produce a report for discussion.

In the second year and onwards, many of our PhD students contribute to the Department's teaching programme, principally in small-group teaching of undergraduates (supervisions).

There is also the opportunity to deliver a lecture if your research interests align with the taught courses. There is no obligation to be involved in this, but many of our PhD students consider this valuable experience, particularly for those considering academic careers.

Dissertations are assessed through an oral examination with two senior academics, of whom at least one must be external.

Supervision

Full-time candidates on the course are expected to devote themselves fully to their studies . Full-time students must spend at least three terms resident in Cambridge.  Part-time students are required to attend Cambridge and undergo formal supervision with their supervisor at a frequency agreed upon between the supervisor and student and determined by the nature of the research project. Generally, we would expect part-time students to be resident in Cambridge for around 45 days per year, spread throughout the year, for supervision and training.

• How to apply  
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Testimonials from current students

"A PhD at POLIS is a rare opportunity to meet and befriend incredible people who are at the cutting edge of diverse and globally relevant research. I enjoy working independently and have found POLIS to be a great fit. It is a privilege to be a part of such a well-resourced and intellectually stimulating department. "

 - Lyn Kouadio, PhD student POLIS - 2019

"The structure of the PhD course, amazing staff, the events and workshops organised by the different centres at POLIS all provide a fertile ground for one to thrive. The diversity of research topics means you are always learning something different from your colleagues. I am grateful to be part of the POLIS family."

- Edward Murambwa, PhD Student POLIS  - 2019

"Pursuing a PhD in the POLIS department at the University of Cambridge is one of the best decisions I've made. My supervisor is simply brilliant: a wonder-woman in her field, who constantly challenges me and gives thoughtful feedback to improve my research, while also being one of the kindest people I know. My peers come from all over the globe, they pursue research in a variety of fields, enriching our conversations and providing different perspectives to study. The staff in the department is always readily available to help and share a smile with you in the hallway.  If you are thinking of choosing this program, do it, it is a decision you will not regret."

Vianney Gomezfil Yaspik - 2020

"Coming to the programme with a different intellectual background, I was immediately made to feel at home at POLIS by the sheer diversity of research carried out and the varied kinds of approaches people bring to the PhD programme. The openness and friendly support, the in-depth and challenging discussions, as well as the encouraging process of developing your own project in constructive exchange and collaboration with other PhD students make the programme an intellectually stimulating and deeply enriching experience."

Carl Pierer, PhD student POLIS - 2021

The Department of Politics and International Studies, The Alison Richard Building, 7 West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DP

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Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center for International and Public Affairs, DMC 327 (213) 740-1695 FAX: (213) 740-0281 Email: [email protected] dornsife.usc.edu/poir

Chair:  Sally Pratt, PhD

University Professor and Wallis Annenberg Chair of Communication Technology and Society and Professor of Communication, Sociology, Planning and International Relations:  Manuel Castells, PhD  (Communication)

Blue Cross of California Chair in Health Care Finance and Professor of Policy, Planning and Development and Political Science:  Glenn Melnick, PhD  (Public Policy)

Robert R. and Katheryn A. Dockson Chair in Economics and International Relations and Professor of International Relations and Economics:  Joshua Aizenman, PhD

Carl Mason Franklin Chair in Law and Professor of Law and Political Science:  Andrew Guzman, PhD  (Law)

J. Thomas McCarthy Trustee Chair in Law and Political Science:  Robert K. Rassmussen, PhD  (Law)

John A. McCone Chair in International Relations and Professor of International Relations and Law:  Wayne Sandholtz, PhD

Jeffrey J. Miller Chair in Government, Business and the Economy and Professor of Public Policy and Political Science:  Elizabeth Graddy, PhD  (Public Policy)

Emery Evans Olson Chair in Non-Profit Entrepreneurship and Public Policy and Professor of Public Policy and Political Science:  James Ferris, PhD  (Public Policy)

Robert C. Packard Trustee Chair in Law and Professor of Law, Political Science and Economics:  Edward McCaffery, JD  (Law)

Charles F. Sexton Chair in American Enterprise and Professor of Finance and Business Economics, Business and Law, and Political Science:  John Matsusaka, PhD  (Finance and Business Economics)

USC Associates Chair in Social Sciences and Professor of Political Science and Gender Studies:  Jane Junn, PhD

Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics and Professor of the Practice of Political Science:  Robert M. Shrum, PhD

Dean’s Professor of International Relations:  Patrick James, PhD*

Maria B. Crutcher Professor of Citizenship and Democratic Values and Professor of Public Policy and Political Science:  Terry L. Cooper, PhD  (Public Policy)

Maria Crutcher Professor in International Relations, Business and East Asian Languages and Cultures:  David C. Kang, PhD

C. Erwin and Ione L. Piper Professor of Policy, Planning and Development and Political Science:  Jack H. Knott, PhD  (Public Policy)

Robert Kingsley Professor in Law and Professor of Law and Political Science:  Susan Estrich, JD  (Law)

Professors:  Jonathan D. Aronson, PhD*  (Communication); John E. Barnes, PhD*; Dennis Chong, PhD; Ann Crigler, PhD*; Nicholas Cull, PhD  (Communication); Philip Ethington, PhD  (History) ; Christian Grose, PhD; Thomas Hollihan, PhD  (Communication); Jeffery Jenkins, PhD  (Public Policy ); Saori Katada, PhD; Nancy Lutkehaus, PhD  (Anthropology); Gerardo Munck, PhD  (International Relations); Daniel A. Mazmanian, PhD  (Public Policy); Najmedin Meshkati, PhD  (Civil and Environmental Engineering); Gerardo Munck, PhD; Michael Parks  (Journalism); Brian Rathbun, PhD; Alison D. Renteln, PhD*; Stanley Rosen, PhD*; Eliz Sanasarian, PhD*; Jefferey M. Sellers, PhD; Shui Yan Tang, PhD  (Public Policy) ; Ernest J. Wilson III, PhD  (Communication) ; Carol Wise, PhD

Associate Professors:  Robert English, PhD; Benjamin Graham, PhD; Jacques Hymans, PhD; Jonathan Markowitz, PhD; Juliet Musso, PhD  (Public Policy)

Assistant Professors:  Pablo Barbera, PhD; Erin Baggott Carter, PhD; Brett Carter, PhD; Allison Hartnett, PhD; Morris Levy, PhD; Christian Phillips, PhD; Stephanie Schwartz, PhD; Audrye Wong, PhD, Sherry Zaks, PhD

Professors of the Practice:  Lord John Eatwell, PhD; Pamela K. Starr, PhD; Gregory Treverton, PhD; Yael Wolinsky-Nahmias, PhD  (Environmental Studies)

Professors (Teaching):  Arthur Auerbach, PhD; Nina Rathbun, PhD

Associate Professors of the Practice:  Jeffrey R. Fields, PhD; Steve Swerdlow, JD

Associate Professors (Teaching): Douglas Becker, PhD; Iva Bozovic, PhD; Anthony Kammas, PhD

Assistant Professor (Teaching): Megan Becker, PhD

Emeritus:  Peter A. Berton, PhD*; Laurie A. Brand, PhD*; Richard H. Dekmejian, PhD; Michael G. Fry, PhD; Gary W. Glass, PhD; Nora Hamilton, PhD; Steven Lamy, PhD; Abraham F. Lowenthal, PhD; Joseph L. Nyomarkay, PhD*; John S. Odell, PhD; Ron Steel, MA; Rodger Swearingen, PhD; J. Ann Tickner, PhD

*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.

Graduate Degrees

Director:  Gerardo Munck, PhD

Email:  [email protected] dornsife.usc.edu/poir

Political Science and International Relations (MA)

The POIR program does not accept applicants for a Master of Arts degree in POIR. If a student admitted in the POIR doctoral program does not have a master’s degree, the department strongly recommends that the student completes the requirements for the MA in POIR in his or her course of work toward the PhD degree. A student admitted to the doctoral program may also, at the recommendation of the department, earn a terminal MA degree.

A student may obtain an MA in POIR by fulfilling the following requirements: a minimum of 28 units in the POIR program, including POIR 600   , POIR 610    and POIR 611   , and the approval of a substantive paper.

Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science and International Relations/Juris Doctor (PhD/JD)

Application deadline (for PhD): December 1

The Political Science and International Relations program and the USC Gould School of Law jointly offer a dual degree program leading to the PhD/JD degree. Applicants must apply to the Political Science and International Relations program and the law school and meet the requirements for admission to both. In addition to the LSAT, students interested in this program are required to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

In the first year, students take their course work in the law school exclusively. To earn the JD, all students (including dual degree students) must complete 35 numerically graded law units at USC after the first year. The associate dean may make exceptions to this rule for students enrolled in law honors programs. The second and third years include a total of 40 units of courses in political science and international relations and 40 units of law. Students must complete a five-course core theory and methodology sequence. They must include a classics-oriented, two-semester political, social, comparative and international theory sequence (currently POIR 600   ), a multivariate statistics course (such as POIR 611   ) and a philosophies/methodologies in social inquiry course ( POIR 610   ). Finally in their second, third or fourth year, they must take an approved advanced research methods course.

To obtain a PhD in Political Science and International Relations, students must pass the screening process. After the completion of required field course work with a grade of B or better, a substantive paper or USC MA thesis relevant to the program, students must take a PhD qualifying examination in two of their three fields of concentration. The third field will be completed by taking at least three courses and passing each with a grade of B or better. The final requirement, following successful completion of the qualifying examination, is a doctoral dissertation.

Political Science and International Relations (PhD)

Usc graduate school requirements.

The PhD degree is awarded to students who have demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the disciplines of political science and international relations and the ability to make an original research contribution. The PhD in Political Science and International Relations requirements are fulfilled by successfully completing a minimum of 70 units beyond the BA, the PhD screening process, three fields of concentration, a substantive paper, a foreign language requirement (if applicable), qualifying examinations, a dissertation proposal, and a written dissertation and its oral defense.

The faculty of the Department of Political Science and the School of International Relations welcome talented candidates from a variety of backgrounds. Although a prior degree in political science or international relations is not necessary, it is strongly recommended that applicants have completed at least some course work in related fields, including political theory, statistics and social science research methods.

Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of applications. This review includes, but is not limited to, consideration of applicants’ prior academic performance, as reflected in course grades, the results of the Graduate Record Examinations, letters of recommendation, a statement of intent that demonstrates a seriousness of purpose, a high level of motivation and a desire to benefit from our faculty’s areas of expertise or interest. Applicants also are required to submit a sample of their written work in English, preferably a research-oriented paper. Business, government and other practical experiences may also be taken into account. Applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS examination.

Screening Process

Before completion of 24 units, students will be reviewed by a screening committee made up of the Director of Graduate Studies and the faculty who taught the core courses. This committee will review the student’s progress, including grades and written faculty evaluations of course work.

The committee will be responsible for deciding, at an early stage in the student’s career, if the student is likely to finish the PhD program. After reviewing the student’s record, the committee may decide to (1) continue the student, (2) not continue the student and admit the student into a terminal MA degree program, or (3) fail the student’s performance in the screening process, i.e., not continue the student in either the MA or PhD programs.

Course Requirements

All doctoral candidates must complete an approved sequence of four courses in core theory and methodology, including a classics-oriented course in political theory ( POIR 600   ), a multivariate statistics course ( POIR 611   ), a social inquiry and research design course ( POIR 610   ), and an approved course in advanced research methods.

The selection of additional courses should be guided by the distribution requirements of the PhD program. The student will choose three fields of concentration, of which two will be examined fields. Each examined field of concentration requires completion of four graduate-level courses, including the core course in standard fields, with an average grade consistent with university and program requirements. The third non-examined field of concentration requires the completion of a minimum of three graduate-level courses with an average grade consistent with university and program requirements. Students are also advised to take an independent study course to work toward their substantive paper requirement. Additional courses necessary to complete the 70 units required by the Guidelines for Graduate Study in Political Science and International Relations should be taken in consultation with faculty advisers.

Fields of Concentration

All students must complete two examined fields of concentration and one non-examined field of concentration. The standing fields of concentration include: American politics (AP); comparative politics (CP); international relations (IR) and methods and research tools (MRT). Students may also select a customized field of concentration as their non-examined field with the approval of their faculty adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies.

For the American politics, comparative politics and international relations fields, students must complete four courses and pass a written and oral field qualifying examination. For the methods and research tools field, students must complete a total of four approved advanced methods courses. Students must also write and orally defend a methods paper as part of the qualifying exam utilizing the skills they have learned in their course work. Students should consult the methods and research tools field coordinator(s) and the POIR Guidelines for a list of approved courses and overall field requirements and exam.

The student may satisfy the third non-examined field by completing one of the following set of requirements: (a) complete at least three courses in the AP, CP or IR fields, (b) complete three methods courses in the MRT field; and/or (c) complete at least three courses in a proposed customized field of study to be approved by relevant faculty and the Director of Graduate Studies. For example, students can design a third field that cuts across disciplinary boundaries or focuses on specific areas of political science and international relations beyond the standing fields. The guidelines and the Director of Graduate Studies can provide illustrations of this type of third field.

Foreign Language

The student is required to demonstrate intermediate proficiency in a language other than English if the student’s primary field and/or dissertation research requires it. Students should consult the guidelines and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Substantive Paper

To show evidence of the capacity to conduct original research and before taking the qualifying exam, each student will submit a substantive paper. The student will submit the draft of his or her substantive paper to the chair of the qualifying exam committee one month prior to the qualifying examinations. After consultation with the chair and necessary revisions, the student is to distribute the paper to all members of the qualifying exam committee at least 14 days prior to the oral defense. The substantive paper should be presented and defended in the oral component of the qualifying examination as a viable journal submission to a peer-reviewed professional journal. It is strongly encouraged that the paper should be submitted to a professional journal approved by the student’s adviser within one year of the defense.

Qualifying Examinations

Ordinarily, students will take the qualifying exams no later than the fifth semester in the PhD program. Students will be examined in two of their three fields of concentration. The qualifying exam committee will evaluate the quality of the two written field exams as evidence of the capacity to define and complete a PhD dissertation.

The written examinations will be administered over two days at least once per academic year. Examination questions will be written by the field coordinators in consultation with the tenured and tenure track faculty in each field. Students who select the methods and research tools as one of their examined fields of concentration must complete a methods paper.

The oral portion of the student’s qualifying examination will be administered by his or her qualifying exam committee. The oral examination will be based on the student’s written field exams and/or methods paper; and the substantive paper. The qualifying exam committee will be made up of five members. In consultation with his or her principal adviser, the student will select two members, one from each standing field in which he or she will be examined, and the other two field examiners and the outside member of the qualifying exam committee. Final approval of the qualifying exam committee requires the signature of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dornsife Vice Dean of Academic Programs.

Students will pass the qualifying examinations if no more than one member of the qualifying exam committee dissents after reviewing the student’s record at USC and performance on the written and oral parts of the qualifying exams. At the discretion of the qualifying exam committee, students who do not pass the exams may be allowed to retake the qualifying exams the next time they are offered. Students are admitted to candidacy for the PhD when they have completed the university residency requirement, passed the written and oral portions of the PhD qualifying examinations, and defended their dissertation proposal.

Dissertation

Upon completion of the qualifying examinations, the student, in consultation with the principal adviser, selects a dissertation committee in accordance with university rules. Within six months of completing the qualifying examinations, students should have a formal defense of the dissertation proposal before their dissertation committee. The PhD is earned upon the submission of the written dissertation and its successful defense before the dissertation committee.

Consult the Requirements for Graduation    section and The Graduate School    section of this catalogue regarding time limitations for completion of the degree and other Graduate School requirements.

All graduate students considering an academic career should generally have research, teaching and advisement experiences as part of their program of study.

Master’s Degree

• •  Political Science and International Relations (MA)

Dual Degree

• •  Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science and International Relations/Juris Doctor (PhD/JD)

Doctoral Degree

• •  Political Science and International Relations (PhD)

Political Science and International Relations

• •  POIR 507 Gender and International Relations
• •  POIR 509 Culture, Gender and Global Society
• •  POIR 510 Gender, War and Peace
• •  POIR 516 Advanced Research Methods: Text, Talk and Context
• •  POIR 517 International Policy Analysis
• •  POIR 518 Historical Memory and Public Diplomacy
• •  POIR 519 Field Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations
• •  POIR 520 Formulating US Foreign Policy: How Washington Works
• •  POIR 521 Foreign Policy Analysis
• •  POIR 525 State and Society in International Relations
• •  POIR 526 Migration and Diaspora in International Politics
• •  POIR 531 Strategy and Arms Control
• •  POIR 534 East Asian Security Issues
• •  POIR 535 North African and Middle Eastern Politics
• •  POIR 539 Conflict Processes
• •  POIR 540 Law and Public Policy
• •  POIR 541 Politics of the World Economy
• •  POIR 542 Foreign Economic Policies of Industrial Capitalist States
• •  POIR 543 Politics of International Monetary and Trade Relations
• •  POIR 544 Religion, Politics, and Conflict
• •  POIR 545 Critical Issues in Politics and Policy
• •  POIR 546 Environmental Policy
• •  POIR 547 Political Economy of Global Space and Environment
• •  POIR 548 The International Political Economy of Development
• •  POIR 550 Economic Bargaining Theory and Practice
• •  POIR 551 International Political Economy of the Pacific Rim
• •  POIR 554 Women in Global Perspective
• •  POIR 555 Democracy and Democratization in Comparative Perspective
• •  POIR 556 Latin America and U.S. Foreign Policy
• •  POIR 557 Africa and U.S. Foreign Policy
• •  POIR 560 Feminist Theory
• •  POIR 561 Japanese Foreign Policy and International Relations of East and Southeast Asia
• •  POIR 563 Chinese Foreign Policy
• •  POIR 581 International Relations of the Middle East
• •  POIR 590 Directed Research
• •  POIR 593 Practicum in Teaching Politics and International Relations
• •  POIR 596 Internship for Curricular Practical Training
• •  POIR 599 Special Topics
• •  POIR 600 Political Theory
• •  POIR 610 Research Design
• •  POIR 611 Introduction to Regression Analysis
• •  POIR 612 Qualitative Research Design
• •  POIR 613 Topics in Quantitative Analysis
• •  POIR 614 Experimental Political Science
• •  POIR 615 Formal Models of Politics
• •  POIR 616 Advanced Quantitative Methods
• •  POIR 617 Maximum Likelihood Estimation
• •  POIR 618 Problems of American Politics
• •  POIR 619 Supreme Court Politics
• •  POIR 620 American Politics and Policy Processes
• •  POIR 621 American Politics Field Seminar Part II
• •  POIR 622 Political Attitudes and Behavior
• •  POIR 623 Public Law
• •  POIR 624 American Constitutional Law and Theory
• •  POIR 625 Political Parties
• •  POIR 626 Executive and Legislative Institutions
• •  POIR 627 Urban Politics
• •  POIR 630 European Politics
• •  POIR 632 Latin American Politics
• •  POIR 633 East Asian Politics
• •  POIR 636 Seminar in African Politics
• •  POIR 637 Chinese Politics
• •  POIR 640 Comparative Politics
• •  POIR 641 Comparative Politics II
• •  POIR 642 Institutions in Comparative and International Politics
• •  POIR 644 Political Economy of Development
• •  POIR 648 International Human Rights Law and Policy
• •  POIR 649 International Law
• •  POIR 650 Comparative Politics of East and Southeast Asia
• •  POIR 660 Introduction to International Relations Theory
• •  POIR 661 International Relations Theory: Advanced
• •  POIR 662 Governance in International Relations
• •  POIR 670 International Political Economy
• •  POIR 671 Political Psychology
• •  POIR 680 International Security and Foreign Policy
• •  POIR 790 Research
• •  POIR 794a Doctoral Dissertation
• •  POIR 794b Doctoral Dissertation
• •  POIR 794c Doctoral Dissertation
• •  POIR 794d Doctoral Dissertation
• •  POIR 794z Doctoral Dissertation

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Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

• Politics and International Relations
• Postgraduate Research home

Research topics and degrees

• As one of the top-ten departments in the UK, Politics at Exeter provides an ideal place to undertake a MPhil/PhD in Politics and International Relations,   Security, Conflict and Human Rights,   or   Strategy and Security .
• There are opportunities at both the Streatham Campus in Exeter and at the Penryn Campus near Falmouth.
• The MA by Research in Politics has been developed to allow you to undertake a research project in an area that interests you, within a shorter timeframe than the MPhil or PhD.
• Our   seminar series  and highly successful annual postgraduate conference brings together researchers from across all humanities and social sciences disciplines
• With over thirty members of faculty engaged in world-leading research and more than ninety research students currently enrolled, we offer a challenging but friendly and supportive environment in which to pursue your own research interests.

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Top 15 in the UK for Politics

14th in The Complete University Guide 2023

Top 100 worldwide for the subject in the QS World University Rankings 2022

Research overview

Our research is structured around University and Department research centres which focus on research themes and provide additional institutional structures for facilitating research.

• Centre for Elections, Media & Participation
• Centre for European Studies
• Centre of Advanced International Studies
• Centre for Political Thought
• Public Policy Research (PPGG)
• Strategy and Security Institute (SSI)
• Exeter Q-Step Centre
• Centre for Middle East Politics (C-MEP)

The department's strong research culture is reflected in our  regular seminars and workshops  and visits from internationally renowned scholars.

ou should have a good first degree either in Politics or another subject that could prepare you for a research project within the Department.

You should have a good first degree, and a Master's degree with Merit or equivalent either in Politics or another subject that could prepare you for a research project within the Department. We also consider applications from candidates who can demonstrate professional or other relevant experience that would make them suited to undertake an MPhil/PhD with us.

Requirements for international students

If you are an international student, please visit our  international equivalency pages  to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile E : view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country .

Fees and funding

Fees 2024/25

Tuition fees per year 2024/25

• Home : £4,786 full-time;   £pro-rata part-time
• International : £22,600 full-time

For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our   Student Finance webpages .

Fees 2023/24

Tuition fees per year 2023/24

• Home : £4,712 full-time;   £pro-rata part-time
• International : £20,500 full-time

Current funding opportunities

Our Postgraduate Funding webpage provides links to further information. If you are considering a PhD in the future, in addition to University of Exeter funding, we have been successful at securing postgraduate funding for PhD research through our Funded centres .

Current available funding

Supervision.

You can expect:

• High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your potential
• A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements
• Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students
• Regular timetabled meetings with your supervisor
• 'Open door' policy to all postgraduate students - instant access to world-leading researchers who will share their expertise and ideas with you
• Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors

You will only be able to apply for a PhD when you have received a letter from potential supervisors stating that they are willing to supervise your PhD thesis. You therefore need to initiate contact with faculty who are working on topics that you are interested in and present them with a proposal of no more than 2000 words.

> Find a supervisor

“My project is exploring youth participation and more importantly how a compulsory political education could improve this for the future of UK’s democracy. The university agreed that this was a priority subject area and I was honoured to receive the Vice Chancellors Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2017. The Politics Department is currently 5th in the UK for world-leading research which means that you get to collaborate with academics who are at the forefront of your field. In terms of the supervision process here at Exeter the really great thing is that you’re given two fantastic supervisors. Doing a PhD is both the most amazing and terrifying thing you’ll do as an early career academic so having a really supportive team to guide you through these often confusing or uncertain steps is really useful.” Rebecca, Politics PhD.

Below are some examples of initial jobs undertaken by Politics and International Relations postgraduates who studied with us in recent years.

Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.

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Politics PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Politics

Discovery Day

Join us online on 18th April to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh

View sessions and register

Research profile

Approximately 60 members of PIR academic staff enjoy international reputations for their research and have won numerous teaching, research and advising awards. Their scholarship covers a diverse range of research areas on Scotland, Europe, and the world, and is published in highly-rated journals and books.

The department has a strong tradition of advising, informing and debating policy with key decision-makers at Scottish, UK, European and international levels, and has a notable concentration of political theorists.

Research in Politics and International Relations explores the theory, practice and ethics of politics and governance.

We cover a broad area of expertise, from local policy to global governance, political theory to empirical studies, constructivism to rational choice approaches.

Our Politics & International Relations group has close links with cross-disciplinary and internationally recognised research centres.

Major research focuses include:

• sub-state and supranational dimensions of politics and public policy
• the impact of devolution in the UK and elsewhere, and the constitution and governance of the European Union
• international politics: changing relations, the new security agenda, transatlantic relations, political economy, migration politics and global governance
• nationalism, democratic transition, civil society and institution-building
• health, welfare, environment, competition, migrations and citizenship, and equal opportunities policies
• political theory, especially war ethics, environmental ethics and theories of freedom

Programme structure

The degree is based on three to four years of full-time research. Each student follows an individual training programme designed with their supervisor and the Postgraduate Adviser. This programme is reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

In the first year, you will acquire a wide range of research skills and formulate their research question and related design, under the guidance of their supervisors. At the end of their course of study you will submit a thesis and will be assessed in an oral examination (viva voce) by two examiners (usually one internal to the University, the other external).

The thesis is a long piece of research on a topic of your particular interest and makes an original contribution to the field of politics and international relations.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

You will follow a programme of research training, drawn from the MSc by Research courses coordinated by the School of Social and Political Science and Politics and International Relations-specific training.

The programme equips you with professional training to a high standard. After graduating you can expect to be a strong candidate for careers in a wide variety of contexts, including academia, the media, the private sector and a diverse array of public services. Nearly everyone needs good researchers!

Politics and International Relations helps you gain a range of transferable skills above and beyond those required by their specific projects, such as:

• organising seminars and conferences
• learning how to apply for research jobs in and out of academia
• learning how to deliver professional seminar presentations

Postgraduate researchers also have access to the University and College-wide programme of training in transferable skills and other aspects of professional development, such as specialist careers advice.

Research library and archive facilities in Edinburgh are outstanding.

You will be a member of the Graduate School of Social & Political Science, with full access to the Graduate School’s facilities in the Chrystal Macmillan Building.

Other library and archive facilities include the University’s Main Library, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Records Office. Proximity to the Scottish Parliament and other institutions of national government provides further research opportunities.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, and a UK masters degree with an overall mark of 65% or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Application fee.

This programme requires a non-refundable application fee.

Your application will not be processed until we have received your application fee.

• Application fee information

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

School of Social and Political Science Scholarships

UK Research Council Awards

For specialised guidance on submitting a competitive scholarship application, please follow the requirements and recommendations and how to contact relevant academic staff as advised here:

• Important information and recommendations

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Admissions Team
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
• Contact: [email protected]
• Programme Advisor, Dr Sarah Liu
• Contact: [email protected]
• Graduate School of Social & Political Science
• Chrystal Macmillan Building
• 15A George Square
• Central Campus
• Programme: Politics
• School: Social & Political Science
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Politics - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd politics - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You must submit a research proposal demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research, which will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision-making process. We request that PhD research proposals are no more than four A4 typed pages in Times New Roman, 12pt font. This includes charts and figures but does not include references or a bibliography.

We require PhD applicants in particular to contact potential supervisors before applying to discuss their research proposal so we can ensure there is adequate supervision.

A non-refundable application fee of £50 must be paid after you submit your application. Your application will not be processed until we have received your application fee.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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• Politics and International Relations
• You are currently on: Doctoral study

Doctoral study in Politics and International Relations

Why study with us.

We were placed in the top 100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020.

As a doctoral candidate, you'll benefit from: financial support for research expenses through PReSS funding; high-calibre supervision practices; and the networks and expertise of our world-class academic researchers.

Research opportunities

You will be supervised by our researchers and have access to a range of resources to assist you in your academic and professional development.

We welcome PhD research proposals in areas such as:

• Chinese international relations
• Civilian casualties
• Climate and energy policy
• Comparative public policy
• Contemporary Chinese politics (particularly popular resistance and political economy) and foreign policy
• Contemporary political theory
• Democratisation and human rights
• Environmental politics
• Ethics and war
• Foreign policies
• Gender and war
• Gender politics and public policy
• History of political thought
• Human rights
• Justice and rectification
• Media/political communication
• Multiculturalism and identity politics
• Nationalism (theory and politics)
• New Zealand and comparative politics and policy
• New Zealand and regional foreign relations
• Political communication
• Political leadership
• Political management
• Political marketing
• Political theory and public health
• Politics and media
• Politics of law
• Politics of water
• Public engagement
• Transnational advocacy/global civil society and politics of foreign aid
• US politics
• Violent conflict
• Weapons and war

We have particular expertise in international relations, political theory, New Zealand and comparative politics, political marketing, conflict and terrorism, and public policy.

Past research topics

• "City-to-city cooperation in China: Its formation and mechanisms" | Supervised by Dr Stephen Noakes and Professor Gerald Chan
• "The cost of voting: Barriers to voting among young, low-socioeconomic and migrant voters in New Zealand and Sweden" | Supervised by Professor Jennifer Curtin
• "The Pakistan Taliban in tribal areas" | Supervised by Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley and Dr Chris Wilson
• "Explaining rebellion in a weak state: A case study of Pakistan's federally administered tribal areas" | Supervised by Dr Chris Wilson and Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley
• "The theory of recognition and multiculturalism politics in Colombia and New Zealand" | Supervised by Associate Professor Katherine Smits and Dr Stephen Winter
• "Economic development of micro-states in Europe and the Pacific" | Supervised by Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley

Scholarships and awards

There are several scholarships you may be eligible for when you decide to pursue your PhD in Politics and International Relations:

• University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships
• Faculty of Arts Doctoral Scholarship
• Jonathan Hunt Postgraduate Scholarship
• Bill McAra Scholarship in Politics and International Relations

Help and advice

Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on enrolling in your PhD at Student Hubs .

If you would like to discuss your plans for your doctoral research you can contact our  PhD Adviser .

Apply for doctoral study

Doctoral programmes.

• Doctor of Philosophy

Related links

• How to apply
• Find a supervisor
• Find a scholarship

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PhD Politics & International Relations

Prospective phd students.

• PhD Politics & International Relations
• PhD Quantitative and Computational Social Science
• PhD Global Human Development
• UCD Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarship
• UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship
• IRC Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships

PhD Politics and International Relations

Duration: 3-4 Years Full Time Entry to the programme is in September only. 

Programme Overview

We offer a structured PhD programme that includes (1) training in research methods, (2) coursework in two subject-areas of politics and international relations, (3) regular contact with a Research Studies Panel composed of academic staff with expertise related to the students interests, and (4) the writing of a doctoral thesis based on original research. All students must designate primary and secondary subjects of specialization within politics and international relations and complete PhD seminars covering each subject's core scholarly literature.  Conditional upon approval by the Research Studies Panel, a student's second subject seminar may be taken in a cognate discipline beyond the School. Students will also take courses in research design, and qualitative and quantitative methods. In addition, students have the option of auditing additional postgraduate modules (in SPIRe, the College of Human Sciences, and in neighbouring institutions) in order to deepen their substantive knowledge and/or methodological skills.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to our research degree programmes must have completed and earned a minimum of a 2.1 grade (GPA: 3.6) in a taught Masters (MA, MSc, MLitt, etc.) programme in the area of politics and international relations or a cognate field and articulate a research interest that fits with the expertise of SPIRe’s academic staff. If you are interested in exploring your research plans further with a member of staff, please feel free to contact us individually.

A list of SPIRe academics and their research profiles can be found here

General Information for Incoming Students

A Welcome Note from the Dean of Graduate Studies, with information on registration, fees, support services and orientation, can be found  here

When Can I Apply?

There are three application deadlines for the Politics and International Relations programme:

• Applicants to the  Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship : 9th February 2024
• IRC Government of Ireland Doctoral Scholarship 2025 applicants: 8th September 2024
• All other funded applicants: a rolling deadline between 1st October 2023 and 31st July 2024 (for non-EU applicants the deadline is 30th June 2024 )  

Note: The Politics and International Relations PhD programme only accepts students who have a Honohan Doctoral scholarship, an IRC scholarship or alternative external funding, to include a full fee remission and appropriate living expenses. Self-funded applicants are not eligible.

In addition to writing the PhD thesis, SPIRe PhD students in Politics and International Relations must complete 50 credits of coursework , at least 40 of which should be completed by the time of the transfer to Stage II, which takes place within 12-18 months on the program.

Of these 50 credits, 30 will be devoted to required methodologically oriented courses (focusing on research design, quantitative methods and qualitative methods). The remaining 20 required credits (and any additional credits beyond 50) can be filled with modules selected in consultation with the student's supervisor.

For details on the 2023-24 modules, see the section titled 'What modules are available to me?' on this page .

There is a wide range of modules available across the College of Social Sciences and Law and the student may register for these, dependent on their research theme, with the permission of their supervisor. For a sample of the various modules on offer  click here . Please see  this page for PhD module registration information.

To get a better idea of what modules are covered and how the programme operates in general, please visit the  Current PhD Students section of the website.

And to understand the overall PhD structure and cycle at UCD, you can click here for the PhD in a nutshell .

UCD/TCD Collaboration SPIRe collaborates with the Department of Political Science in Trinity College Dublin (TCD). We currently share modules on quantitative and qualitative research methods. In addition, TCD operates a Coding Camp for incoming students, as a preparatory course for Quants I. Students enrolling on the Politics and International Relations programme are strongly encouraged to attend this camp. It usually takes place prior to the start of term. Ask the PhD Administrator for more information.

Application Procedure

Applications will be considered when the documentation below, including references, has been emailed to  ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) [email protected] Note: Applicants must have a minimum grade of 2.1 (GPA: 3.6) in a relevant Master's degree.

• Application Form (fillable word doc)
• Cover letter , stating reasons for interest in Politics and International programme.  
• provisional thesis title
• a statement of the research question
• a brief literature review that points to research gaps the PhD project could address
• an outline of theoretical approaches considered
• a brief discussion of the proposed methodology
• Copies of ALL  Academic Transcripts (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
• C.V. or Resume (2 pages maximum)
• Evidence of English language competence , where non-native English speaking applicants have NOT obtained previous university degrees from a university in an English-speaking country. Applicants must provide a cert that complies with UCD Minimum English Language Requirements  and the certificate should be no more than 2 years old.
• Two academic references:  These should be sent directly by the referees to (opens in a new window) [email protected]  with the applicant's name in the Subject field. If sent by email, they must be from an institutional email address and ideally on institutional headed paper. SPIRe reserves the right to verify all references. Sending only the contact details of referees is not sufficient.  

This documentation should be emailed to Ms Dara Gannon (School Manager) at  (opens in a new window) [email protected]   Applications will only be considered if all of the above has been included.

The submission of original academic transcripts and other documentation will be required as a condition of the final award of a place on the programme. 

How does the application process work?

• Once all documents, including references, have been received, the application will undergo an initial evaluation by the review committee to assess that it satisfies the minimal requirements in terms of academic achievement and language skills 
• Once it has been confirmed that the applicant is, in principle, eligible to join the SPIRe PhD programme, the application gets circulated among the SPIRe academic staff to determine if a potential supervisor is available and interested in taking on the applicant. 
• If someone is potentially interested in supervising / co-supervising, a Zoom/Skype call is usually arranged between the potential supervisor(s) and the applicant so that further questions on the project can be asked. The PhD Director will often sit in on the call to ask general questions and/or provide more information on the programme. 
• Following the call, if the potential supervisor(s) is willing to take on the applicant as a student, the registration process is initiated by the PhD administrator.
• If an application is not deemed suitable, a letter will be sent to the applicant informing them of the decision. SPIRe does not provide individual feedback.

Please note that the application review process does not take place until after the the relevant application deadline. For Honohan Scholarship applicants the application deadline is 9th February 2024 and for 2025 IRC candidates the deadline is 8th September 2024. There is a rolling deadline for other externally-funded students.

Honohan Scholarship Applicants The Honohan Doctoral Scholarship covers a full EU/non-EU fee remission, plus an annual stipend of €25,000. The deadline for applications is 9th February 2024.  

IRC Applicants The  (opens in a new window) Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme , funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) covers EU fees plus a stipend. The 2025 call will open in September 2024. The application process is highly competitive so collaboration with a local supervisor to develop the application is recommended. See this page for more information. If the IRC fee/stipend allowance does not match that of the school's Honohan scholarship, the school will provide a 'top up' payment.

Please note:   If you wish to work with a SPIRe supervisor and use that supervisor's name on your IRC application, you must go through the school application process first , even if the SPIRe academic has indicated his/her willingness to work with you. 

Note: The Politics and International Relations PhD programme only accepts students who have a Honohan Doctoral scholarship, an IRC doctoral scholarship or alternative external funding to include a full fee remission and appropriate living expenses. Self-funded applicants are not eligible. 

The FT fee for 2024-25 is €7,130

The PT fee for 2024-25 is €4,710

EU Graduate Research Fees for the Academic Year 2024-25 

Non-EU Fees

The FT fee for 2024-25 is €13,730

The PT fee for 2024-25 is €9,200

Non-EU Graduate Research Fees for the Academic Year 2024-25

Further information relating to fees      

Fees published are inclusive of a Student Centre Levy (€254) which must be paid by all students. Note: The Honohan or IRC scholarships do not cover the Student Levy.

Helpful Links

• Information on estimated living costs in Ireland can be found on the UCD Global website ' page"> UCD Global website
• Specific information for international students can be found at UCD Global ' page"> UCD Global

Scholarships and Funding

Spire scholarships.

SPIRe operates an Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship , which provides a fee remission of the scheduled EU or non-EU fee plus a tax-free annual stipend of €25k.  The 2024 application round is now open, with an application deadline of 9th February 2024.

Click here for more details

There are also  UCD Graduate Scholarships  available.  

IRC Scholarships

The (opens in a new window) Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme , funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) covers EU fees plus a stipend. The current round is closed. The application process is highly competitive so collaboration with a local supervisor to develop the application is recommended.

If the IRC fee/stipend allowance does not match that of the school's Honohan scholarship, the school will provide a 'top up' payment.

• (opens in a new window) Employment Based Postgraduate Programme
• (opens in a new window) Enterprise Partnership Scheme

Please note: If you wish to work with a SPIRe supervisor and use that supervisor's name on your IRC application, you must go through the school application process first, even if the SPIRe academic has indicated his/her willingness to work with you. The SPIRe application deadline for the 2025 IRC round is 8th September 2024.

Other Scholarships

Information on a selection of the top institutions currently funding graduate students at UCD can be found  here

Universities of Ireland offers a  (opens in a new window) North/South Postgraduate Scholarship  to encourage graduate study across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Other UCD scholarships   

Faculty and Current Students

A list of SPIRe academics and their research interests can be accessed here

A list of current PhD students and their respective supervisors is available here

International Students

• Specific information for international students planning to attend UCD can be found at UCD Global ' page"> UCD Global
• Supports for students and general information about the campus and the student experience can be found here ' page"> here
• Further information on estimated living costs and grants can be found here ' page"> here . Please visit the Irish Dept of Justice website ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) Irish Dept of Justice website for information on obtaining a visa
• Further visa information can be found on the Citizen's Information website ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) Citizen's Information website
• And information regarding working in Ireland can be accessed here ' page"> here

SPIRe Seminars and Events

Throughout your time in SPIRe, you will have access to a variety of university and school events, workshops and seminars to choose from. Some of the school offerings are below:

The SPIRe Seminar Series offers a variety of seminars from both school faculty and external speakers.

The SPIRe Early Career Researcher Forum provides guidance to early-career researchers and facilitates informal discussions between SPIRe faculty and PhD students.  

The Connected_Politics Laboratory has a series of events and seminars throughout the year.

As does the Dublin Political Theory Workshop

Information on university workshops can be found here

The programme is designed for all those whose career plans require a capacity for independent and rigorous research, a broad understanding of political structures and processes, and expertise in a particular area of political analysis. 

Career Support

Current and recently graduated, UCD Graduate Researchers (PhDs and Research Masters students), can book a  60 minute  appointment with a dedicated Career & Skills Consultant to discuss:

• Individual Career Planning
• Academic and non-Academic Career Options 
• Job Applications
• Interviews and Presentations

More detail can be found  here

UCD School of Politics & International Relations Room G301 Newman Building University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4 Ireland

PhD Administrator

Ms Dara Gannon (School Manager) Email:  (opens in a new window) [email protected]

PhD Director  (opens in a new window) Professor Ben Tonra Email:  (opens in a new window) [email protected]

UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)

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Phd degree: politics and international studies.

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Key information

Home student fees (full-time) : £4,860 per year Home student fees (part-time) : £2,430 per year Overseas student fees (full-time) : £22,490 per year Overseas student fees (part-time) : £11,245 per year

Please note that fees go up each year.   See  research fees  for further details.

We normally require a 2.1 bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) plus a Merit-level Masters degree in Political Science or a related discipline. We also require a minimum of one reference. In exceptional cases we may accept applicants who do not meet these criteria if they show evidence of a strong Masters degree and/or appropriate level of relevant work experience. International applicants should also see  Doctoral School English language requirements

Course overview

The primary aim of the PhD programme is to train students to design, research and write a successful doctoral thesis.

Those who have completed the doctorate will be familiar with the conceptual and methodological aspects of political research and qualified as experts in their field.

To be considered for entry into the PhD programme, applicants must possess a good advanced degree in Politics equivalent in level and content to the Department's MSc, although applications from individuals with related degrees in cognate disciplines will also be considered  Guidelines for research proposals .

Admission takes place on a rolling basis. The application cycle opens in November and closes on 30 June for entry in October. Applicants also wishing to be considered for a SOAS scholarship or an ESRC studentship should refer to the  research scholarships  information for the deadlines.

Why study PhD Degree Politics and International Studies at SOAS?

• We’re ranked 5th in the UK and 17th worldwide for Politics (QS World University Rankings 2023).
• We're ranked 3rd globally for academic reputation (QS World University Rankings 2022).

Recently Completed PhD Dissertations in the Department

• Maria Ambrozy, ‘Interrogating Education Policymaking in the Rwandan Developmental State: The Politics of Changing the Language of Instruction and the Higher Education Merger’ (Phil Clark)
• Sheenah Kaliisa, ‘Opening Borders: The African Passport, Free Movement of Persons and the Integration of States’ (Phil Clark)
• Hangwei Li, ‘Global China, African Agency and the Prism of Soft Power: Media Interaction and Newsroom Politics Between China and Africa’ (Stephen Chan)
• Moudwe Daga, ‘Identity, Belonging and State Formation in Chad’ ( Professor Julia Gallagher )
• Calum Fisher, ‘Doing Democracy in Malawi: MPs and Their Constituencies’ ( Dr Alastair Fraser )
• Anna Evelyn Kensicki, ‘Jerusalem Narratives: A Phenomenological Analysis of Space and Time in 21st Century Conflict’, ( Dr Hagar Kottef )
• Dwi Kiswanto, ‘Centre-Periphery Relations: The Politics of Fiscal Transfers in Indonesia’ ( Dr Michael Buehler )
• Leon Kunz, ‘Deliberative Democracy in Social Movements in Taiwan and Hong Kong’ ( Professor Julia Strauss )
• Magsud Mammadov, ‘The State Selfie in International Politics: Ontological Insecurity, Role Making, and Nation Branding in the case of Azerbaijan, 2008-2018’ ( Dr Bhavna Dave )

The PhD programme at SOAS follows a three-year model, with the possibility to extend into a fourth year. The programme consists of research training and coursework in the first year, after which Doctoral Researchers must pass an upgrade from MPhil to PhD status through submission of an ‘Upgrade Paper’, examined by a viva exam.

This is followed by primary research/fieldwork undertaken in the second year, and the writing up of their thesis in the subsequent year. Doctoral Researchers should aim to be ready for submission by the end of the third year and must submit by the end of the fourth year at the latest.

Research training year 1

Doctoral Researchers are expected to upgrade from MPhil to PhD status within 12 months of their registration. Progression requires successful completion of the Department’s training programme consisting of:

• Politics MPhil Methods course (terms one and two);
• an Upgrade Paper Workshop (term two); and
• participation in the MPhil Research Projects Conference (term three).

Doctoral Researchers also have the opportunity to take an additional course in quantitative methods (term two). Students will produce an upgrade paper that forms the basis of a viva, which has to pass to gain PhD status. In addition to the Department’s own training, the SOAS Doctoral School offers two complementary courses for all SOAS Doctoral Researchers:

• Research Project Management (term one), and
• Technology-Enhanced Research (term 2).

Fieldwork procedure

For Doctoral Researchers who undertake fieldwork, most will generally conduct such activity in their second year. A maximum of three terms’ fieldwork is usually permitted in a full-time PhD programme. Fieldwork of longer than 12 months has to be approved by the SOAS Pro-Director for Research and Enterprise.

Training beyond year 1

Throughout the process of research design, fieldwork, and writing, Doctoral Researchers are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisors.  Writing the dissertation is the student’s work alone, supported by regular meetings with the supervisor(s) and participating in a write-up seminar for advanced PhD students.

The Department strongly encourages Doctoral Researchers to participate in workshops offered outside SOAS and to attend and present at conferences organised by the major research associations in their field (some limited funding available).

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Teaching is an important part of doctoral training for PhD Doctoral Researchers considering an academic career. The Department aims to offer advanced Doctoral Researchers the possibility to work as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) on one of the courses offered in the Department for a maximum of two years.

Duties involve seminar teaching, holding office hours, and marking. Doctoral Researchers taking on the responsibility of a GTA post are expected to have completed a GTA training module offered by the Doctoral School, typically in October.

Teaching and learning

The primary building block of the PhD programme is the relationship between student and supervisor. Students are admitted on the basis of the expressed willingness of at least one member of staff to serve as the main supervisor for the student's project. 

From the student's entry in the programme, the supervisor assumes primary responsibility for monitoring and supporting the student’s progress towards the completion of the degree. Every research student also has an associate supervisor, another member of staff with a close interest in the student’s region and/or sub-field of the discipline. The Department’s research tutor oversees the PhD programme and is available for discussing general problems.

In addition to the training programme noted above, they may attend an MSc course relevant to their research. Research students are also encouraged to participate in the Department seminars, where invited scholars from other institutions give presentations, and they have access to many other seminars and lectures held throughout SOAS.

Language training

The School’s language training facilities are also available for students to develop or improve research-relevant language skills. Since 2012, research students have exclusive access to the facilities and services offered by SOAS’ Doctoral School.

Most PhD students spend some time doing fieldwork in the regions of their research. The Department and the School, through their various connections with individuals and institutions in the universities and governments of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, facilitate this work with personal contacts and introductions as well as (limited) funding.

For more information about the PhD programme in the Department of Politics and International Studies, see the MPHIL/PHD research handbook.

PDF document, 455.33KB

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. 

Scholarships

Fees and funding, fees for 2023/24 entrants per academic year.

Please note that fees go up each year.

See  research fees  for further details.

In the last REF cycle (2014-2020), about a quarter of our PhD graduates embarked on successful academic careers, taking up positions in universities in the UK and across the world, including the LSE, University of Cambridge, University of Birmingham, Queen Mary University of London, Lahore University of Management Sciences, the American University in Beirut, Korea University, Abu Dhabi University, Sabanci University, the American University of Sulaymaniyah, University of Freiburg, Sciences Po, Leiden, and the Leibniz Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin.

Many of our PhDs have found employment in non-academic institutions ,  including the   Crisis Management Initiative, the Open Society Foundation, the Institute for Druze Studies in Haifa (Israel), the Institute for Security Studies in Dakar (Senegal), the Centre for Alternative Policy Research and Innovation in Freetown (Sierra Leone), the Centre for Policy Research in Delhi (India) and the Centre for International Digital Policy at Global Affairs Canada. Other PhD graduates have gone on to work as foreign-policy officials in the UK, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Nigeria, South Korea and Egypt

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Be a Part of World Leading Research

The PhD programme is among the most successful in the world. Students undertaking PhD research are an integral part of the Department’s renowned  Research . Their considerable achievements are indicated in prize winning theses, high quality published work, excellent track record of securing post-doctoral awards, and success in the job market.

This commitment to research excellence is supported by unparalleled departmental  support  and the best  supervision  practices in the field. We have an internationally recognised group of scholars who are experienced in supervising original PhD research falling into several broad areas: 

• Foreign and Defence Policy
• The European Union
• European, UK and Welsh Politics
• US Politics and foreign policy
• Russian politics and security policy
• International Relations Theory
• Normative International Theory
• Postcolonialism
• Security and Intelligence Studies
• International History
• Military History
• Cold War History
• Strategic Studies
• Global Development
• Emerging Powers & BRICS
• Global Health
• Migration and Refugees

The Department welcomes PhD research projects that address one or more of these areas or which adopt an inter-disciplinary approach.  Equally welcome are projects that challenge the traditional cartography of the discipline by drawing on unorthodox ideas and approaches.

To apply for a place on the PhD programme you will need to prepare a 1500 word Research Proposal Guidelines , complete an application form and provide two references.

All applicants who wish to be considered for funding must submit their applications by 12 January, unless otherwise stated in a specific funding call.

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 Our students say:

"Doing a PhD in the Department of International Politics means that my academic work is continuously stimulated by invigorating intellectual debates in a personal and supportive environment. I could not have chosen a better department to study for a PhD.” Suzanne Klein Schaarsberg , PhD (2019)

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Graduate programs, ma in political science.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION. BE BACK SOON!

How To Apply

The university's application for admission is available online . 

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: Domestic - Spring Semester: Domestic -  No summer admissions

Admission Requirements

Must meet University Requirements , as well as the requirements listed below: 

• Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• GRE/ TOEFL scores
• Three (3) letters of recommendation, preferably by academics
• A 500 word personal statement
• Official transcripts
• Minimum GPA of 3.00
• Must have an undergraduate background in political science

International students:

Transcripts/documents that are issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a literal English translation. In addition, transfer applicants who completed any postsecondary work (college or university) at an institution not in the U.S. are required to submit an evaluation of that academic work. The evaluation must include a course-by-course assessment, with grades or marks and credits or hours equated to the U.S. system. Click here for a list of evaluation services.

Curriculum Requirements

During the first semester in the program, each student must develop a plan of study in consultation with the Graduate Director. Thereafter, students consult with the Graduate Director who provides technical and procedural advising as well as substantive advice. However, students are also encouraged to discuss their research interests with individual members of the faculty. An orientation session for new and continuing students is provided at the beginning of the academic year. In addition, monthly professional workshops discuss topics of interest to graduate students.

Total Minimum Hours: 36 credit hours Common Core – 12 credit hours Major Field or Concentration 9 credit hours Electives – 9 credit hours minimum Thesis/Non-Thesis – 6 credit hours

For instructional purposes, the graduate curriculum in Political Science has been divided into four fields: Field 1 Comparative Politics (courses with a CPO prefix) Field 2 International Relations (courses with an INR prefix) Field 3 American Government (Courses with a PUP, POS, or URP prefix) Field 4 Political Theory (courses with a POT prefix)

Common Core Courses -12 credit hours POS 6735 Foundations of Political Inquiry (3)

Disciplinary Seminar Requirements - Select two: POS 6045 Seminar in American Government (3) POT 6007 Seminar in Political Theory (3) INR 6007 Seminar in International Relations (3) CPO 6091 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3)

Required Research Methods Sequence - Select one: POS 6746 Quantitative Analysis I (3) POS 6707 Qualitative Analysis (3)

Students may either choose a Major Field of study, or the concentration in Africana Studies. Major field - 9 credit hours

In addition to the core course in major area, three additional courses in the core area are chosen from American Government, Political Theory, International Relations, or Comparative Politics.

Concentration in Africana Studies - 9 credit hours AFA 6932: Topics in Africana Studies (3) AFA 6120: Social Theory and Social Thought (3) AFA 6108: Social Construction of Race and Racism (3)

Electives - 9 credit hours minimum. Electives include, but are not limited to: AFA 6207: African American Historiography AFA 6805: African Historiography AFA 6355: African American Community Research AFA 6387: Seminar on Genocide and Human Rights AFA 6932: Special Topics AFA 6905: Independent Study AFA 6910: Directed Research CPO 5934: Selected Topics in Comparative Politics (3) POS 6933: Selected Topics in Political Science (3)

Electives have to be approved by the Graduate Director. Other graduate courses may also be taken as electives, with approval by the Graduate Director.

Thesis/Non Thesis - 6 hours minimum Thesis POS 6971 6 Thesis: Master’s AFA 6971 6 Thesis: Master’s

Students must enroll in either POS 6971 or AFA 6971 (Africana Studies Concentration students) Thesis: Master’s for a minimum of 6 credit hours. In their thesis, students must provide new insight into a relevant topic in political science or international studies. As students approach the thesis stage, they need to compose a thesis committee consisting of a major professor, who must be a member of the Department of Government and International Affairs, and two readers. One of the two readers can be from another department, but that person must first be approved by the Graduate Director. The thesis committee must approve proposals before students embark on their projects. Students must prepare a written thesis and defend their work in a formal oral presentation before their committee.

Non-Thesis: Elective 3 Structured course approved by the Graduate Director and one of the following: POS 6909 3 Independent Study (for students in a major field) AFA 6905 3 Independent Study (for students in the Africana Studies Concentration)

Students who choose a non-thesis option will be required to complete an additional 6 hours of course work at the 6000 level. The student is required to demonstrate competency by successfully completing a substantial literature review of approximately 50 pages in his or her major field, or in the Africana Studies Concentration.

Comprehensive Examination For students in the thesis option, successful completion of the Thesis serves in lieu of the Comprehensive Exam. For students in the non-thesis option, the extensive literature review determines competency and serves as the equivalent of a comprehensive examination.

Students may take a maximum of 3 credit hours of Independent Study (POS 6909) and 3 credit hours of Directed Research (POS 6919)

For the full requirements, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies Graduate Catalog. 

Forms and information

General Information Course Offerings (Please verify the requirements based on the catalog from the year you were admitted) Research Proposal Example SIGS Graduate Resources   MA in Political Science Tracking Sheet   MA in Political Science/Africana Studies Concentration Tracking Sheet Independent Study/Directed Research Contract Graduate Catalog Listing Office of Graduate Studies Forms Plagiarism Information (Office of Graduate Studies) Thesis and Literature Review Forms Thesis, Dissertation, and Proposal Guidelines and Tips MA Thesis Checklist Graduate Student Supervisory Committee Appointment Form Request to Schedule Thesis Defense Form Certificate of Approval Form for Thesis & Dissertation Doing a Literature Review General Guidelines for the Literature Review (MA Student Non-Thesis Option)

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Full text of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's speech to U.S. Congress

Leader stresses that Japan has stepped up as a global partner

The following is the full text of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's speech at the U.S. Congress on Thursday.

1. Introduction

Mr. Speaker, Madam Vice President, Honorable Members of the United States Congress, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you, I never get such nice applause from the Japanese Diet.

And let me introduce my wife, Yuko, who is in the gallery. The fact that I married Yuko should give you great confidence in all my decisions.

I am truly honored to speak here in this citadel of democracy and before you, the representatives of the American people.

Nine years ago, the late Prime Minister Abe, who was a close friend of mine, stood in this very spot and gave an address titled "Toward an Alliance of Hope." I was Foreign Minister in his Cabinet at that time, and I was deeply struck to witness the bond between our two countries.

Since childhood, I have felt a connection to the United States, perhaps because I spent my first three years of elementary school at PS 20 and PS 13 in Queens, New York. Even though I was the only Japanese student there, my classmates kindly accepted me and helped me immerse myself in a new culture.

We arrived in the fall of 1963, and for several years my family lived like Americans. My father would take the subway to Manhattan where he worked as a trade official. We rooted for the Mets and the Yankees, and ate hot dogs at Coney Island. On vacation, we would go to Niagara Falls or here to Washington, D.C.

And I remember things that were strange and funny to a little Japanese boy, like watching the Flintstones. I still miss that show. Although I could never translate "yabba dabba doo."

After 60 years, I have a message for the good people of Queens. Thank you for making my family and me feel so welcome. I have never forgotten it.

So, I speak to you today as a long and close friend of the United States. I know that the National Park Service is undertaking a rehabilitation project in the Tidal Basin.

As a gesture of friendship, Japan will provide 250 cherry trees that will be planted there, in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of your independence.

2. The leadership of the United States

As you might also remember, the 1964 World's Fair was held in Queens. Its symbol was a giant Unisphere, and the fair's theme was "Peace Through Understanding." And yet we also know that peace requires more than understanding. It requires resolve.

The U.S. shaped the international order in the postwar world through economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power. It championed freedom and democracy. It encouraged the stability and prosperity of nations, including Japan. And, when necessary, it made noble sacrifices to fulfill its commitment to a better world.

The United States policy was based on the premise that humanity does not want to live oppressed by an authoritarian state, where you are tracked and surveilled and denied from expressing what is in your heart and on your mind.

You believed that freedom is the oxygen of humanity. The world needs the United States to continue playing this pivotal role in the affairs of nations. And yet, as we meet here today, I detect an undercurrent of self-doubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be.

3. New Challenges

This self-doubt is arising at a time when our world is at history's turning point. The post-Cold War era is already behind us, and we are now at an inflection point that will define the next stage of human history.

The international order that the U.S. worked for generations to build is facing new challenges, challenges from those with values and principles very different from ours.

Freedom and democracy are currently under threat around the globe. Climate change has caused natural disasters, poverty, and displacement on a global scale. In the COVID-19 pandemic, all humanity suffered.

Rapid advances in AI technology have resulted in a battle over the soul of AI that is raging between its promise and its perils. The balance of economic power is shifting. The Global South plays a greater role in responding to challenges and opportunities and calls for a larger voice.

Turning to Japan's own neighborhood, China's current external stance and military actions present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, not only to the peace and security of Japan but to the peace and stability of the international community at large.

While such a challenge from China continues, our commitment to upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law, as well as peace, will continue to be the defining agenda going forward.

As a Hiroshima native, I have devoted my political career to bringing about a world without nuclear weapons. For years, I have worked to revitalize the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime so that we can gain momentum in pursuit of the aspiration. But there exists an imminent danger of nuclear weapons proliferation in East Asia. North Korea's nuclear and missile program is a direct threat. The issue of abductions by North Korea remains a critical issue.

North Korea's provocations have impact beyond the region. It has also exported its ballistic missiles to support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, greatly increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Russia's unprovoked, unjust, and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine has entered its third year. As I often say, Ukraine of today may be East Asia of tomorrow. 

Furthermore, Russia continues to threaten the use of nuclear weapons, which has contributed to worldwide concern that yet another catastrophe by nuclear weapon use is a real possibility. In this reality, close coordination between Japan and the U.S. is required more than ever to ensure that the deterrence our Alliance provides remains credible and resilient.

New forms of oppression are being imposed on the world. Freedom is being suppressed through digital technologies. Social media is censored, monitored, and controlled.

There are growing cases of economic coercion and the so-called "debt trap" diplomacy, whereby the economic dependency of nations is exploited and weaponized.

Facing such rapidly changing pressures, how do we continue to safeguard our common values?

4. Global Partners

I want to address those Americans who feel the loneliness and exhaustion of being the country that has upheld the international order almost singlehandedly.

I understand it is a heavy burden to carry such hopes on your shoulders.

Although the world looks to your leadership, the U.S. should not be expected to do it all, unaided and on your own.

Yes, the leadership of the United States is indispensable.

Without U.S. support, how long before the hopes of Ukraine would collapse under the onslaught from Moscow?

Without the presence of the United States, how long before the Indo-Pacific would face even harsher realities?

Ladies and gentlemen, as the United States' closest friend, tomodachi , the people of Japan are with you, side by side, to assure the survival of liberty. Not just for our people, but for all people.

I am not saying this out of my strong attachment to America. I am an idealist but a realist, too. The defense of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law is the national interest of Japan.

The Japanese people are fully committed to these values. I do not want to leave our children a society where human rights are suppressed, where political self-determination is denied, where our lives are monitored by digital technology. I know you don't either.

Upholding these values is both a cause and a benefit for our two countries as well as for the generations to come across the world.

Right now, Japanese and U.S. service members are working side by side to deter aggression and ensure peace.

I admire them, I thank them, and I know I speak for all of us when I say -- they have the gratitude of both our nations.

On the spaceship called "Freedom and Democracy," Japan is proud to be your shipmate. We are on deck, we are on task. And we are ready to do what is necessary.

The democratic nations of the world must have all hands on deck. I am here to say that Japan is already standing shoulder to shoulder with the United States.

You are not alone. We are with you.

Japan has changed over the years. We have transformed ourselves from a reticent ally, recovering from the devastation of World War II, to a strong, committed ally, looking outward to the world.

Japan has transformed its national security strategy. Uncertainty about the future stability of the Indo-Pacific region caused us to change our policies and our very mindset. I myself have stood at the forefront in making our bilateral alliance even stronger.

In 2022, we announced that we would secure a substantial increase of our defense budget by FY 2027 to 2% of GDP, possess counterstrike capabilities, and improve cybersecurity. Today, the deterrence that our Alliance provides is stronger than ever, bolstered by U.S. extended deterrence for Japan.

Japan has taken strong sanctions against Russia in the wake of its aggression against Ukraine. We have announced over $12 billion in aid to Ukraine, including anti-drone detection systems. This is part of NATO's aid package, and yes, we are even working with NATO on the other side of the world from us.

I might add that in February, to help a devastated Ukraine get through these agonizing times, I hosted the conference for Ukraine's economic growth and reconstruction. Japan will continue to stand with Ukraine.

As the geopolitical landscape changed and as Japan grew in confidence, we expanded our outlook beyond that of being America's closest ally. We first became a regional partner of the United States, and now we have become your global partner. Never has our relationship been so close, our vision and approach so united.

Today, our partnership goes beyond the bilateral. Examples include trilateral and quadrilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, and the Philippines as well as cooperation through the G7 and with ASEAN. The three leaders of the U.S., the Republic of Korea and Japan convened at Camp David last summer to inaugurate a new era of our partnership.

From these various endeavors emerges a multilayered regional framework where our Alliance serves as a force multiplier. And, together with these like-minded countries, we are working to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Here in this chamber, we should have strong bipartisan support for these efforts.

Japan believes in U.S. leadership, and we also believe in the U.S. economy. Japan is the number one foreign direct investor in the United States. Japanese companies have invested around $800 billion, creating almost one million American jobs. These are good jobs with half a million jobs in the manufacturing sector alone.

At home, I am embarking on a set of initiatives called a New Form of Capitalism to drive the Japanese economy. The public and private sectors are joining hands to transform the social challenges we face into engines of growth. Wage increases, capital investment, stock prices -- all have attained levels not seen for thirty years. The Japanese economy is now making strides by capitalizing on these unprecedented and major changes. A growth-oriented Japanese economy should also spur even greater investment in the United States.

And we can then help boost the global economy to steer it toward a strong growth trajectory in the years to come. Just yesterday, President Biden and I demonstrated our commitment to leading the world on the development of the next generation of emerging technologies, such as AI, quantum, semiconductors, biotechnology, and clean energy.

And the scope of our bilateral cooperation expands to space as well, illuminating our path toward a brighter and more hopeful tomorrow. The TV broadcast of Apollo 11's lunar landing in 1969 is still seared into my memory. Japan's lunar lander mission in January achieved the first pinpoint landing in history. 

Yesterday, President Biden and I announced that a Japanese national will be the first non-American astronaut to land on the Moon on a future Artemis mission.

We have two astronauts with us today. Would Mr. Hoshide and Mr. Tani please stand?

Mr. Akihiko Hoshide has flown to space three times and served as commander of the International Space Station for five months in 2021.

Next to him, is Mr. Daniel Tani. He is a retired Japanese American astronaut who has conducted six spacewalks and in his two missions logged over 50 million miles.

Which is a lot of frequent-flyer points. Mr. Hoshide and Mr. Tani are living symbols of our collaboration in space, and we will have many more such collaborations in the future. Thank you, gentlemen. 

5. Conclusion

Let me close with this final thought. I want you to know how seriously Japan takes its role as the United States' closest ally.

Together we carry a large responsibility. I believe that we are essential to peace, vital to freedom, and fundamental to prosperity.

Bonded by our beliefs, I pledge to you Japan's firm alliance and enduring friendship.

"Global Partners for the Future." -- We are your global partner today, and we will be your global partner in the years ahead.

Thank you for inviting me, thank you for your hospitality, and thank you for the role you play in the world.

Japan's Kishida says U.S. not alone in upholding world order

In pictures: biden hosts japan's kishida at glitzy state dinner, biden and kishida strengthen bonds to defend global order, u.s.-japan-philippines hold first trilateral, with 'many more' to come, kishida: japan ready to step up as u.s. 'global partner' at biden summit, japan's kishida expects more u.s. chip collaboration opportunities, japan's kishida and biden to establish indo-pacific disaster relief hub, latest on international relations, biden says he expects iran to attack israel 'sooner, rather than later', china counters closer u.s.-japan-philippines ties with diplomatic flurry, sponsored content, about sponsored content this content was commissioned by nikkei's global business bureau..

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Mexico Breaks Diplomatic Ties With Ecuador After Arrest at Embassy

Jorge Glas, a former vice president, had taken refuge at the Mexican Embassy in Ecuador’s capital. Mexico’s president called his arrest a violation of international law.

By John Yoon ,  Isabella Kwai and Julie Turkewitz

The Ecuadorean police on Friday night arrested a politician who had taken refuge in the Mexican Embassy in Quito, after what Mexico described as a forced entry that violated the country’s sovereignty.

The move was a rare instance of one government entering another’s embassy to make an arrest. The episode prompted Mexico to suspend diplomatic relations with Ecuador and inflamed tensions, which were already high between the two countries.

The politician, Jorge Glas, a former vice president of Ecuador , had been sentenced to prison for corruption, the country’s presidential office said in a statement , which added that there had been a warrant out for his arrest. Mr. Glas, who had been living at the embassy in Ecuador’s capital since December, was granted political asylum by Mexico earlier on Friday.

The office of Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa, added that the arrest had gone forward because Mexico had abused the immunities and privileges granted to the diplomatic mission, and that Mr. Glas’s asylum was given “contrary to the conventional legal framework.”

Although it was difficult to immediately confirm exactly how the arrest happened, footage shared by Ecuadorean news outlets showed what appeared to be the aftermath: Police officers held back onlookers as two black cars, sirens blaring, drove out of the embassy. A man identified by local reporters as Roberto Canseco, the Mexican official in charge at the embassy, could be seen shouting, “No!” before officers pushed him to the ground.

Mr. Canseco told reporters that he was about to leave the embassy when, suddenly, he was faced with “police, thieves, who entered the embassy overnight.” He said he physically tried to stop them from entering . “They hit me, I was hit on the ground,” he said. “Like criminals, they broke into the Mexican Embassy in Ecuador.”

The arrest occurred after months of growing tensions between the two nations, in part over Mr. Glas, whom the Ecuadorean authorities consider a fugitive. Both sides have been trading barbs, which escalated this week after the Mexican president appeared to question the legitimacy of Ecuador’s most recent presidential election. The Ecuadorean government on Thursday effectively ordered Mexico’s ambassador to leave , declaring her a “persona non grata.” Mexico condemned that declaration on Friday and also granted Mr. Glas asylum.

Attacks on embassies carry particular weight because a 1961 treaty, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, allows them to be used as sanctuary. A host country’s police force cannot normally enter an embassy without the permission of its diplomatic staff.

There have been only a few cases in which governments have entered diplomatic premises without permission, said Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, the president of the Washington Office on Latin America, a research and advocacy organization based in the United States. “They have happened mainly in the context of military or authoritarian governments,” she said.

In this case, Ms. Jiménez Sandoval added, “Ecuador has truly crossed a red line by flagrantly violating international law.”

Diplomatic strains have grown across Latin America in recent months. President Gustavo Petro of Colombia has expelled Argentine diplomats — and then reinstated them — amid insults from President Javier Milei of Argentina. Mr. Milei has sparred frequently with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico and the government of President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.

Shortly after the arrest of Mr. Glas, Mr. López Obrador issued a statement calling the episode a “flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Mexico.” He added that the Ecuadorean police had used force to enter the embassy.

Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, said the country’s diplomatic personnel had sustained injuries in the altercation at the embassy, and that Mexico would file an appeal to the International Court of Justice.

The Ecuadorean Foreign Ministry said last month that it had requested Mexico’s permission to enter the embassy to arrest Mr. Glas.

On Saturday, the government of Nicaragua announced it was suspending its diplomatic relationship with Ecuador, characterizing the arrest as “neo-fascist political barbarity” in a statement shared by state-run media .

Mr. Glas, who served as vice president under President Rafael Correa from 2013 to 2017, had once been favored to succeed him. But in 2017, he was forced from office and found guilty of receiving bribes from Odebrecht, an international construction giant. In a far-reaching scandal that has implicated governments around Latin America with accusations of corruption, the company has admitted to paying some $800 million in bribes in more than a dozen countries. Mr. Glas was sentenced to six years in prison.

In 2020, he was embroiled in a separate high-profile bribery case , which also accused Mr. Correa of corruption. Both were convicted, and Mr. Glas was given an additional eight-year sentence. (Mr. Correa has been living in Belgium, where he said he has resisted extradition requests and been granted political asylum.)

In November 2022 , Mr. Glas was released early from prison. Faced with a third charge of embezzlement, he asked for asylum from Mexico last December. Lawyers for Mr. Glas have claimed that he is being politically persecuted.

That charge led the Ecuadorean authorities to obtain the arrest warrant that prompted the confrontation at the Mexican Embassy on Friday.

The rift between the two countries widened a few days ago, when Mr. López Obrador made public comments about the 2023 assassination of Fernando Villavicencio , an Ecuadorean presidential candidate, and criticized Ecuador’s current president, Mr. Noboa.

Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday called Mr. López Obrador’s remarks “unfortunate” and announced the measures against the Mexican ambassador, Raquel Serur Smeke.

In response, Mexico instructed its ambassador to return home and appointed Mr. Canseco, the head of the Mexican consular section in Quito, to lead the embassy.

Mr. Noboa, a center-right political outsider, took office in November after winning a high-stakes election in which corruption and drug-related violence had been foremost issues. Mr. Noboa pledged to crack down on drug-trafficking gangs and return the nation to its prosperous past.

In recent years, Ecuador has been wracked by rising violence driven by powerful drug-trafficking gangs. Reports of car bombings and police assassinations have become common, and the assassination of Mr. Villavicencio , a presidential candidate who had been vocal about corruption and organized crime, created further upheaval.

Mr. Noboa declared a state of internal conflict this year, granting him special power to take on organized crime. He has deployed troops against the gangs and drawn comparisons to President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, who has cracked down on gangs in his country. In both countries, human rights activists have raised alarms about the potential for such aggressive tactics to infringe on civil liberties or the rule of law.

Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the decision to flout norms and arrest Mr. Glas in the Mexican Embassy raised larger questions that confront Ecuadoreans and others across Latin America.

“What do they prefer, a world without due process, guarantees and laws, but with strong governments that can seek so-called justice almost at any cost?" he said. “Or do you want a world where you have strong laws and protections for the suspects and ‘innocent until proven guilty,’ but sometimes those laws’ guarantees are inevitably abused to seek impunity?”

Gonzalo Ortiz Crespo, a former Ecuadorean diplomat, said in an interview that the decision by Mr. Noboa’s government to enter the embassy set a bad precedent for international relations.

But he added that given the conflict in Ecuador over serious corruption and crime, he supported the decision to arrest Mr. Glas. “Because it’s also a bad precedent to allow asylum to serve as protection for criminals,” he said.

Several nations, including Chile , with a leftist president, and Uruguay , with a center-right leader, condemned Ecuador’s action. So did the Organization of American States, which called for dialogue between the two nations and for them to renounce “the use of force to resolve conflicts.”

Mark A. Walsh and Emiliano Rodríguez Mega contributed reporting.

John Yoon is a Times reporter based in Seoul who covers breaking and trending news. More about John Yoon

Isabella Kwai is a breaking news reporter in the London bureau. She joined The Times in 2017 as part of the Australia bureau. More about Isabella Kwai

Julie Turkewitz is the Andes Bureau Chief for The Times, based in Bogotá, Colombia, covering Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. More about Julie Turkewitz