Institute of International Relations

1. What programmes are offered by the Institute of International Relations?

• Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Global Studies
• M.Sc. in Global Studies
• M.Sc. in International Relations
• MPhil/PhD in International Relations

2. What career can I pursue with a qualification in International Relations or Global Studies?

Among other areas, our alumni have found jobs in the following areas:

• Journalism and Media
• International Business and Trade
• Diplomacy
• Security and Intelligence
• International Organisations

3. What are the entry requirements for the Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Global Studies?

Admission to the prescribed course of study for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Global Studies is open to university graduates holding a good second-class honours degree or a GPA no lower than 2.5 or to persons holding equivalent qualifications from approved professional bodies.

4. What are the entry requirements for the MSc in International Relations and MSc in Global Studies?

• To be admitted to either one of the M.Sc. programmes an applicant must possess one of the following:
• A minimum of a Lower Second Class honours degree or GPA of 2.7 in International Relations or in a related discipline
• A minimum of a Lower Second Class honours degree or GPA of 2.7 in any discipline with a minor in International Relations (IR) with a grade B+ average or higher in the IR Courses
• A first degree in any discipline and the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations with a grade B average or higher
• Equivalent qualifications from approved professional bodies.

5. How do I apply for IIR programmes?

Application are to be made through the postgraduate admissions portal at https://sta.uwi.edu/apply/

6. When are applications accepted?

The online application period is usually opened from November of any given year to July of the following year for all programmes.

7. What is the cost of IIR programmes?

• The tuition fee for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Global Studies; MSc. in Global Studies; MSc. in International Relations and MPhil/PhD in International Relations programmes all cost $TT5, 900.00 per academic year, full time for Trinidad and Tobago nationals.
• Tuition for CARICOM nationals is US$2,000 per academic year, for full time students.
• Tuition for all other countries is US$6,000 per academic year, for full time students.

Please consult the financial information Booklet for further information

https://sta.uwi.edu/resources/documents/PostGraduateFeeBklt.pdf

8. Is there a payment plan?

A payment plan is offered to all students enrolled in The UWI’s programmes. Please see information from this link:

https://sta.uwi.edu/registration/documents/Payment%20Plan.pdf

9. Are IIR programmes GATE funded?

Postgraduate programmes are not GATE funded.  Please visit the GATE website for further information https://www.e-gate.gov.tt/gate-app/

10. Are there any scholarships available for IIR programmes?

UWI postgraduate scholarships are available. Please see the postgraduate website for more information: https://sta.uwi.edu/research/postgraduate-scholarships-bursaries

11. What is the duration of the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Global Studies?

The programme is one academic year (2 semesters), full time and two academic years (4 semesters), part time

12. What is the duration of the Master of Science programmes?

The M.Sc. in International Relations and the M.Sc. in Global Studies programmes are one and half academic years, three semesters (excluding summer), full time and three academic years, six semesters (excluding summer), part time.

13. What time are classes for the Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Global Studies, MSc in International Relations and MSc. in Global?

Classes are typically scheduled between 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm (AST) Monday to Fridays.

14. What is the duration of the Post Graduate Diploma and MSc. programmes classes?

Lectures are usually 4 hours long.

15. Are the postgraduate diploma and MSc classes online?

The taught programmes are offered in a blended modality that consists of a combination of online courses (a course which has been designed so that all instruction takes place using technology and there are no requirements for face-to-face class meetings) and blended courses (a course which has been designed to intentionally replace some of the face teaching and learning which takes place in a physical space with teaching and learning in the online environment).

16. How can I transition from the Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy to any one of the Master’s programmes?

In order to be considered for transitioning from the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Global Studies to one of the MSc programmes students must attain an A average grade in Semester I core courses (full-time students) or an A average grade after the first year, having completed all core courses for part-time students.

17. What are the entry requirements for the MPhil and PhD programmes?

You will need to fill in the online form. It should be accompanied by the transcripts/certificates of your tertiary education degrees, a solid research proposal, a letter of motivation and references from two academics.

Successful applicants are admitted to the MPhil degree and are expected to become PhD candidates through an Upgrade procedure established by the university. The upgrade seminar must occur by the end of year 3 for full-time students, or year 5 for part-time students. Please note that these are maximum timescales. Ideally, we would expect stronger students to move through the process far more quickly: around 2 years to upgrade, and 4 years to complete the PhD (if full-time).

18. Do the MPhil and PhD programmes have exams?

Yes, but not the sort of exams that you are used to. As an MPhil candidate, you are required to present two seminar papers and three as a PhD candidate. The PhD degree ends with an oral examination, the viva voce.

19. Can I transition from the MPhil to the PhD programme?

MPhil candidates can become PhD candidates through an upgrade seminar. The seminar must occur by the end of year three for full-time students, or year five for part-time students.

20. Are any of the UWI Global Campus programmes housed at the IIR?

Yes: MSc in Climate Studies; Post Graduate Diploma in Climate Studies; Post Graduate Certificate in Climate Studies

21. What are the entry requirements for the MSc in Climate Studies programmes?

Admission to the prescribed course of study for the MSc in Climate Studies is normally open to university graduates holding a good second-class honours degree or a GPA no lower than 2.5.

22. What is the cost for the M.Sc. in Climate Studies programmes?

• The Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Studies: TTD$17,485.00
• The Postgraduate Diploma in Climate Studies: TTD$32,280.00
• The Master of Science in Climate Studies: TTD $48,420

23. Can I defer or take a leave of absence from my programme and how can this be done?

You can apply for leave of absence (LOA) for a semester and/or an academic year. All applications must be made online via the student portal by the third week of any semester.  A request for LOA for the entire academic year must be made by the third week of Semester one.

LOA is not granted to persons in their first year. If persons apply to begin in September of an academic year and gain admission into the programme, they must defer to the following academic year.

24. Are there any internship opportunities?

We seek internship opportunities for our students. IIR students have undertaken internships with The Caribbean Telecommunications Union, The Association of Caribbean States, United Nations Development Programme and Embassy of Mexico, among others.

25. How can I apply as a Specially Admitted Student?

Persons can take an IIR course from one of the IIR’s programmes as a specially admitted student. Interested persons can complete a specific form and evaluations would be made to determine if the criteria was met for special admittance. 

Please visit the Postgraduate Admissions website for verification of eligibility for special admission

https://sta.uwi.edu/admissions/postgrad/special-admit#:~:text=Being%20a%20UWI%20graduate%20wishing,your%20knowledge%20in%20a%20subject

26. Is the Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean (DAOC) associated with the IIR?

An integral part of the Institute of International Relations (IIR) at The UWI, the DAOC is the Caribbean’s premier professional development-oriented diplomatic studies training centre.

27. What courses are offered by the DAOC?

The DAOC offers stand alone diplomacy courses every academic year. To view offerings, please visit https://sta.uwi.edu/daoc/