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The Top International Relations Schools

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The Top International Relations Schools of 2024, Ranked

An insider’s guide to the world’s best programs—for both policy and academic careers.

The Teaching, Research, and International Policy (TRIP) Project at William & Mary’s Global Research Institute has long partnered with Foreign Policy to create a reputational ranking of academic programs in international relations. Over the past two decades, our process has remained simple and consistent: We ask IR professionals what they think are the five best places to study for an undergraduate, terminal master’s, and doctoral degree.

In our most recent survey on the topic, conducted from October 2022 to January 2023, we received responses from 979 IR scholars across the United States, 294 staff affiliated with U.S. think tanks, and 291 policymakers who worked in the U.S. government during the George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations. For the first time, we also asked respondents which Ph.D. programs are best for a student interested in a policy career, rather than an academic one. As the number of tenure-track positions in universities declines and the demand for expertise within the policy community increases , this question is more relevant today than ever before.

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• Ph.D., ACADEMIC
• Ph.D., POLICY

Undergraduate Programs

These results should look familiar to those who follow national undergraduate rankings. Ivy League schools, Stanford University, the University of Chicago, and a few large public universities were favored across the board. But a handful of outliers punched well above their weight: Georgetown University, American University, George Washington University, Tufts University, and William & Mary all placed much higher here compared with their rankings in U.S. News & World Report , widely considered the most influential college ranking in the United States. In fact, Georgetown stands out as the top undergraduate choice among policymakers and think tank staff.

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Master’s Programs

For master’s students hoping to pursue a policy career, all three groups we surveyed expressed a preference for programs on the East Coast. Only a few schools located west of the Rocky Mountains made the top 20 in each list. Respondents also highlighted several options outside the United States in the top 20: IR faculty included four international programs, while policymakers included five—all located in Europe—and think tankers included eight, one of which is in Asia.

Ph.D. Programs for Academics

IR faculty members’ rankings of Ph.D. programs have proved remarkably stable over the years. Between our 2017 survey and our most recent one, no top 15 program has moved more than one spot in either direction; in fact, most held the same rank. Additionally, policymakers and think tank staff appeared to value academic Ph.D. programs located in Washington, D.C., and outside the United States much more than U.S.-based IR scholars did.

Ph.D. Programs for Policymakers

When asked about doctoral students pursuing a policy career, all three groups we surveyed showed a preference for institutions with strong connections to Washington. Schools such as George Washington University, Georgetown University, and American University are ranked higher for students pursuing policy careers than for those hoping to enter academia. Conversely, institutions such as the University of Chicago and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are ranked lower for policy careers than academic ones. This shift highlights the importance of proximity to policy centers and the availability of practical engagement opportunities in shaping perceptions of a program’s value for a policy-oriented career in IR.

Advice to Prospective Students

Prospective students would do well to explore the specific features of various programs rather than focusing solely on a broad reputational ranking, which tells us little about a program’s regional, functional, or methodological strengths. For example, both academic and policymaker respondents who specialize in international political economy and/or trade policy ranked the London School of Economics master’s program higher than respondents who focus on security policy. Similarly, academics who specialize in the study of Latin America ranked the University of California, Berkeley Ph.D. program higher for an academic career than their non-Latin Americanist colleagues.

Still, prospective students should keep in mind that reputation matters. Although reputation may be an imperfect indicator of quality, it is a strong indicator of perceived quality within the field. A program’s standing can have conscious and unconscious effects on graduate school admissions committees, scholarship committees, and hiring managers in the public, private, and higher education sectors. For this reason, our ranking provides a systematic measure of these perceptions to assist prospective students in making informed choices as they plan for their future.

Advancing a Global Affairs Career

The intersection of large-scale challenges and technological advancements demands a broader range of knowledge and skills from international relations professionals. Learn about the impact this is having on employment trends in the latest FP Graduate School Guide .

To learn how your academic institution can be part of the FP Guides, contact Director of Academic Partnerships: Sherri Greeves, [email protected] .

Irene Entringer García Blanes is a senior project manager for the Teaching, Research, and International Policy Project at William & Mary. Twitter:  @EntringerIrene

Susan Peterson is the Wendy and Emery Reves professor of government and international relations at William & Mary.

Michael J. Tierney is the George and Mary Hylton professor of international relations and director of the Global Research Institute at William & Mary. Twitter:  @MikeTierneyIR

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The History Department and Graduate Program

The University of Virginia, founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, is a medium-sized state university of 17,500 students. It is also, as Jefferson envisioned, an institution which attracts students from all parts of the nation and the world.

The graduate program in history is designed to provide professional training in history, with the expectation that most of its Ph.D. graduates will take teaching positions in colleges and universities. In recent years our graduates have accepted appointments at Brown, Cornell, Duke, Princeton, Rutgers, Texas, Utah, the University of Wisconsin, Yale, and the University of Michigan, as well as at smaller colleges such as Davidson, Reed, Kenyon, William and Mary, and Williams and at regional universities such as Alabama, Florida State, North Carolina at Greensboro, and Texas A&M. Some of our graduates take non-academic positions: in recent years these jobs have included positions in banking and business firms, university libraries, government agencies, congressional staffs, and the Foreign Service. The department has a Placement Officer who helps Ph.D. candidates secure academic positions and cooperates with University Career Services to direct graduates to opportunities in other fields.

The Corcoran Department of History offers courses of study leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Students can earn a terminal M.A. or an M.A. degree en route to the Ph.D after the second year in the program. In addition, the department offers, in collaboration with the University of Virginia School of Law, a joint J.D./M.A.program in legal history. Approximately forty history graduate students are in residence in Charlottesville each year, of whom ten to twelve are in their first year of graduate work. 

Faculty and Fields

Graduate instruction and research are offered in the following fields of world history.

American History —Colonial and early national, southern, social, cultural, economic, intellectual, and nineteenth and twentieth-century political and diplomatic history are strongly represented. In addition, American history offerings are enriched by the existence of an excellent legal history program, whose director teaches American legal history; the Miller Center of Public Affairs ; the International Center for Jefferson Studies connected to Monticello, and the Carter G. Woodson Institute of African-American and African Studies, established in 1981, which bring research scholars from all over the country to Charlottesville. Many history graduate students also take advantage of the strong courses in American literature given by the English Department, and relevant seminars in Anthropology, Art History, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Politics.

East Asia —There is a growing East Asia program with courses on Japan, China, and Korea. Students train in languages and related disciplines. The department brings scholars from around the world to participate in the instructional program.

Early Modern World —Ph.D. students focusing on the early modern world, ca. 1400-1800, study with faculty members whose work incorporates a broad range of geographic specializations and methodological approaches to the early modern world.

Europe —Here the department can offer unusually broad coverage, with courses in French, German, Italian, British, and Russian history, as well as separate fields in Ancient, Medieval, and Jewish history. Social, cultural, and intellectual history, as well as political and diplomatic history and the history of science are well represented. Extensive resources outside the department in European literature and languages may be drawn upon, including a Center for Russian and East European Studies. In recent years Ph.D. students trained in the department in European history have won Fulbright, Mellon, FLAS, DAAD, German Marshall, and other fellowships to carry on their doctoral research abroad. The University also has several of its own fellowships for study abroad, including an annual exchange program with the Ecole Normale Supérior in Paris.

International History —The History Department has great strength in international history, a capacious field of study that has developed a rich historiography in recent years. Historians working in this area tend to examine subjects that cross borders and are unmoored from a purely national historical context. For example, international history includes the history of imperialism and colonization, economic and financial arrangements among states, diplomacy and statecraft, comparative ideologies, human rights, the cultural dimensions of international relations, war and its impact upon society, migration and refugees, genocide, epidemics and public health, cross-border movements of ideas, goods, and people, and the place of non-governmental organizations in the modern world. Core faculty in this field include William Hitchcock, Melvyn Leffler, Erik Linstrum, Jim Loeffler, Christian McMillen, Brian Owensby, Jeff Rossman, Steve Schuker, David Singerman, and Philip Zelikow.

Jewish History —The Jewish history program leads the field in its concentration on linking traditional areas of scholarship, such as Zionism, antisemitism, and the Holocaust to emerging fields in the larger arena of historiography, including the history of human rights, forced migration, and genocide, legal history, the history of international institutions, and memory studies. Faculty have also worked closely with Jewish Studies specialists in musicology, art history, and literature to promote new directions in cultural history, including sound studies, visual aesthetics, and the history of emotions.

Latin America —Four historians of Latin America, along with a large Spanish and Portuguese department, offer opportunities for study of the colonial and modern periods, with special attention to Spanish South America, and Brazil.

Middle East —Three historians of the Middle East cover the early modern and modern periods, with support from area specialists in Religious Studies, Politics, and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures. The program’s strengths are in the interdisciplinary study of the early modern Mediterranean and Ottoman Empire and 20th-century state formation, colonization, gender, and war. 

Science, Technology, and the Environment —Seven historians at the University of Virginia conduct research on subjects related to history of science, history of technology, and environmental history. Ph.D. students in this program may work with professors in the Department of History as well as with professors with joint appointments in History and the School of Engineering, which has a program in Science, Technology, and Society.

South Asia —The study of South Asia and India is enhanced by strong supporting faculties in Anthropology, Religious Studies, and Languages, all associated with the University's Center for South Asian Studies and one of the country's leading South Asian libraries.

Resources and Advisors

All history graduate students draw heavily on Alderman Library , a research library of four million volumes, with a working collection suitable for advanced studies and research. Alderman, an open-stack library, is easy to use and is located at the center of the University grounds. The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library holds about ten million manuscripts and rare books; the collection of material on American southern history is among the richest in the country, as is the collection in American literature. In addition, many history students take advantage of the immense resources of the nearby Library of Congress and of other unique historical depositories in Washington, D.C., such as the Folger Shakespeare Library and the United States National Archives .

A graduate student entering the department will probably note first that the moderate size of the student body and the relatively large size of the faculty has created an informal and mutually supportive scholarly community. Each entering student is assigned a faculty advisor but is encouraged to seek advice from other teachers and ultimately to choose a thesis advisor on the basis of individual interest. Ultimately, all students work with a committee of selected advisors. And because classes include students at all stages of their graduate careers, beginning students quickly meet advanced students and learn to benefit from their experience.

It is wise to begin planning for graduate study at least a year before one's intended date of entry. Requests for transcripts and letters of reference should also be made early to allow time for confirmation from the Department and for follow-up if necessary. Notice of admission and awards of financial aid are made once each year, in spring, for the coming full academic term. The Department will notify applicants of missing elements of their application files, but responsibility for submitting a complete application eligible for review rests with the applicant. For additional information, see Application Procedure .

Housing and The Student Body

The University itself is cosmopolitan. About a third of the undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences come from outside the state, as do the great majority of the students in the graduate school. An assiduous recruiting program has resulted in a significant and gratifying increase in minority enrollments as well as international students.

Student housing includes dormitories for single men and women and married-student units constructed by the University. There are also many apartment units and townhouse complexes within convenient walking distance of the University. Most graduate students live in off-grounds housing. Applications and information for on- and off-grounds housing can be found on the Housing Division web page .

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. 

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UVA strongly supports international collaboration and values its partnerships with universities and other organizations worldwide; however, it is important that all members of the research community understand the current regulatory and enforcement landscape. The U.S. Government has taken, and will continue to take, steps to increase oversight and protect U.S. research investments from undue foreign influence and by those seeking to compromise U.S. national and economic security by undermining our primacy as a global leader in research and technology development. Foreign governments’ active recruitment of scholars into “foreign talent (recruitment) programs” and their attempts to influence nationals of their country (and supported nationals of other countries) to misappropriate federally funded research results and intellectual property from U.S. institutions of higher education are of particular concern. These efforts threaten the integrity of the research enterprise by undermining the foundational principles and values upon which it's based. They are also contrary to our institutional values and code of ethics .  

UVA's Commitment to and Support of Global Engagement

The University of Virginia believes that global engagement, both by bringing international scholars to Grounds and encouraging our scholars to collaborate internationally, enriches the student experience and brings diverse knowledge and experiences that enhance our scholarship. UVA’s global engagement initiatives aspire to establish “a vibrant global presence that fosters global knowledge, inquiry, and cross-cultural understanding among faculty and students” (Global Affairs) which is seen as critical to positioning our students, the University, and the Commonwealth for success in an increasingly interconnected world.  UVA promotes and supports global engagement of our faculty and students as part of our commitment to diversity, which along with ethics, integrity and academic excellence form the foundation of our University culture. “When people of different backgrounds come together, they exchange ideas, question assumptions (including their own), and broaden horizons for us all” (UVA’s Commitment to Diversity).  Global engagement is a net positive for the University and nearly all forms of international collaboration and exchange are encouraged by University priorities and permitted by institutional policies as well as applicable laws and regulations. However, in limited instances, these activities may pose a risk of harm, loss of funding, or legal consequences for the University, its students, and its faculty. Taking a few simple steps, consistent with established University expectations and existing practices, will help ensure that international collaborations and other global engagement activities are transparent and in full compliance with applicable requirements.  This guidance has been prepared by the Offices of the Vice President for Research and Vice Provost for  Global Affairs .

Need help, have a question, or want to report a concern??  Email  ForeignInfluence @virginia.edu .

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Government & Foreign Affairs Major Requirements

This program consists of 30 credits of course work in the Department of Politics plus 12 hours of related coursework, as specified below.

Prerequisites to Declare a Government or Foreign Affairs Major

For College students declaring their major during or before their fourth term (spring term, second year):

• Six credits of PL** coursework, taken at UVa (no transfer courses). Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course, and have an average GPA of 2.5 across the two. The 2.5 GPA requirement is waived for Spring 2020 courses with a grade of “Credit.” 
• Current enrollment in one additional PL** course.

For College students declaring their major during their fifth term (fall term, third year), including transfer students:

• Current enrollment in two additional PL** courses.

For College students who have not completed any Politics courses with a grade of C or better before their third year or fifth term:

• You may request to defer the declaration of the Government major, if you are currently enrolled in two PL** courses at UVa.

Minimum Performance Requirements

Only courses with a grade of at least "C" may count toward major requirements.

Students who earn a grade of "C–" or lower in three PL** courses may not continue as majors.

Major Course Requirements

The course requirements are slightly different for Government and Foreign Affairs majors:

Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement Credit

No advanced placement (AP) or dual enrollment credit may count toward the 30 hours of PL coursework required for the major or for Related Courses credit.

Transfer and Study-Abroad Credit

With the approval of the DUP, the following transfer/study abroad credit may count toward major requirements:

• Up to six hours of PL transfer credit may count toward the Government or Foreign Affairs Elective requirement. 
• Up to six hours of transfer credit may count toward the Related Courses requirement.
• Up to six hours of study abroad transfer credit may count toward any major requirement. If you study abroad for a full year, this limit is raised to nine credits.

To get SIS to record approval of your transfer classes, please have your major advisor email the DUP the name of your prior institution, the number and title of the course you took there, and the course number the advisor considers to be equivalent at UVA (if any).

Distinguished Majors Program (DMP)

The DMP is an advanced program for Politics Department majors that involves in-depth research and a thesis during the fourth year. Students may apply to DMP in the spring of their third year; see the  Distinguished Majors Program page  for details.

The Honors Program in an intensive weekly seminar with a small cohort in each of the department’s four fields, completed during the student's fourth year. See the  Honors Program page  for details.

To be fair to all students, exceptions from the rules listed above will be granted only under exceptional circumstances.  Students wishing to petition for an exemption should first secure the approval of their advisor. Then they may petition the Director of Undergraduate Programs, using the  Exceptions Form .

Where can I find the official academic requirements for the University?

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at  http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php .

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Graduate Students are at the heart of our educational and research missions. They play a pivotal role in maintaining our institution's standing as a leading research university. Positioned at the forefront of cutting-edge research, they contribute significantly to our academic advancements. The strength of our graduate programs attracts top-tier faculty members, enhancing the educational experience for all students. Through their dedicated teaching and mentorship, undergraduates benefit immensely. Whether you are considering applying, currently pursuing studies, or supporting graduate students as faculty or staff, we trust that this website will provide you with valuable information and resources.

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University of Virginia School of Law

J.D.-M.A. Program in Foreign Affairs

The School of Law and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) offer a J.D./M.A. combination-program in Foreign Affairs designed to accommodate the interests of students who desire to complement their training in law and theoretical, historical, interpretive and quantitative methods derived from the study of foreign affairs and politics.

Admission to the Program

The student is obligated to secure separate admission to both the School of Law and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.  Application to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences may be made prior to entrance or while the applicant is a first-year student at the School of Law.  In either case, applicants to the Program will be held to the same standards as other applicants to each school. Applicants’ status as a candidate for the Program will not be considered in the admission process.  Once admitted independently to each school, the student may make application to the Program Committee for admission to the Program.  Admission to the Program will be judged according to criteria developed by the Program Committee and will not be guaranteed by virtue of acceptance at both schools. 

Graduate Admissions   Law School Admissions

The Program will take seven regular semesters to complete (summer semesters do not count); under no circumstances will a student be allowed to complete the program in less than seven semesters.  In brief, the program consists of the complete firs t-year program in the School of Law (two semesters) followed by five semesters of courses taken from the curricula of the two schools and, in appropriate cases, from other graduate offerings at the University.

Students must comply with all of the policies and meet all of the requirements set by both schools for the award of both the J.D. and the M.A., including the required curriculum and minimum academic standards.  The student must complete a minimum of 86 credits in the School of Law and a minimum of 30 credits in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

With the approval of the School of Law representatives on the Program Committee, students may earn one residency semester and receive up to 12 of the 86 credits required for the J.D. degree in appropriate graduate-level work in the Department of Politics or other department at the University.  Students must receive approval from the School of Law representative on the Program Committee prior to enrolling in any courses outside the School of Law.  Similarly, with the approval of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences representative on the Program Committee, a student may receive up to six credits toward the M.A. degree through the successful completion of coursework from an approved list of courses that are taught at the School of Law.  Students should consult with the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences representative on the Program Committee prior to enrollment to identify these approved courses.  NOTE: In accordance with ABA standards, J.D. degree candidates may not receive credit toward the J.D. degree for more than 17 credits total in any given semester.  In addition, credit towards the J.D. degree cannot be granted for course work completed prior to matriculation at the School of Law.

Change of Status

At any point in the Program, students may terminate plans for a combination-degree program and continue toward a single degree at either school. The student then must satisfy the normal requirements of the selected program, which may include credits completed in the other school, as determined by the appropriate officials in the selected program. Students put on probation or suspended for academic reasons from one program will be evaluated by the other program to verify their good standing for continued enrollment. Students must remain active in both programs to be awarded combination degrees.

Tuition and Fees 

During the first five semesters of the program, the student will pay tuition to the School of Law according to its tuition schedule.  During the final two semesters of the program, the student will pay tuition to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences according to its tuition schedule.

Administrative Stewardship

Administrative stewardship for a program participant at any given point in time during the program is the School of Enrollment: the School of Law for semesters one through five, and GSAS for semesters six and seven.  For example, because GSAS is the School of Enrollment for a program participant during their sixth semester in the program, GSAS administers the course enrollment process for the sixth semester following its enrollment policies and practices.  The School of Law and GSAS Registrars coordinate closely for course enrollments and other program issues, but the School of Enrollment is the controlling one for administrative issues.

• Financial Aid

Financial aid (including loans and scholarships) will be provided by the school to which the student is paying tuition in a given semester. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University regulations and availability. Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress standards of the school providing the financial aid in a given semester.

Extracurricular Activities

Students are eligible to participate in the extracurricular activities of both schools to the extent that time permits.  Because of the possibility of over-commitment, however, counsel of the Program Committee is recommended.

Grading Standards

The student is required to meet the grading standards of both schools independently to remain in good academic standing. Each school retains the right to drop students from its degree program following its usual academic standards and procedures. Problems that arise in translation of different grading scales resulting from the combination program will be dealt with by the Program Committee. Grades for each course will be recorded on students’ transcripts under the system in effect at the school in which the course is taken.

Administration of the Program

Management of the program and advising of participating students are entrusted to Professor John Norton Moore in the School of Law and the graduate advisor in the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics .

FOR MORE INFORMATION : Contact the Law School faculty advisor, Professor Tom Nachbar .

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Our distinguished faculty works closely with students in graduate seminars, colloquia, and tutorials that form the core of advanced training at Chicago. As in any program, a student is expected to learn to read critically, to analyze primary sources skillfully, and to write rigorously. At Chicago we also expect students to produce work that significantly advances the frontiers of their field.

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University of Virginia - Main Campus Doctorate in International Relations

How much does a doctorate in international relations from university of virginia cost, university of virginia graduate tuition and fees.

Does University of Virginia Offer an Online Doctorate in International Relations?

University of virginia doctorate student diversity for international relations, male-to-female ratio.

None of the students who received their Doctorate in international relations in 2019-2020 were women.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

Of those graduates who received a doctor’s degree in international relations at University of Virginia in 2019-2020, 33.3% were racial-ethnic minorities*. This is higher than the nationwide number of 23%.

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International relations and global studies, ba.

• New York City
• Westchester

Understanding World Affairs

Become a citizen of the world and gain a profound understanding of global issues. The BA in International Relations major prepares you for global citizenship by requiring you to follow an interdisciplinary course of study. You will take courses in political science and choose an area of focus based on individual interests.

Interdisciplinary Approach

• You will gain the tools you need to analyze trends in a complex global world by analyzing dilemmas such as why sometimes countries go to war, and when they are able to forge peace; what is the relationship between wealthy countries and poorer ones, and how do we create a just society?
• You will bring together empirical questions and questions of justice, examining how institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union, and the International Monetary Fund work to promote peace, security, prosperity and economic relations. You also will think about how such institutions may need reform.

Take Courses Like…

As this is an interdisciplinary major, requirements include three groups of courses: required courses in political science, electives in political science and other fields like history, economics, peace and justice, and others; and you will choose a minor in any of the following programs: history, economics, environmental studies, modern languages, global Asia, Latin American studies, peace and justice studies, diplomacy, non-profit studies, and women’s and gender studies.

Sample courses include:

• POL 114 Introduction to International Relations
• POL 303A Workshop: International Organization (Model United Nations)
• POL 322 Diplomacy

Opportunities and Experiences

You can expect engrossing debates in a friendly atmosphere and lively lectures by knowledgeable faculty who will challenge you to think critically, and grow academically and professionally, to meet the career opportunities of the 21st century.

The faculty of the department includes nationally and internationally recognized scholars, who are also engaging teachers and activists. Their scholarship is evidenced by their numerous books, monographs, global awards, and articles published in journals, newspapers, and periodicals intended for general audiences. The department’s faculty members also present their research at international, national, and regional conferences.

You have an opportunity to gain practical, resume-building experiences through participation in the award-winning Model United Nations team, as well as internships at the UN and affiliated non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and think tanks.

Choose Your Career

With the BA in International Relations and Global Studies, you will be prepared for careers at the United Nations, UNICEF, and non-governmental organizations, as well as in sectors such as international journalism, international law, and business.

Where Graduates are Employed

You may go on to have successful careers in fields including, but not limited to:

• Federal, state, and local governments
• Advanced education in government and public administration
• Political campaigns
• Public and private interest groups
• Foundations and intellectual or benevolent institutions
• Careers in business, especially with corporations that do business internationally
• Law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice organizations
• Military service
• Public service, nonprofit administration, and work with non-governmental organizations

In addition, you may go on to graduate or law school, or careers in higher education, education, nonprofit organizations, law, government agencies, multi-national corporations, and financial institutions.

Study Postgraduate

Phd in politics and international studies (2023 entry).

Course code

2 October 2023

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 Graduate School, IT Services and the Careers and Skills Office.

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 2023 for an Autumn 2023 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:i 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.

Taught course fees   Research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad. Information about department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our  Module Catalogue  (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• 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)
• Public Policy (MA)
• United States Foreign Policy (MA)

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

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.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

Postgraduate Open Day

Postgraduate fairs.

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.

Find out more

Every week, you can connect directly with representatives from Warwick, who will be answering your questions on applying to and studying postgraduate studies at Warwick.

Sign up for Live Chats

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

Connect with us

Want to hear more about postgraduate study at Warwick? Register your interest and find out more.

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

Why Warwick

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

6th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2022) Link opens in a new window

64th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023) Link opens in a new window

5th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employers Link opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

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

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2023 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.

Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology

Cmu's home for political science and international relations.

Civil-Military Relations

Course number: 84-619.

Why do militaries (people with guns) ever obey civilians (people without guns)? Can we have a military strong enough to protect civilians, yet not so strong as to ignore or subvert civilian authority? What is the dividing line between civilian and military spheres of activity? How much influence should civilians have on activities within the military sphere, and how much influence should the military have in the civilian sphere? How does all of this affect a state’s ability to both protect itself and project power globally?

Examining the theory and practice of civil-military relations in the U.S. and the world, this course explores issues related to civilian control of the military and military professionalism, including coups d’état, military disobedience, the impact of an all-volunteer vs. conscripted force on both civilian and military decisions, public-private partnerships in the military sphere, the role of military privatization in civil-military relations, and the role of servicemembers in the political life of the community. Relying on the influential texts of Lasswell, Huntington, Feaver, and Finer, the first half of the course aims to elucidate the theory behind basic tensions between the military and civilians. The second half of the course focuses on how theory translates into practice, with a particular focus on case studies of civil-military relations in the U.S. democratic system.

Academic Year: 2023-2024 Semester(s): Spring Units: 12 Location(s): Pittsburgh

Instructor(s):

• Molly Dunigan

Spring 2024 Monday 7:00-9:50 PM

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Prospective student looking to study international relations!

Hello! I’m a high school junior interested in studying international relations and possibly a minor in religion. I know at UVA you apply to a school and I was wondering if I would apply to the college of arts and science or the Batten School? I’m sort of confused of how the Batten school operates, if anyone can give my some insight that would be great!

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Did you notice an error or suspect this job is scam tell us., graduate assistants - international relations at zetech university.

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Graduate Assistants - International Relations

• Job Type Part Time
• Qualification BA/BSc/HND
• Experience 3 years
• Location Nairobi
• Job Field Education / Teaching  

Ref: (ZU/10/Adv/30/2024)

Duties and Responsibilities

• To teach at Diploma and Certificate level, in areas allocated by the Head of Department and reviewed from time to time by the Head of Department.
• Student mentorship
• Supervise or assist with supervision of any research studies, attachment and teaching practice undertaken by the students.
• Participate in the development, administration and marking of examinations and other assessments
• To handle students’ grievances that relate to their learning needs.
• Any other duty assigned by your supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

International Relations

• A Bachelor’s degree in International Relations qualification from a recognised/accredited University in the relevant field
• Registration for a Master’s degree/ongoing will be an added advantage;
• At least three (3) years’ of post-qualification teaching experience
• Demonstrated potential for university teaching and research.
• Commitment to high-quality teaching and fostering a positive learning environment for students.

Method of Application

Interested candidates should send their applications to  [email protected]  quoting the job reference number on the subject line and; indicating their  current  and  expected salary  on their application letter, not later than  30th August 2024.

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