phd science politique

Université de Montréal / Faculty of Arts and Science Department of Political Science

• Graduate programs

PhD in Political Science

The Department offers a top-quality PhD program. Our professors are experienced researchers and their work is published in the very best international journals.

The program is structured so that students can acquire a thorough theoretical and methodological grounding in the first 2 years, and then devote the next 2 years to writing their doctoral dissertations. We offer  complete financial assistance  to all students enrolled in the program. Students from abroad and from Englis-speaking Canadian provinces are most welcome. All seminars are in French, but papers may be submitted in English.

• Fall and winter admission
• Limited enrolment
• Daytime classes
• Full-time and part-time
• 90 credits, including 72 for research and dissertation

Questions about this program?

Pascale Dufour, professor: 514 343-6111, ext. 41939

All about this program (in French)

Financial support, find an advisor, international (in french), job outlook for graduates in this discipline, the + of studying political science at the université de montréal.

• Talks by political figures and graduates renowned in their professional milieu
• Series of lectures by renowned researchers
• Professors whose work has won many awards and prizes
• Several research groups and chairs, a sign of the Department's dynamic approach.
• According to the firm QS, the Université de Montréal ranks among the top 100 universities in the world in political science.

International Student Scholarship Program

The Université de Montréal is a French-language institution. This English website contains only the most frequently consulted pages from our French website.

Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Courses and schedules (in French)

Theses and dissertations (in French)

Ressources and forms (in French)

Student association (in French)

Interdisciplinary programs

Specialized Graduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.) and Short Graduate Program in Social Work (in French)

Specialized Graduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.) in Environment and Sustainable Development (in French)

Master of Arts, Specialized Graduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.) and Short Graduate Program in International Studies (in French)

Specialized Graduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.) in Journalism (in French)

Specialized Graduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.) and Short Graduate Program in Society, Public Policies and Health (in French)

Programs and courses

• Future students
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Doctorate in Philosophy Political Science

The School of Political Studies offers graduate programs leading to the Graduate Diploma in Public Management and Governance, and to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA) and PhD in Political Science. The MA program is offered both full- and part-time whereas the PhD program is offered full-time only. The programs are offered in French and English.

Two options are available for the MA: the MA with thesis and the MA with research paper.

It is possible to follow the Master’s or the PhD program exclusively in French.

Students who enroll in their program in French (MA or PhD) must take the majority of their courses in French:

• Master’s with Thesis: students must take at least three of their required courses in French.
• Master’s with Major Research Paper: students must take at least four of their required courses in French.
• PhD: students must take at least three courses in French.

Students who enroll in their program in English (MA or PhD) must take and pass at least one of their required courses in French.

All students are permitted to hand in their assignments in French or in English. At the time of admission, students must have an active knowledge of French and a passive understanding of English. French is the working language of the School’s meetings, including those of the graduate students’ association, and in the School’s internal communications.

The department participates in the collaborative programs in Women’s Studies (at the MA level) and in Canadian Studies (at the PhD level).

The programs are governed by the  academic regulations  in effect for graduate studies. 

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the  specific requirements  webpage.

To be admitted to the PhD program, candidates must hold a master’s degree in political science (or the equivalent) with a minimum average of 75% (B+) calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines. Exceptional students in the master’s program at the University of Ottawa may, under certain conditions (see “Transfer from master’s to PhD"), be allowed to transfer to the PhD without being required to write a master’s thesis.

An active knowledge of French and English is essential. All students admitted will have to take at least one of their courses in French and must be capable of reading texts in English and French. Students must indicate in their application the language in which they plan to take the majority of their courses. Those students who plan to study mainly in English will have to demonstrate in their application an active knowledge of English and French. All students whose first language is other than English or French must provide proof in their application of their level of competence in both languages. The School of Political Studies reserves the right to require a language test for either language.

The program offers the following fields:

• International relations
• Canadian and Quebec politics
• Political thought and the analysis of ideologies
• Comparative politics
• Women and politics
• Environmental politics
• Political economy
• Citizenship, diversity and migration

Additional Requirements

The requirements outlined above are a minimum. The School of Political Studies reserves the right to add any course considered essential in light of the student’s background.

Transfer from Master's to PhD

Students in the MA program at the University of Ottawa who have performed exceptionally well academically, who have demonstrated solid research skills and who are deemed sufficiently mature, may proceed to the doctoral program without completing their master’s degree. Please note that the minimal admission average requirements for the doctoral program must also be met. The conditions for transfer are as follows:

• successful completion of at least four POL graduate courses (12 units) with an A average as well as an A+ in at least one of the courses
• approval of the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Political Studies. The committee makes its decision on the basis of written reports on the student’s maturity and research skills, from the student’s thesis supervisor and from the professors in the courses taken in the master’s program.

The request for transfer must be made during the third term of full-time enrollment (or equivalent), and the transfer must take place before the end of the fourth term. The Graduate Studies committee will take into account the student’s grades, thesis plan (or draft plan) and the reports from professors who taught the courses taken at the master’s.

Following the transfer, the student must successfully complete all the requirements of the PhD program. Students who transfer but do not complete the PhD program can however obtain the MA degree provided they meet all of its requirements.

Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the  2018-2019 calendars  for the previous requirements.

Students must meet the following requirements:

All students must successfully complete at least one course given in French.

To continue in the program, students must pass both comprehensive examinations (the major and the minor). In accordance with the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies, any student who fails the major or minor comprehensive examination has the right to one retake. A student who is unsuccessful on the second attempt will be withdrawn.

Comprehensive examinations are aimed at proving basic knowledge in the fields of study. The major field comprehensive examination usually takes place towards the end of the third term of enrollment in the program. The minor field comprehensive examination usually takes place at the end of the fourth term of enrollment in the program.

POL 9310 , POL 9320 , POL 9350 and THD 9999 are graded on a satisfactory (S) or not satisfactory (NS) basis.

The thesis proposal must be approved by the thesis committee. A student whose proposal is not accepted on the first submission may be allowed to submit it a second time. A student whose proposal is rejected a second time will be withdrawn from the program.

Minimum Standards

Students are required to maintain a minimum average of B+ during their PhD program. Those who receive a grade lower than B+ in two courses or more will be required to withdraw.

Research Fields & Facilities

Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa is among Canada’s top 10 research universities.

uOttawa focuses research strengths and efforts in four Strategic Areas of Development in Research (SADRs):

• Canada and the World
• Molecular and Environmental Sciences

With cutting-edge research, our graduate students, researchers and educators strongly influence national and international priorities.

Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences represents a place of excellence in knowledge creation, research and training. Driven by both disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives, research at the Faculty is rich, innovative and varied, contributing to the depth of understanding and breadth of discussions on a variety of issues nationally and internationally.  This research, whether it be fundamental, theoretical, applied or action-oriented, is generated by our renowned expertise, ultimately culminating in applications designed to influence individual communities and the betterment of society.

We have identified five research themes which collectively represent a large proportion of the research undertaken at the Faculty of Social Sciences:

• International Studies
• Francophonie
• Public Policy
• Health, Well-Being
• Justice, Society

Facilities, Research Centres and Institutes at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Citizenship and Minorities (CIRCEM) , Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS) , Centre for Public Management and Policy , Centre for Research on Educational and Community Service (CRECS) , Centre on Governance (COG) , Human Rights Research and Education Centre (affiliation) , Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies and Institute for Science, Society and Policy .

For more information, refer to the list of faculty members and their research fields on Uniweb . 

IMPORTANT: Candidates and students looking for professors to supervise their thesis or research project can also consult the website of the faculty or department of their program of choice. Uniweb does not list all professors authorized to supervise research projects at the University of Ottawa.

POL 5106 Selected Topics in Political Science (3 units)

Course Component: Seminar

POL 5121 Survey Research and Methods (3 units)

Methods for conducting public opinion survey. Elaboration of survey questions. Survey experiment. Ethics of survey research. Theories of public opinion. State of public opinion in substantive policy areas. Course component: Seminar

POL 5122 Survey Data Analysis (3 units)

Course description: Introduction to the main steps for analyzing quantitative survey data. Data preparation and visualization. Descriptive and inferential statistics. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistics. Applied data analysis with a statistical software. Course component: Laboratory, Seminar

POL 5123 Canadian Politics (3 units)

Presentation and analysis of a contemporary issue in Canadian politics.

POL 5505 Analyse du changement politique (3 crédits)

Volet : Séminaire

POL 5506 Thèmes choisis en science politique (3 crédits)

POL 5521 Sondage et opinion publique (3 crédits)

Méthode de recherche pour développer un sondage d’opinion publique. Élaboration de questions de sondage et de questionnaires. Méthode de sondage expérimentale. L’éthique de la recherche par sondages. Théories de l’opinion publique. État de l’opinion publique quant à différents enjeux politiques et politiques publiques. Volet : Séminaire

POL 5522 Analyse de données de sondage (3 crédits)

Introduction aux différentes étapes de l’analyse quantitative de données de sondage. Préparation de données et visualisation. Statistiques descriptives et inférentielles. Statistiques univariées, bivariées et multivariées. Analyse de données appliquée avec l’utilisation d’un logiciel statistique. Volet: Laboratoire, Séminaire

POL 5523 Politique canadienne (3 crédits)

Présentation et analyse d'un enjeu contemporain dans la politique canadienne. (CAN)

POL 6100 Seminar in International Relations (3 units)

POL 6101 Research Methods in Political Science (3 units)

Examination of the methodological approaches used in political analysis, including the epistemological issues surrounding these approaches. A portion of the seminar deals with the challenges of designing a thesis proposal and writing the thesis itself.

POL 6118 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3 units)

Critical study of the principal theoretical approaches in comparative politics, the debates about them and the different methodological frameworks in comparative politics.

POL 6119 Seminar in Canadian, Quebec and Indigenous Politics (3 units)

Examination of the theories and concepts in the study of Canadian Politics. Institutions, public policies, citizenship, identities and diversity, indigeneity, participation, and representation.

POL 6120 Seminar in Political Thought (3 units)

Examination of certain themes related to the birth and development of modern political thought, with reference to the history of political ideas. For example, the course explores the origins and development of the modern state, including how the relationship between politics and religion, and between politics and the economy, has changed.

POL 6500 Séminaire en relations internationales (3 crédits)

L'objectif de ce cours est de présenter les principaux schémas d'analyse en politique internationale et comparée, et de les relier de façon critique. Il s'agira d'une analyse des apports méthodologiques et théoriques dans les deux champs d'étude.

POL 6501 La méthode en science politique (3 crédits)

Étude de différentes approches méthodologiques utilisées dans l'analyse du politique. Examen des questions épistémologiques associées à ces diverses approches. Une partie du séminaire portera sur les problèmes confrontés dans l'élaboration du projet de thèse et de la thèse.

POL 6518 Séminaire en politique comparée (3 crédits)

Séminaire noyau visant à étudier de manière critique les principales approches théoriques de la politique comparée, les débats qui sont engagés entre elles et les différents cadres méthodologiques de la politique comparée.

POL 6519 Séminaire en politique canadienne, québécoise et autochtone (3 crédits)

Examen des théories et concepts servant à l’étude de la politique canadienne. Les institutions, les politiques publiques, la citoyenneté, les identités et la diversité, l’autochtonie, la participation et la représentation.

POL 6520 Séminaire en pensée politique (3 crédits)

L'objectif de ce cours est de présenter certaines thématiques liées à la naissance et au développement de la pensée politique moderne. Référence à l'histoire des idées politiques. Il sera question, par exemple, de thématiques telles les origines et le développement de l'État moderne, l'évolution des rapports entre le religieux et le politique, et entre l'économique et le politique.

POL 6999 Projet de thèse / Thesis Proposal

Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research

POL 7102 Selected Topics in International Relations (3 units)

POL 7103 Selected Topics in Political Thought (3 units)

POL 7104 Selected Topics in Canadian, Quebec and Indigenous Politics (3 units)

Course Component: Lecture

POL 7105 Power, Politics, and Society (3 units)

Study of the diverse ways that political thought has conceptualized power, the forms it takes, the ways it functions and its impact on/in politics and society. The approach may be historical or thematic. The exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7106 Subjectivity and Intersubjectivity (3 units)

Study of the foundations of subjectivity and intersubjectivity. The approach may be historical or thematic. The exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7107 Foundations of Modern Political Thought (3 units)

Study of the authors, schools of thought and ideologies that constitute modernity. The exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7108 Ideology and Social Transformation (3 units)

Study of various ways of understanding nature and of the importance of ideas, values/principles, and ideology in the context of social and political change. The approach may be historical or thematic. The exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7109 Governance and Globalization (3 units)

Analysis of institutions and practices of regulation at the international level in the context of globalization. Study of major trends in national and international governance, including forces of resistance. Case studies.

POL 7110 International Political Economy (3 units)

Analysis of the political aspects of the international economy and how economic issues affect societies and international politics. Case studies. Examination of historical and contemporary theoretical approaches.

POL 7111 Space and Territoriality (3 units)

Analysis of issues relating to the production, control and use of space in world order. Study of diverse contemporary theories concerning space and territoriality.

POL 7112 Security and Conflict: Contemporary Issues (3 units)

Analysis of the causes, mechanisms and consequences of inter-state conflicts (wars, crises) and/or intra-state conflicts (civil war, secession). Examination of relevant theoretical literature.

POL 7113 Citizenship and Identity (3 units)

Analysis of contemporary citizenship and identity issues in Canada. The approach may be historical or thematic, and the exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7114 Constitution and Institutions (3 units)

Analysis of constitutional and institutional issues in contemporary Canadian politics. The exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7115 Political Parties and Movements (3 units)

Analysis of current issues affecting political forces in Canada: parties, groups and movements. The exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7116 Public Policy (3 units)

Analysis of current public-policy issues in Canada. The exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7117 Inter-Field Seminar (3 units)

In this seminar, taught by at least two professors, students examine a topic that draws on knowledge from at least two of the program's fields of study (political thought, Canadian politics, international politics). The exact topic is announced at the beginning of the session.

POL 7119 Creation and Transformation of States and Political Regimes (3 units)

Study of theories of state-building and transformation (including strategies of adaptation within a context of globalisation; issues of state collapse), as well as the study of democratic and authoritarian regimes and their transformations (transition, consolidation, collapse ), in a comparative perspective.

POL 7120 Comparative Political Economy (3 units)

Study of theoretical approaches concerning the evolution of power relations between states and markets in different regions of the world ; of the political economy of social movements; of political struggles regarding socio-economic inequalities. The emphasis will be on the political economy of both developing states and of highly industrialised countries.

POL 7121 Comparative Politics of Identity (3 units)

Study of theories concerning identity (primordialism, instrumentalism, constructivism) and of the role of ethnic, national, religious, linguistic and gender identities in political processes (violence, accommodation among different identity groups, management of diverse identities by the state).

POL 7122 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics (3 units)

Topics to be covered in rotation: Africa, Latin America, Asia, Middle East and former Soviet bloc (and possibly Western Europe/United States).

POL 7135 Advanced Quantitative Methods (3 units)

Advanced quantitative methods and their application in political science. Topics include multivariate regression analysis, maximum likelihood estimation and panel analysis. Review of advanced software packages for data organisation and development of tools for data collection.

POL 7136 Advanced Qualitative Methods (3 units)

Qualitative research methods and their application in political science. The methods covered include fieldwork, interviews, participant observations, archival research and discourse analysis.

POL 7137 Interpretative or Critical Methodologies (3 units)

Interpretative or critical methodologies and their application in political science: genealogy, deconstructivism, fieldwork approach, feminist analysis, new materialism, and decolonising methodologies.

POL 7366 Thesis Proposal Design (3 units)

Advanced reflection on the methodological aspects and issues of thesis research (methods of inquiry, practical considerations, data analysis , interpretation of results, etc.). Students acquire the knowledge needed to design and formulate the thesis proposal. This seminar is reserved for PhD students in Political Science. It is offered once every two weeks over two consecutive sessions.

POL 73661 Thesis Proposal Design (Part 1 of 2)

Advanced reflection on the methodological aspects and issues of thesis research (methods of inquiry, practical considerations, data analysis , interpretation of results, etc.). Students acquire the knowledge needed to design and formulate the thesis proposal. This seminar is reserved for PhD students in Political Science. It is offered once every two weeks over two consecutive sessions. (Part 1 of 2)

POL 73662 Thesis Proposal Design (Part 2 of 2) (3 units)

Advanced reflection on the methodological aspects and issues of thesis research (methods of inquiry, practical considerations, data analysis , interpretation of results, etc.). Students acquire the knowledge needed to design and formulate the thesis proposal. This seminar is reserved for PhD students in Political Science. It is offered once every two weeks over two consecutive sessions. (Part 2 of 2)

Prerequisite: POL 73661

POL 7502 Thèmes choisis en relations internationales (3 crédits)

POL 7503 Thèmes choisis en pensée politique (3 crédits)

POL 7504 Thèmes choisis en politique canadienne, québécoise et autochtone (3 crédits)

Volet : Cours magistral

POL 7505 Pouvoir, politique et société (3 crédits)

Étude de diverses conceptualisations du pouvoir, de ses formes, de ses modes de fonctionnement et de son impact sur la politique et la société. L'approche adoptée peut être historique ou thématique. L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7506 Subjectivité et intersubjectivité (3 crédits)

Étude des fondements de la subjectivité et de l'intersubjectivité. L'approche adoptée peut être historique ou thématique. L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7507 Fondements de la pensée politique moderne (3 crédits)

Étude d'auteurs, de courants de pensée ou d'idéologies qui son constitutifs de la modernité. L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7508 Transformations sociales et idéologies (3 crédits)

Étude de diverses conceptions de la nature et de l'importance des idées, des valeurs / principes et des idéologies dans le contexte du changement politique et social. L'approche adoptée peut être historique ou thématique. L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7509 Gouvernance et mondialisation (3 crédits)

Analyse des institutions et des pratiques de régulation politique à l'échelle internationale dans le contexte de la mondialisation. Étude des grands courants de changement de la gouvernance nationale et internationale, y compris les forces de résistance. Études de cas.

POL 7510 Écononmie politique internationale (3 crédits)

Analyse des aspects politiques de l'économie internationale et de l'influence des enjeux économiques sur la politique internationale et les sociétés. Étude de cas. Examen d'approches théoriques contemporaines et historiques.

POL 7511 Espace et territorialité (3 crédits)

Analyse des enjeux reliés à la production, au contrôle et à l'utilisation de l'espace dans l'ordre mondial. Étude de diverses approches théoriques contemporaines qui abordent les enjeux de l'espace et de la territorialité.

POL 7512 Sécurité et conflits : Enjeux contemporains (3 crédits)

Analyse des causes, mécanismes et conséquences des conflits inter-étatiques (guerres, crises) et/ou intra-étatiques (guerres civiles, sécession). Exploration de corpus théoriques pertinents.

POL 7513 Citoyenneté et identités (3 crédits)

Analyse d'enjeux contemporains en matière de citoyenneté ou d'identités au Canada. L'approche adoptée peut être historique ou thématique. L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7514 Constitution et institutions (3 crédits)

Analyse d'enjeux constitutionnels ou institutionnels dans la politique canadienne contemporaine. L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7515 Forces politiques (3 crédits)

Analyse d'enjeux contemporains touchant les forces politiques au Canada : partis, groupes et mouvements. L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7516 Politique publique (3 crédits)

Analyse d'enjeux contemporains en matière de politiques publiques au Canada. L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7517 Séminaire interprofils (3 crédits)

Dans ce séminaire, animé par au moins deux professeurs, sera examiné un objet d'études qui fait appel à des compétences relevant d'au moins deux des profils de l'École (pensée politique, politique canadienne, relations internationales). L'objet d'étude spécifique sera présenté en début de session.

POL 7519 Construction et transformation des états et des régimes politiques (3 crédits)

Étude des théories portant sur la construction historique des États et leurs transformations (adaptation dans un contexte de mondialisation; effondrement des États), de même que les régimes démocratiques et autoritaires et leurs transformations (transition, consolidation, effondrement), le tout dans une perspective comparée.

POL 7520 Économie politique comparée (3 crédits)

Étude des approches théoriques portant sur l'évolution des rapports de force entre les États et les marchés dans les différentes régions du monde; sur l'économie politique des mouvements sociaux; sur les luttes politiques autour des inégalités socio-économiques. L'accent sera mis aussi bien sur l'économie politique des États en développement, que sur celle des pays fortement industrialisés.

POL 7521 Politique comparée des identités (3 crédits)

Études des théories relatives aux identités (primordialisme, instrumentalisme, constructivisme) et du rôle des identités ethniques, nationales, religieuses, linguistiques et de genre dans les processus politiques (violence, accommodement identitaire, gestion de la diversité identitaire par l'État).

POL 7522 Thèmes choisis en politique comparée (3 crédits)

Thèmes à couvrir en rotation : Afrique, Amérique latine, Asie, Moyen-Orient et ancien bloc soviétique et possiblement Europe de l'Ouest/États-Unis.

POL 7531 Lectures dirigées : Études politiques canadiennes (3 crédits)

POL 7532 Lectures dirigées : Politique internationale (3 crédits)

POL 7535 Méthodologies quantitatives avancées (3 crédits)

Les méthodologies quantitatives d'analyse avancées et leur application en science politique. Les sujets incluent l'analyse de la régression multivariée, les modèles de la parcimonie ou de la probabilité maximales, et les analyses panels. Initiation aux logiciels avancés d'organisation de données et à la construction d'outils de collecte de données.

POL 7536 Méthodologies qualitatives avancées (3 crédits)

Les méthodologies qualitatives d'analyse avancées et leur application en science politique. Les méthodologies étudiées incluent les suivantes : recherche terrain, entretiens, observation de participation, recherche dans les archives, et analyses de discours.

POL 7537 Méthodologies interprétatives ou critiques (3 crédits)

Les méthodologies interprétatives ou critiques et leur application en science politique : la généalogie, la déconstruction, l'approche de terrain, l'analyse féministe, le nouveau matérialisme, les méthodologies de la décolonisation.

POL 7766 Préparation du projet de thèse (3 crédits)

Réflexion approfondie sur les questions liées à la dimension méthodologique du travail de thèse. Modes d'investigation, organisation matérielle de la recherche, interprétation des données, appréciation des résultats, etc. Développement des connaissances nécessaires pour concevoir et formuler le projet de thèse. Ce séminaire est réservé aux étudiants du doctorat en science politique. Il est offert une fois par deux semaines sur deux sessions consécutives.

POL 77661 Préparation du projet de thèse (Partie 1 de 2)

Réflexion approfondie sur les questions liées à la dimension méthodologique du travail de thèse. Modes d'investigation, organisation matérielle de la recherche, interprétation des données, appréciation des résultats, etc. Développement des connaissances nécessaires pour concevoir et formuler le projet de thèse. Ce séminaire est réservé aux étudiants du doctorat en science politique. Il est offert une fois par deux semaines sur deux sessions consécutives. (Partie 1 de 2)

POL 77662 Préparation du projet de thèse (Partie 2 de 2) (3 crédits)

Réflexion approfondie sur les questions liées à la dimension méthodologique du travail de thèse. Modes d'investigation, organisation matérielle de la recherche, interprétation des données, appréciation des résultats, etc. Développement des connaissances nécessaires pour concevoir et formuler le projet de thèse. Ce séminaire est réservé aux étudiants du doctorat en science politique. Il est offert une fois par deux semaines sur deux sessions consécutives. (Partie 2 de 2)

Préalable : POL77661

POL 7979 Mémoire / Research Paper (6 crédits / 6 units)

POL 8100 Directed Readings (3 units)

Permission of the Department is required.

POL 8110 Seminar in the Minor Field: International Relations (3 units)

Evolution of theories and concepts in political economy as an approach to studying international affairs. Examination of various schools of thought.

POL 8111 Seminar in the Minor Field: Comparative Politics (3 units)

Study of the evolution of theories, concepts and methods in comparative politics as an approach to studying domestic politics and transnational influences, including states, regimes and institutions; the politics of identity; and political economy.

POL 8112 Seminar in the Minor Field: Canadian, Quebec and Indigenous Politics (3 units)

POL 8113 Seminar in the Minor Field: Political Thought (3 units)

Examination of key ideological movements (key questions, main concepts, major texts). Analysis of theories on the formation and transformation of ideologies. Contemporary ideological dynamics.

POL 8500 Lectures dirigées (3 crédits)

POL 8510 Séminaire dans le champ mineur : Relation internationale (3 crédits)

Évolution des théories et des concepts de l'économie politique en tant qu'approche servant à l'étude de la réalité internationale. Examen de différentes écoles de pensée.

POL 8511 Séminaire dans le champ mineur : Politique comparée (3 crédits)

Étude de l'évolution des théories, concepts et méthodes de la politique comparée en tant qu'approche servant à l'étude de phénomènes politiques internes aux États ainsi qu'à l'étude des influences transnationales, notamment : États, régimes et institutions; identités en politique; économie politique.

POL 8512 Séminaire dans le champ mineur : Politique canadienne, québécoise et autochtone (3 crédits)

POL 8513 Séminaire dans le champ mineur : Pensée politique (3 crédits)

Les principaux mouvements idéologiques : problématiques, concepts et œuvres. Analyse des théories de la formation et de la transformation des idéologies. La dynamique contemporaine des idéologies.

POL 9200 Theories and Issues in International Relations (6 units)

Evolution of the theories and concepts of political economy as an approach to the study of international reality. Review of different schools of thought. The comprehensive examination in the major field is held at the end of the course.

POL 92001 Theories and Issues in International Relations (Part 1 of 2)

POL 92002 Theories and Issues in International Relations (Part 2 of 2) (6 units)

Course Component: Research

Prerequisite: POL 92001

POL 9218 Theories and Issues in Comparative Politics (6 units)

Study of the evolution of theories, concepts and methods in comparative politics as an approach to studying domestic politics and transnational influences, including states, regimes and institutions; the politics of identity; and political economy. The comprehensive examination in the major field is held at the end of the course.

POL 92181 Theories and Issues in Comparative Politics (Part 1 of 2)

Study of the evolution of theories, concepts and methods in comparative politics as an approach to studying domestic politics and transnational influences, including states, regimes and institutions; the politics of identity; and political economy. The comprehensive examination in the major field is held at the end of the course. (Part 1 of 2)

POL 92182 Theories and Issues in Comparative Politics (Part 2 of 2) (6 units)

Study of the evolution of theories, concepts and methods in comparative politics as an approach to studying domestic politics and transnational influences, including states, regimes and institutions; the politics of identity; and political economy. The comprehensive examination in the major field is held at the end of the course. (Part 2 of 2)

Prerequisite: POL 92181

POL 9219 Theories and Issues in Canadian, Quebec and Indigenous Politics (6 units)

Examination of the theories and concepts in the study of Canadian Politics. Institutions, public policies, citizenship, identities and diversity, indigeneity, participation, and representation. The comprehensive examination in the major field is held at the end of the course.

POL 92191 Theories and Issues in Canadian, Quebec and Indigenous Politics (Part 1 of 2)

POL 92192 Theories and Issues in Canadian, Quebec and Indigenous Politics (Part 2 of 2) (6 units)

Prerequisite: POL 92191

POL 9220 Theories and Issues in Political Thought (6 units)

POL 92201 Theories and Issues in Political Thought (Part 1 of 2)

Examination of key ideological movements (key questions, main concepts, major texts). Analysis of theories on the formation and transformation of ideologies. Contemporary ideological dynamics. (Part 1 of 2) THEORIES & PROB. POL THOUGHT

POL 92202 Theories and Issues in Political Thought (Part 2 of 2) (6 units)

Examination of key ideological movements (key questions, main concepts, major texts). Analysis of theories on the formation and transformation of ideologies. Contemporary ideological dynamics. (Part 2 of 2)

Prerequisite: POL 92201

POL 9310 Comprehensive Examination in the Major Field

POL 9320 Comprehensive Examination in the Minor Field

Prerequisites: POL 8110 or POL 8111 or POL 8112 or POL 8113

POL 9350 Thesis Proposal

POL 9600 Théories et enjeux en relations internationales (6 crédits)

Évolution des théories et des concepts de l'économie politique en tant qu'approche servant à l'étude de la réalité internationale. Examen de différentes écoles de pensée. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours.

POL 96001 Théories et enjeux en relations internationales (Partie 1 de 2)

Évolution des théories et des concepts de l'économie politique en tant qu'approche servant à l'étude de la réalité internationale. Examen de différentes écoles de pensée. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours. (Partie 1 de 2) Volet : Séminaire

POL 96002 Théories et enjeux en relations internationales (Partie 2 de 2) (6 crédits)

Évolution des théories et des concepts de l'économie politique en tant qu'approche servant à l'étude de la réalité internationale. Examen de différentes écoles de pensée. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours. (Partie 2 de 2)

Préalable : POL 96001

POL 9618 Théories et enjeux en politique comparée (6 crédits)

Étude de l'évolution des théories, concepts et méthodes de la politique comparée en tant qu'approche servant à l'étude de phénomènes politiques internes aux États ainsi qu à l'étude des influences transnationales, notamment : États, régimes et institutions; identités en politique; économie politique. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours.

POL 96181 Théories et enjeux en politique comparée (Partie 1 de 2)

Étude de l'évolution des théories, concepts et méthodes de la politique comparée en tant qu'approche servant à l'étude de phénomènes politiques internes aux États ainsi qu à l'étude des influences transnationales, notamment : États, régimes et institutions; identités en politique; économie politique. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours. (Partie 1 de 2)

POL 96182 Théories et enjeux en politique comparée (Partie 2 de 2) (6 crédits)

Étude de l'évolution des théories, concepts et méthodes de la politique comparée en tant qu'approche servant à l'étude de phénomènes politiques internes aux États ainsi qu à l'étude des influences transnationales, notamment : États, régimes et institutions; identités en politique; économie politique. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours. (Partie 2 de 2)

Préalable : POL 96181

POL 9619 Théories et enjeux en politique canadienne, québécoise et autochtone (6 crédits)

Examen des théories et concepts servant à l’étude de la politique canadienne. Les institutions, les politiques publiques, la citoyenneté, les identités et la diversité, l’autochtonie, la participation et la représentation. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours.

POL 96191 Théories et enjeux en politique canadienne, québécoise et autochtone (Partie 1 de 2)

Examen des théories et concepts servant à l’étude de la politique canadienne. Les institutions, les politiques publiques, la citoyenneté, les identités et la diversité, l’autochtonie, la participation et la représentation. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours. (Partie 1 de 2)

POL 96192 Théories et enjeux en politique canadienne, québécoise et autochtone (Partie 2 de 2) (6 crédits)

Examen des théories et concepts servant à l’étude de la politique canadienne. Les institutions, les politiques publiques, la citoyenneté, les identités et la diversité, l’autochtonie, la participation et la représentation. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours. (Partie 2 de 2)

Préalable : POL 96191

POL 9620 Théories et enjeux en pensée politique (6 crédits)

Les principaux mouvements idéologiques : problématiques, concepts et oeuvres. Analyse des théories de la formation et de la transformation des idéologies. La dynamique contemporaine des idéologies. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours.

POL 96201 Théories et enjeux en pensée politique (Partie 1 de 2)

Les principaux mouvements idéologiques : problématiques, concepts et oeuvres. Analyse des théories de la formation et de la transformation des idéologies. La dynamique contemporaine des idéologies. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours. (Partie 1 de 2)

POL 96202 Théories et enjeux en pensée politique (Partie 2 de 2) (6 crédits)

Les principaux mouvements idéologiques : problématiques, concepts et oeuvres. Analyse des théories de la formation et de la transformation des idéologies. La dynamique contemporaine des idéologies. L'examen de synthèse dans le domaine majeur se tiendra à la fin du cours. (Partie 2 de 2)

Prerequisite: POL 96201

POL 9710 Examen de synthèse du domaine majeur

Volet : Recherche

POL 9720 Examen de synthèse du domaine mineur

Préalable : POL 8510 ou POL 8511 ou POL 8512 ou POL 8513 .

POL 9750 Projet de thèse

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MRes/PhD Political Science

• Graduate research
• Department of Government
• Application code M1ZN
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Closed
• Overseas full-time: Closed
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the field of political science. You will begin on the MRes, and will need to meet certain requirements to progress to the PhD.

The Department of Government at LSE is one of the largest political science departments in the UK and covers almost all areas of politics. We offer a comprehensive range of academic approaches, from political theory, political economy, rational choice theory, public policy, nationalism, conflict studies, and comparative government to the history of institutions and policy. Many faculty members have particular regional expertise on Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and/or Latin America. 

The MRes/PhD Political Science provides world-leading methods training, participation in a lively and open research culture, and the opportunity to be part of one of the best departments in political science and political studies in the world. You will join a small and highly selective entering class, of about 6-10 students, from a wide range of universities around the world. Together you will embark on the MRes portion of the programme, which is a structured route to the PhD.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mres/phd political science.

First class or very good upper second class honours degree (normally 65+) and a taught master's degree (or equivalent) in political science or a closely related discipline (such as sociology, economics or history).

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

For the MRes/PhD Political Science, your research prospoal should be about 2000 words. Your sample of written work should be either a degree essay of between 3000 and 5000 words, or a 3000-5000 word extract from a longer piece of work such as a dissertation.

See requirements for the samples of written work  

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - personal statement - references - CV - research proposal - sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2024 . This is also the deadline to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme.  The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MRes/PhD Political Science

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding (pending bid outcome). Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.  

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding (pending bid outcome): 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.   Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page. 

Programme structure and courses

First year (mres).

In the first year, you will take a series of courses and prepare a Research Prospectus. You will be trained in research design and research methods and also take courses from a broad range of graduate specialisms in our Department and across LSE. 

You will study with acknowledged leaders in their fields and learn what political scientists know (and don’t know), what the key debates have been and where the discipline is going. 

Research Design in the Social Sciences Turns good research questions into systematic projects that deliver interesting and worthwhile results.

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of quantitative, qualitative or political theory research methods topics

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options within the Department of Government

Research Prospectus in Political Science A research paper, not to exceed 10,000 words, related to the student's designated major field.

Subject to satisfactory performance, you will be upgraded to the PhD programme and will implement your research plan, for example through fieldwork, data collection and analysis, theoretical work, or a combination of several approaches. You will participate and present your work in doctoral workshops with faculty and fellow researchers (at least one each year), and you will start to attend and present papers at international conferences.

You will also be invited to apply to help teach undergraduate courses in the Department. In your second year, you have the option of taking Political Economy (permission to attend is at the discretion of the course convenor.)

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision .

You will be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

At the end of the first year you will complete the assessments for your courses and finalise your Research Prospectus, the provisional research plan for your PhD. You will defend the Prospectus at a committee of relevant faculty in September at the end the first year. If you meet the assessment requirements and successfully defend the Prospectus you will be upgraded to the PhD part of the programme.

Your final award of the PhD will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

More about progression requirements.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Government

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £34,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Health and Social Care  
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Information, Digital Technology and Data            
• Consultancy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Recent graduates have also gone on to careers in investment banking, auditing, consultancy and public sector and government.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mphil/phd international relations.

Code(s) M1ZR

MRes/PhD International Development

Code(s) Y2ZI

MPhil/PhD Sociology

Code(s) L3ZS

MPhil/PhD European Studies

Code(s) M1ZE

MPhil/PhD International History

Code(s) V1ZH

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Ph.d. in political science.

We are ranked as a top-ten research department and our graduate program has an excellent job placement record. Over the past decade, the vast majority of our PhD graduates have gone on to attain tenure-track positions, and many other students have become leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. 

In addition to a demanding sequence of courses during the first two years, our graduates begin working with faculty from the very first day, to gain an appreciation of the challenges involved in producing innovative research.

This paves the way to their own intellectual development, the first major milestone of which is a solo-authored research paper to be presented to the department during their second year in the program. From that point on, until the completion of the dissertation in year five, the focus is primarily on independent and collaborative research.

Our graduate program is organized around subfields that address major theoretical questions about political life, encourage collaboration across intellectual boundaries, and place us at the frontiers of the discipline. As a graduate student here, you will become certified in two major fields and gain exposure to other fields through our graduate workshop series.

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Political Science

The Political Science programme at Sciences Po trains academics and researchers for careers in France and abroad, as well as high-level professionals for all levels of politics.

Sciences Po Multiple locations Paris , France Top 5% worldwide Studyportals University Meta Ranking 4.3 Read 22 reviews

This Political Science programme at Sciences Po trains researchers for careers in public politics, opinion survey analysts, territorial administrations, journalism, political consulting, diplomacy, foreign diplomatic academies, specialists in specific cultural areas, etc.

Professionalization in research is ensured by the doctoral students getting a chance to work in one of the Sciences Po laboratories where they can meet with the teams, take part in research projects and take specialised seminars. They are also invited to take part in contracts and projects financed by the European commission. To do so, they can rely on the advice of the Mission Europe de la recherche de Sciences Po.

Programme Structure

The political science doctoral programme is designed to provide:

• A complete international level training course in all of the areas relevant to political science
• A research  methodology in the social sciences including classes in qualitative and quantitative analysis
• A personalised supervision process within the Doctoral school and in the research centres, by an internationally recognised and involved academic staff

Key information

• 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

• Apply before 2025-05-17 00:00:00
• 10 January, for an admission result mid-March
• 17 May, for an admission result mid-July 

Disciplines

Academic requirements.

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

• Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
• Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
• Home contents and baggage

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Sciences Po and/or in France, please visit Student Insurance Portal .

Other requirements

General requirements.

• Two academic recommendations (an optional professional recommendation may be added)
• Proof of identity
• Thesis project (PDF or Word format, 5,000 words maximum, i.e. about ten pages, excluding bibliographic references)
• Thesis project synopsis (two pages, PDF or Word format)
• Copy of last completed academic degree (Master or equivalent)
• Master transcripts (the documents must be attached in the original language, along with an official or informal translation in English or French if necessary. Please add a sworn statement of compliance if the translation is yours)
• If obtained, official proof of doctoral funding obtention

Tuition Fee

International, living costs for paris.

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Tuition Fees

For all students admitted to the PhD programme at the “Thesis” level, the annual fee for the 2016/2017 academic year is 391 euros, irrespective of tax residency.

In order to make Sciences Po accessible to all to promote academic success, Sciences Po offers many types of financial aid.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Political Science.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Read more about eligibility

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Office of International Programs

Institut d'etudes politiques (sciences po), paris, information for.

Exchange Students

At a Glance

Description.

Sciences Po is a prestigious institution in Paris that focuses on the Social Sciences, specifically the areas of international relations, public policy, politics, and economics. Students with an advanced level of French will take their courses alongside other domestic and international students in a very academically rigorous environment and will experience Paris through independent-living across the city.

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 .

Best Universities for Political Science in Europe

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Europe ranked based on their research performance in Political Science. A graph of 95.3M citations received by 5.68M academic papers made by 1,436 universities in Europe was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Oxford

For Political Science

2. University College London

3. University of Cambridge

4. London School of Economics and Political Science

5. University of Manchester

6. Catholic University of Leuven

7. King's College London

8. University of Amsterdam

9. University of Bristol

10. University of Liege

11. University of Edinburgh

12. University of Sheffield

13. University of Birmingham

14. University of Nottingham

15. University of Warwick

16. University of Leeds

17. Utrecht University

18. Imperial College London

19. University of Copenhagen

20. University of Glasgow

21. University of Zurich

22. Erasmus University Rotterdam

23. University of London

24. University of Southampton

25. University of Sussex

26. University of York

27. University of Hamburg

28. Lund University

29. University of Groningen

30. University of Oslo

31. Aarhus University

32. Heidelberg University - Germany

33. University of Liverpool

34. Cardiff University

35. Paris Institute of Political Studies

36. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

37. Radboud University

38. Stockholm University

39. University of Helsinki

40. Leiden University

41. University of Munich

42. Lancaster University

43. Newcastle University

44. Autonomous University of Barcelona

45. Pierre and Marie Curie University

46. University of Exeter

47. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main

48. Uppsala University

49. University of Vienna

50. Free University of Berlin

51. Tilburg University

52. Durham University

53. Maastricht University

54. Complutense University of Madrid

55. Free University Amsterdam

56. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

57. University of Bern

58. University of East Anglia

59. University of Barcelona

60. University of Leicester

61. Ghent University

62. Delft University of Technology

63. University of Bologna

64. University of Gothenburg

65. Queen Mary University of London

66. University of Munster

67. Loughborough University

68. Sapienza University of Rome

69. University of Aberdeen

70. Technical University of Munich

71. University of Reading

72. University of Cologne

73. University of Valencia

74. University of Granada

75. Karolinska Institute

76. RWTH Aachen University

77. University College Dublin

78. University of Luxembourg

79. University of Erlangen Nuremberg

80. Humboldt University of Berlin

81. Queen's University Belfast

82. University of Geneva

83. Free University of Brussels - VUB

84. University of Strathclyde

85. University of Kent

86. Catholic University of Louvain

87. University of Lisbon

88. University of Bonn

89. University of Aix-Marseilles

90. University of Freiburg

91. Wageningen University

92. University of Essex

93. Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

94. University of Gottingen

95. University of Surrey

96. University of Bath

97. University of Bielefeld

98. University of Twente

99. University of Milan

100. Dresden University of Technology

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Europe

Ph.D. Programs

Every year, the doctoral programs organize separate recruitment competitions in spring. The winners of these competitions receive a three-year scholarship.

Doctoral courses begin each year in September. During the first year, doctoral students have the status of Ph.D. candidate. At the end of this first year, they take an exam whose content and form vary according to the discipline. Success in this exam ensures passage to the second year and allows them to register for a doctorate, which they must complete within 3 years. Throughout their training, doctoral students follow a total of 200 hours of teaching.

This teaching is composed of both modules specialized in the discipline of the doctorate and modules intended to develop transversal skills of the student: methods of scientific writing, methods of documentary research, languages, oral communication. The total of these academic activities is required to be able to defend your thesis and obtain the Ph.D. degree.

Ph.D. students are automatically associated with AIRESS and benefit from the research activities organized within it, such as AIRESS research seminars and all other research promotion and dissemination activities.

Ph.D. program in Political Science and Global Studies

The Doctorate in Political Science and Global Studies is a three- year research-based multidisciplinary doctoral program offered by the Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences (FGSES) of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). The program aims at producing qualified and high-level professionals who could play leading roles in the pursuit...

More details

Ph.D. program in Economics

The Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences (FGSES) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) offers a four-year doctoral program in economics. Our program provides students with rigorous training in economic theory and quantitative methods, with the level of rigor being consistent with internationally competitive...

Ph.D program in Behavioral and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University offers a program that aims at producing high qualified professionals in social sciences (sociology, political science or anthropology) or in behavioral sciences (psychology) to reflect on issues related to public policies in Morocco and Africa. This program...

Department of Political Science

Graduate Program

Yale’s Ph.D. program has a strong historical record of producing leading scholars in the field of Political Science. (Please note: The department does not offer a stand-alone MA in Political Science. Information about the Jackson Institute MPP in Global Affairs .) Many Yale graduates have also had successful careers in government, politics, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. This historical strength is matched by a strong faculty deeply engaged in training current graduate students to succeed in contemporary Political Science.

One of the Department’s strengths is substantive and methodological pluralism—there is no single “Yale way,” and our students and faculty are motivated by a range of questions in and across the subfields of Political Science. At the same time as we acknowledge this diversity of interests, the Department’s curriculum is designed to ensure students have adequate opportunities to master the core tools of contemporary social science research, including a four-course sequence in quantitative methodology and research design (statistics), a two course sequence in formal theory, courses on experimental design, implementation, and analysis, and a training program in qualitative and archival methodology.

The Department also offers training in five substantive subfields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Economy, and Political Theory. In each of these subfields, faculty regularly teach courses that expose students to both the foundational work in these areas and current active research topics. In many subfields, this training takes the form of formal or informal “sequences,” for example Comparative Politics I and II are taught each year. These classes are supplemented by topical seminars on selected and advanced topics.

In addition to regular courses, the Department and affiliated institutions (in particular, the MacMillan Center and the Institution for Social and Policy Studies) host a variety of (near-)weekly workshops in which outside speakers and Yale affiliates present and discuss work. These workshops provide a unique opportunity for students to observe the work of leading scholars, as well as to develop their own research in conjunction with faculty and student review. Information about these workshops is available here.

Students will also take two courses as a cohort. The first, Introduction to Politics, is for all Ph.D. students in their first semester. The second, Research and Writing, spans the second year and is centered on students producing a publishable quality research paper prior to embarking on the dissertation. Students in Research and Writing present their final paper in the Department’s mini-APSA conference in April.

About eighteen students enter the Ph.D. program each year. The total number of students in residence at any one time, including students working on their dissertations, is approximately 100, of whom about 40 are taking courses.

The Director of Graduate Studies for the Political Science Department is Hélène Landemore . Professor Landemore’s DGS office is located in Room 234  in Rosenkranz Hall, 115 Prospect Street. To contact Professor Landemore or sign up for DGS office hours, email her at dgs.polisci@yale.edu .

The Graduate program registrar is Colleen Amaro.  Her office is located in Room 230 in Rosenkranz Hall, 115 Prospect Street. She can be contacted by email at colleen.amaro@yale.edu .

Doctoral Program

Program Overview

The principal goal of the Stanford Ph.D. program in political science is the training of scholars. Most students who receive doctorates in the program do research and teach at colleges or universities. We offer courses and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields in the discipline, including American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology. The program is built around small seminars that analyze critically the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam requirement within a two-year period and for work on the doctoral dissertation.

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PhD in Political and Social Sciences - PhD

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4 academic years

From September to June

The training period is from September to July and the training activities take place, in preference, after 3pm

Department of Political and Social Sciences   

Presentation

Excellence Group: Political Science

Doctoral programme of the UPF Doctoral School, governed by Royal Decree 99/2011

The UPF Department of Political and Social Sciences is an academic community consisting of lecturers, assistants, scholarship holders, associates and doctoral students carrying out research and teaching in the disciplines of political science and Administration, sociology and social psychology. It is noted for its strong international dimension, the dynamism of its research, the interdisciplinary nature of its teaching, the quality of its third cycle and its support for mobility among its students. Its staff is heterogeneous, comprising a balanced mix of permanent lecturers, researchers with ICREA and Ramón y Cajal contracts, visiting professors from foreign universities and government professionals who contribute their experience as adjunct lecturers. The doctoral programme in Political Social and Sciences complies fully with the European Higher Education Area and adopts the Salzburg Principles.  

Management : Dr. Javier Arregui Moreno Coordination : Dr. Luis Ortiz Gervasi

Lines of research

• Comparative Politics
• Government & Administration
• Health Inequalities
• Immigration & Cultural Diversity
• Political Behaviour
• Political Theory
• Social & Political Psychology
• Sociology and Demography
• Survey Methodology & Public Opinion
• Public Policy

Admission requirements

In order to be admitted to Political and Social Sciences PhD Programme offered by UPF, candidates must provide accreditation that they have obtained an  accredited   undergraduate degree  (Bachelor degree or recognised equivalent degree from an accredited Higher Education Institution).   Moreover, they have to proof that they have obtained or are in position to obtain an  accredited  graduate/master's degree   in the field of Social Sciences    (equivalent to a Spanish Master Universitario/Oficial, Master's of Research.... ) which enables them to access a Phd programme in their home country. 

To access a PhD programme at UPF you must have an official university degree and a master's degree, and have passed at least 300 ECTS credits. 

You can also access the doctorate with: 

• an official Spanish university degree or equivalent, as long as at least 300 ECTS credits have been passed and a level 3 of the MECES is accredited; 
• a degree from the European Higher Education Area (non-Spanish) that accredits a level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework, as long as this degree entitles to access a PhD in the issuing country; 
• a foreign title (non-EHEA) of a training level equivalent to a Spanish university master's degree and that entitles to access a PhD programme in the issuing country; 
• a doctoral degree.

Mandatory documents to be submitted

• A photocopy of the  undergraduate degree/diploma or Certification/proof of degree completion   (Bachelor degree or recognised equivalent degree from an accredited Higher Education Institution).
• A photocopy of the  official final undergraduate transcript . 
• A photocopy of the  graduate/master's degree/diploma or Certification/proof of degree completion  in the field of Social Sciences .
• A photocopy of your  official final graduate/master's transcript  .
• A signed declaration  of obtaining your graduate/master's degree before the commencement of the master's programme. 
• A photocopy of the  provisional graduate/master's transcript .

If the diploma or the academic transcript are not written in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese or Italian, you will also have to include the respective sworn translations into Catalan or Spanish. 

Students holding a Spanish DEA (Diploma de Estudios Avanzados) according to  RD 778/1998 / Suficiencia Investigadora according to RD185/1985 or an undergraduate degree of 300 ECTS credits (such as Medicine...) will not need to have completed a master's degree. 

• Proof of  English language (level B2.2)
• To submit a  research project in any of the   research lines of the Department , using this template   
• Two academic recommendation letters.
• Motivation Letter , using this template 
• Curriculum Vitae .
• Identity Card  or  Passport .

UPF master's degrees that can be taken prior to this doctorate

• Master in Research in Political Sciences 
• Master in Sociology and Demography
• Master in Current Democracies: Nationalism, Federalism and Multiculturality
• Master in Political Philosophy 
• Master in Migration Studies
• Master in Public and Social Policies

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Each year, approximately 8-10 candidates are accepted into the PhD program. Our graduates go on to research and teach political science throughout Canada and the world.

Superior applicants, normally understood as students who are at least in the top 10 percent of their graduating class or who have a CGPA of at least 3.5 or its equivalent, will be eligible for admission into the PhD track.

For further details on Political Science PhD programs see our 2022-2023 PhD Guide or visit the Graduate Student Documents page.

For general information on graduate admissions and application procedures at McGill, see the Graduate Admissions website.

Please note that as of June 2021 GREs will no longer be required or considered for the PhD application. 

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Home > Academics > Master's Programmes > Master in Political Science

Master in Political Science

Two-year Master's

Programme in French and English

120 ECTS minimum

Objectives of the programme: train researchers and experts

In this Masters programme an internationally recognized team of academics provides training through research.  The programme is specifically geared towards students interested in academic careers (research and teaching), but also caters to those considering careers as experts in public or private international organizations, general entrance exams for international or European public service, and diplomatic careers.  

Structure of the programme

An internationally recognized team of academics provides research through training in this Masters programme.  The two-year Masters programme provides comprehensive high-level training in the basics, theory and methodology. 

This combines a general discipline-wide training in theory and method with a more specialist sub-disciplinary focus. T he majority of students will choose one of the programme’s five specialist majors , corresponding to the five principal sub-disciplines of political science. A general track in English is also available, offering students the opportunity to combine general courses in theory and method with specialist courses drawn from each sub-discipline:

• Political Behaviour
• General Track in English

Master en science politique

• Politiques publiques  
• Politique comparée
• Relations internationales
• Théorie politique

Within each specialty they study the “fundamentals”, which are mandatory for all and provide the key methodological and epistemological elements to develop a solid command of the subject matter.  Students also attend specialized courses in the priority areas for each sub-discipline.  In the last semester of their second year, students must write a research paper demonstrating their ability to organize their knowledge, to investigate an issue, and to address it in a coherent and informed argument.

Thierry Balzacq Head of studies in Policital Science, Full Professor at Sciences Po and Professorial Fellow at CERI

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