Master of Philosophy / Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations
M.PHIL./PH.D. DEGREES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for admission to the M.Phil. and Ph.D. Degrees in International Relations for the current academic year. Applications for admission to the M.Phil. programme must be made online at the Graduate Studies website at http://sta.uwi.edu/admissions/postgrad/.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Relations Program at the Institute of International Relations (IIR) prepares you to become an expert scholar of international relations. The program offers an opportunity to obtain a comprehensive understanding of international relations and generate new knowledge in the field. We welcome research proposals that contribute to policymaking and nurture wider debates touching on the complex nature of international affairs, assuming an interdisciplinary research perspective across areas of political and social sciences.
To be considered for entry into the program, candidates must have completed a master's-level degree grounded in social or political sciences and international relations. We are interested in candidates with an impressive academic record and a strong research proposal.
The program has an expected length of three to four years to complete the MPhil level or six to eight years for the PhD degree. All applicants for admission into the Ph.D. program will normally be registered initially for the M.Phil. degree. Candidates registered for the M.Phil. may be permitted to transfer their registration to the Ph.D. by The School for Graduate Studies and Research if the Institute so recommends. Transfer of registration to the Ph.D. Degree will be initiated by the candidate’s Supervisor based on an assessment of the scope, depth and the originality of the research in progress. Such recommendations will not normally be made before the beginning of the second year of registration.
Despite its relatively small size, the expertise of the academic staff at the IIR covers a very wide range of topics, ensuring access to rich networks for research in these areas. These areas include:
- International Law
- International Money and Finance
- International Trade
- International Organizations
- Political Economy
- Peace and Security
- Civil Society
- Global Governance
- Cultural and Creative Industries
- Environment and Sustainable Development
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Caribbean Studies
- Latin American Regionalism
In the first instance, you should contact the coordinator of the MPhil / PhD program, Dr. Jacqueline Laguardia Martinez (Jacqueline.Laguardia-Martinez@sta.uwi.edu), to signal your interest and possibly arrange an appointment where your research proposal can be initially discussed. You should peruse the profiles of staff on the IIR website (https://sta.uwi.edu/iir/faculty-staff) and, if you wish, you are welcome to make initial contact with them to discuss whether they may be prepared to supervise you.
The next step is for you to apply to the program by following the general UWI application guidelines available from the Office of Graduate Studies and Research website (https://sta.uwi.edu/research/). Once the application reaches the IIR, we will assess your submission and the quality of the research proposal before deciding whether to accept you into the program.
