Program Overview

The doctoral program in International Relations encourages a broad definition of “the international,” a pluralist approach, a methodology attentive to different types of empirical research, as well as efforts in conceptualization and theorization to understand the transformations of a world that has become particularly complex.

Objectives

This program trains students in and through research, aiming at:

• academic careers (research and teaching tracks)
• expert careers within public or private international organizations
• expert careers within think tanks and in the private sector
• general competitive examinations for entry into the international or European civil service, or diplomatic careers.

Skills targeted

The program seeks to develop key research skills, including theoretical, analytical and critical skills, high-level expertise in various methodological tools, and strong mastery of the discipline’s fundamental issues.

General structure of the program

The program consists of two years at the Master’s level and three years at the doctoral level.

The first year of the Master’s level is dedicated to acquiring foundational knowledge in International Relations, as well as an initial introduction to research through methodological workshops and, from the second semester onward, more specialized courses and personalized tutoring.

The second year of the Master’s completes this knowledge through several specialized courses and seminars, alongside a general research seminar and ongoing tutoring. Together, these primarily support the preparation of the research thesis, which is the central component of the second year.

Click here for more information on the two Master’s years. Consult the academic curriculum.

At the end of these two years of study, students earn a Master’s degree in Political Science, International Relations track. Admission to the PhD is subject to approval by a committee (extended jury/juy élargi), which reviews academic results and the quality of the Master’s thesis to assess students’ capacity to pursue research. Pending on receiving a 16/20 on the extended jury, MA program students can apply to the PhD program if so they choose.

PhD applications are open not only to students who completed the research Master’s or research track in Political Science at Sciences Po but also to those with a Master’s degree from another French or foreign institution, provided they have written a research thesis and obtained at least 16/20. However, the admissions committee may require candidates to complete foundational or specialized courses that it considers necessary before beginning doctoral research.

For the choice of thesis advisor, candidates are encouraged to contact a member of the faculty and/or one of the research units in political science at the Institute. For international relations: the Centre for International Studies (CERI) or the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE). Having identified a thesis supervisor does not increase your chances and is not mandatory.

During the three PhD years, doctoral candidates are supervised by a thesis advisor and integrated into one of these research units for international relations: CERI or CEE. Doctoral candidates must also attend at least three doctoral seminars, including one that must be outside their track’s program.

During the first year of the PhD, the doctoral candidate follows three seminars:

Two mandatory seminars:

1. the seminar of the host research unit (Labsem): CERI
2. the doctoral training seminar in International Relations: designed to help the doctoral candidate build their thesis and stay informed about the current state of research in the sub-discipline. They must present and discuss their work in the presence of a guest expert in their field.

One seminar to choose from:

• the seminar of the Multilateral Action Research Group (GRAM)
• or, with approval from the thesis advisor, a specialized seminar (optional) from the CERI webpage (Research Groups)

Attendance is mandatory. The rules of Sciences Po related to students’ attendance apply. Participation in these seminars allows the doctoral candidate to fulfill part of the required coursework during their doctoral studies (at least 60 hours).

The PhD in Political Science is awarded upon completion of the coursework and the successful defense of the thesis.

Teaching Staff

• Thierry Balzacq, Professor of International Relations, Sciences Po, CERI
• Frédéric Charillon, University Professor, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand
• Béatrice Chateauvert-Gagnon, Assistant Professor, Sciences Po, CERI
• Ariel Colonomos, Director of Research, CNRS-CERI
• Mathias Delori, Director of Research, CNRS-CERI
• Jérôme Doyon, Assistant Professor, Sciences Po, CERI
• Pierre Grosser, Professor of Contemporary History, Doctor of History, Sciences Po
• Carola Klöck, Associate Professor, Sciences Po-CERI
• Christian Lequesne, Professor, Sciences Po 
• Hugo Meijer, CNRS/CERI researcher
• Benoît Pelopidas, University Professor, Sciences Po
• Frédéric Ramel, University Professor, Sciences Po
• Chiara Ruffa, University Professor, Sciences Po
• Emmanuelle Tourme-Jouannet,University Professor, Sciences Po, Law School.

The programme also welcomes visiting professors from leading foreign universities, who each year offer a lecture and/or seminar to students in the second year of the Master's programme: K. Olsen et P. Burgess (Oslo), W. Carlsnaes (Uppsala), A. Williams (St Andrews), E. Luck (Columbia), T. Inogushi (Tokyo), N. Lebow (Dartmouth College), Ron Krebs (Minnesota) etc.

Admissions to a PhD

See the Admission to a PhD page.

Funding

Mobility grants are offered to doctoral candidates for participation in conferences, fieldwork, and study stays abroad. Some mobility grants are also available for MA students for their research in preparation for their MA thesis.  For more information, see the “Funding” page.

See the PHD Tuition Fees & Funding page.

Contacts

Chiara Ruffa
Scientific Coordinator of the Master’s Program in IR and PhD selection,
Professor of Political Science
 

Fathim Cisse
Administrative Officer
Ph.: +33 (0)1 45 49 72 06

Marie-Hélène Kremer
Political Science Programme Coordinator
Administrative Officer 
Ph.: +33 (0)1 45 49 72 06