fully funded phd in international relations

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Top 15 Fully Funded PhD in International Relations

Hey there dream-chasers! Ready to dive into the world of International Relations and make a difference? We know that funding can be a big roadblock, but fear not! We’ve got your back with a list of the top 15 fully funded PhD programs in International Relations. These aren’t just academic programs; they’re your ticket to exploring the global stage without worrying about the financial hurdles.

• Stanford University – Department of Political Science: Imagine yourself at Stanford, where every idea is a step towards changing the world. They’ve got a fully funded PhD program in International Relations waiting for someone like you.
• Harvard University – Government Department: Harvard – the name alone sparks inspiration. The Government Department is your gateway to a fully funded PhD in International Relations. Ready to make your mark?
• University of Cambridge – Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS): Picture yourself at the University of Cambridge, exploring the cobblestone streets and delving into groundbreaking research in International Relations. The best part? It’s fully funded.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Political Science Department: MIT – where innovation meets intellect. The Political Science Department has a fully funded PhD program waiting for your brilliant ideas. Ready to shine?
• Princeton University – Department of Politics: Princeton beckons, and your journey in International Relations begins here, fully funded and ready for your unique perspective.
• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) – International Relations Department: LSE – the heartbeat of London. Imagine navigating global issues in the heart of the city, fully funded and supported. Ready to be a part of it?
• Yale University – Department of Political Science: Yale – where traditions meet the future. Dive into International Relations with a fully funded PhD program that values both theory and real-world impact.
• University of Chicago – Department of Political Science: The University of Chicago – where theory meets practice. Your fully funded PhD journey in International Relations starts here.
• University of Oxford – Department of Politics and International Relations: Oxford – where history and innovation collide. Picture yourself at one of the world’s oldest universities, fully funded and ready to make history.
• Columbia University – Department of Political Science: Columbia – the city that never sleeps meets the department that never stops pushing boundaries. Dive into International Relations fully funded and with the world at your fingertips.
• University of California, Berkeley – Department of Political Science: UC Berkeley – where diversity thrives and ideas flourish. Imagine a fully funded PhD in International Relations, exploring the intersection of ideas and cultures.
• Johns Hopkins University – Department of Political Science: Johns Hopkins – where research meets impact. Your fully funded PhD in Political Science, specializing in International Relations, awaits. Ready to be a changemaker?
• University of Michigan – Department of Political Science: The University of Michigan – where theory meets action. Join a fully funded PhD program in International Relations that values a balanced approach to making a difference.
• Georgetown University – Department of Government: Georgetown – where perspectives collide and ideas take flight. Your fully funded PhD in International Relations starts here, embracing diversity and curiosity.
• University of California, San Diego – School of Global Policy and Strategy: UC San Diego – where policy meets the global stage. Envision a fully funded PhD program in International Relations, focusing on real-world impact. Ready to shape the future?

Conclusion:

So, there you have it – your guide to 15 incredible fully funded PhD programs in International Relations. Your dreams are within reach, and these programs are not just academic institutions; they’re your partners in making a global impact. Take that leap, apply, and let your journey begin! We’re rooting for you!

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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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Expertise, rigor, & excellence

The challenges currently facing our world are numerous and varied. Successfully handling these issues requires the brightest and best-trained minds. The School of International Service's (SIS) PhD in International Relations provides qualified and dedicated students with the training, knowledge, and experience necessary to pursue careers in the scholarly and policy worlds and to contribute game-changing solutions in international affairs as emerging thought leaders.

With its large and diverse faculty, SIS offers a broad, interdisciplinary, and policy-relevant approach to the study of international affairs. We value theoretical diversity, intellectual breadth, analytical rigor, and scholarly excellence. SIS is committed to maintaining, both among its faculty and within its doctoral program, the expertise needed for the rigorous analysis of critical issues in international affairs.

The PhD program requires 39 credit hours of approved graduate coursework, plus the successful defense of a dissertation. The first year is devoted to core courses and methods training. In the second year, students complete one of the concentrations offered by SIS, or construct one of their own.

Students must also successfully complete two comprehensive exams - a qualifying exam at the end of their first year and a concentration comp at the end of the second year. Students are also asked to demonstrate competency in a modern foreign language .

The dissertation must advance knowledge in the field of international relations, broadly defined. Students select and design their own research project in consultation with a committee of at least three experts in their chosen field of study. Students advance to candidacy upon the successful defense of a dissertation prospectus, usually in their third year. A public defense of the dissertation is required for graduation.

The PhD degree Full degree and admission requirements

SIS has more than 120 full-time faculty from across the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, geography, law, political science, and sociology. Our faculty research and write on a variety of geographic and intellectual areas; many have extensive experience in the public and private sectors, both in the United States and internationally.  

SIS PhD students use rigorous training in both qualitative and quantitative methods to pursue a variety of research topics including:

• The sources of cohesion in alliance relations.
• The interaction between state and local fisheries management practices in Uganda and how this effects compliance and legitimacy.
• The role of public diplomacy in US-China relations.
• Transitional justice and its relationship to governance in Poland.

Unless students bring their own external funding, normally those admitted to the program are offered a Dean's Fellowship, which is renewable for up to four years for full-time students who maintain good progress toward completing the degree. The Dean's Fellowship provides full tuition remission plus a stipend that requires the student to work for a member of the SIS faculty as a either a Research or a Teaching Assistant for a maximum of 20 hours per week during both the Fall and Spring semesters.

Other sources of funding are available for summer research, travel for conference presentations, and additional methods training.

PhD Placements

SIS PhD Alumni hold appointments at top schools and organizations, including:

• Georgetown University
• University of Warwick, Britain
• Fudan University, China
• Towson University

More PhD placements

Challenging Oppressive Hierarchies

K. Melchor Hall, SIS/PHD '14

Doctoral Faculty, Fielding Graduate University

At SIS, I was transdisciplinary, challenging boundaries of borrowed traditions.

I lived in Chocolate City before attending SIS, the experience deepened my understanding of the layering of cartographies of struggle and imperial maps. It was both disorienting and transformative to arrive where I started and find myself un-mapped. Studying international relations has deepened my commitment to challenging the oppressive hierarchies of Borderlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should i apply and when are the application deadlines.

In order to be considered for admission, applications and all supporting materials are due by December 15. New students begin in the fall semester. The program is designed for full-time study only and is not offered online. Students may not defer admission into the program.

View required application materials

Where will a PhD from the School of International Service take me?

Our graduates go on to careers in university teaching and research, government, and non-government organizations in the United States as well as around the globe.

Recent PhD program graduates are now on the faculty at a wide range of colleges and universities, including Virginia Tech, the University of Warwick, and the University of Denver. Graduates also hold government and industry positions, including with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Foreign Service.

Looking for more information or help? The SIS PhD has a dedicated placement officer to assist current students and alumni.

Is there financial assistance available?

Applicants who are admitted to the SIS PhD program as full-time students and who maintain good progress towards completing the degree are granted a Dean's Fellowship, unless they have their own external funding.

Need-based aid is available through AU Central Office and generally takes the form of a federal low-interest loan package.

Federal loan and work study information for graduate students

Still have questions? Send us an email at [email protected]

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Fully Funded PhD in International Relations at Johns Hopkins University

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Johns Hopkins University continues to offer a fully funded Ph.D. program in International Relations, reflecting its commitment to fostering scholarly expertise in the field. The program, exclusive to full-time participants, is administered by Johns Hopkins SAIS (School of Advanced International Studies), providing a rigorous academic environment for aspiring scholars.

PhD Program Requirements

Prospective candidates seeking admission to the Ph.D. program in International Relations at Johns Hopkins University should demonstrate a strong academic background, preferably with a master’s degree in a relevant field. Admission decisions are based on a holistic assessment of academic achievements, research potential, and the alignment of the applicant’s research interests with the program’s objectives.

PhD Funding Coverage

All admitted Ph.D. students at Johns Hopkins University receive a scholarship that covers tuition and provides a stipend for a limited duration. This financial support alleviates the financial burden on students, allowing them to focus on their academic pursuits. While there is no mandatory requirement for Ph.D. students to serve as Teaching Assistants (TAs) or Research Assistants (RAs), many choose to take up such positions, providing them with additional compensation and valuable teaching or research experience.

Application Requirement

Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application package, including academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose outlining their research interests and goals, a writing sample. The selection process is highly competitive, and successful candidates typically exhibit exceptional analytical and research skills, as well as a clear articulation of their academic and professional aspirations.

Application Deadline

December 15, 2024

Application Fee

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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 .