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Overview
International Relations and Political Science from Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies coursework and dissertation prospectus, combined with specialised doctoral seminars, participation in colloquia and doctoral retreats, where students get individualised feedback from all the professors, and close work with an adviser, gives students the range of skills needed to design and implement their own research.
Careers
The PhD programme is designed to prepare students for a career in international relations involving research, whether as a producer or consumer. Students admitted to the programme must have a solid master's level grounding in international relations and, if possible, in political science more generally.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Doctoral Seminar in Political Science
- Qualitative Methods in International Relations Research
- Statistics for International Relations
- Research Design
- Political Science Research Colloquium
- International Security
- International Political Economy
- Foreign Policy Analysis
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 48 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
-
Language
English, French
TOEFL® IBT 100
IELTS 7
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- 4.9/5 student rating
Credits
66 ECTS
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
- Genève, Switzerland
Disciplines
International RelationsWhat students do after studying
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Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
TOEFL® IBT 100
IELTS 7
Prepare for Your English Test
Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.
- Trusted by 300k learners
- 98 accuracy using real exam data
- 4.9/5 student rating
Other requirements
General requirements
- You should hold, or at least receive upon arrival, a master’s degree or its equivalent in a discipline relevant to your study programme, from an accredited university.
- A thesis proposal should be submitted that describes your research project.
- All students must have an excellent command of English.
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Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
-
International Applies to you
Applies to youNon-residents8000 CHF / year≈ 8000 CHF / year -
Domestic Applies to you
Applies to youCitizens or residents5000 CHF / year≈ 5000 CHF / year
Living costs
Genève
Switzerland
1925 - 2850 CHF / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
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Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for International Relations and Political Science.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1550 EUR
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
ELES-Scholarship (Ernst-Ludwig-Ehrlich-Studienwerk)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1920 CHF
Deadline
Not specified
PHD Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 CHF
Deadline
Not specified
Postdoctoral Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
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