PhD  PROGRAMME

ISGG’s PhDs mainly concentrate on international relations and governance, approached (at the candidate’s discretion) from a variety of disciplinary angles – political science, economics, history, sociology, anthropology, geography, law, management, and philosophy, whose boundaries can conveniently be transcended. Exceptions as to a choice of research topic other than IR can be considered as long as it includes an international dimension : for instance, a cross-national comparison. 

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The title of doctor can be earned either classically through the production of a doctoral thesis, or in exceptional cases by dossier (a procedure reserved for candidates whose track record includes significant publications – books, articles, research reports – on a specific research problem).

    

In the former case, they feature individualized guidance by a faculty adviser, supplemented by written documents on (general and operational) methodology. The student/adviser interaction takes place on a permanent basis through e-mail and Skype or Zoom conferences, and occasionally through face-to-face interviews by appointment. Work concentrates on the research at hand : there is no additional coursework.

     

Dissertations use either English or French.

    

Study towards a PhD at ISGG is normally designed to last from three to five years (with a possible one-year interruption at no extra charge). However, the possibility of a two-year PhD is left open to students who have already done a fair amount of work on their research subject, either at another institution or in a professional capacity. Public defence of a 350-500 page-long thesis before an international committee of prominent scholars specializing in the researched topic completes the cycle. Publication of the thesis is the norm whenever the committee awards it a cum laude distinction.

   

PhDs start at any time of year : ISGG’s rolling admission policy allows applicants, should their application be granted, to choose the start date most convenient for them.