The DPhil programme is a full-time programme of doctoral research in the academic study of International Relations with an expected length of three to four years of full-time study or six to eight years of part-time study. Note that the part-time option is not a distance-learning programme; part-time students are required to attend face-to-face teaching in Oxford on up to three separate days each week during term.
PhD Program Requirements
A master’s degree at distinction level in international relations, or in a closely related discipline that has prepared you to undertake advanced graduate research on your chosen thesis topic; and
A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in politics or international relations, or in a related discipline such as economics, history, philosophy, sociology or law.
Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a record of academic performance at first-class and/or distinction level.
Applicants without a master’s qualification will not normally be admitted for doctoral study.
Each application will be assessed upon its own merits, and candidates with a degree in an unrelated discipline should demonstrate the relevance of their academic background to their proposed subject or topic of study.
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.
Research or work experience that is relevant to your proposed study may provide further evidence of your academic potential.
Publications are not expected, but a peer-reviewed publication in international relations or an allied discipline may be taken as prima facie evidence of aptitude for research.
PhD Funding Coverage
The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25.
You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline.
Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.
Application Requirement
1. Online Application
2. Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
3. Research proposal: You should submit a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English, covering areas such as the background to the research, methodology, expected results and the contribution to the field of learning.
4. Written work: You may submit academic essays on any subject or theme within the discipline of international relations but preferably ones that relate to your proposed area of study.
5. GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
6. English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.
Application Deadline
5 January 2025
Application Fee
An application fee of £75 is payable per course application.
