Postgraduate research courses in International Relations
The School of International Relations offers these research degrees:
- MPhil, normally of two years duration. The first year comprises the taught components of an MLitt, and the second a dissertation of about 40,000 words followed by an oral examination.
- PhD (Doctorate), normally of three years duration leading to a thesis of no more than 80,000 words and an oral examination.
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We encourage applicants to reach out to staff directly to identify a suitable supervisor. You can explore potential supervisors, their research interests, and biographies on the School’s People page.
Staff usually consider research projects which align with their research agenda. Prospective supervisors can only indicate their interest in supervising a student, which should be noted in the application. However, the final decision is made by the Postgraduate Research Committee (PGRC).
Applicants can only be admitted to the research degree programme after successfully identifying a supervisor. This process is essential, and it involves the postgraduate committee agreeing that the applicant’s research interests are viable and align reasonably well with a prospective supervisor’s interests. Furthermore, it must be confirmed that the supervisor is willing to take primary responsibility for supervising the candidate.
It is important to note that, at times, it may be necessary to reject applicants solely because no suitable supervisor is available to accept them in the year of application. Hence, the early consultation and identification of potential supervisors is strongly recommended.
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Students are required to be resident in St Andrews for the first year of their studies.
First year emphasises training including taking IR5601 Research Methods in International Relations module, social science modules, and GRADskills workshops.
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The offer of a University place to undertake study or research does not carry with it the guarantee of financial support. You will be required to support yourself or to apply to a grant-awarding body.
Scholarship opportunities are available through the University's scholarships and funding catalogue. New PhD applicants must first submit their application to St Andrews. Once this is received, you will get an email with instructions on how to access the catalogue. You do not need to wait for an offer before applying for funding.
To be considered for any funding, including the Research Council awards listed below, applicants must submit their PhD application to the University of St Andrews by 5pm (GMT) on Thursday 13 November 2025.
Research and Council Funding information
ESRC SGSSS – Scottish Graduate School of Social Science
- Prospective applicants must notify the School of their intention to apply by emailing irpg@st-andrews.ac.uk no later than Tuesday 11 November 2025, 5pm (GMT).
- A principal supervisor must be secured before applying for SGSSS funding.
- Applications are submitted directly through the SGSSS online application portal.
- The application deadline is Monday 24 November 2025, 5pm (GMT).
- Full details of the 2026 entry competition are available on the SGSSS Student-led Open Competition webpage.
AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA)
- Prospective applicants must notify the School of their intention to apply by emailing irpg@st-andrews.ac.uk no later than Tuesday 11 November 2025, 5pm (GMT).
- A principal supervisor must be secured before submitting a DLA application.
- Applicants must also submit a PhD application to the University of St Andrews. Scholarship applications are made by completing the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) studentship form in the Scholarships and Funding catalogue (accessible via the Scholarships and Funding section of My Application).
- The deadline for DLA applications is Monday 1 December 2025, 5pm (GMT).
- Further information is available from the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities.
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- The application portal opens on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
- To be considered for any funding, including Research Council funding (SGSSS and/or AHRC), applicants must submit their PhD application to the University of St Andrews by Thursday 13 November 2025, 5pm (GMT).
- The application portal closes on Friday 9 January 2026 at midnight (GMT).
- For further information, applicants can email the Postgraduate Administrator at irpg@st-andrews.ac.uk.
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We require an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with an expectation of 6.5 minimum in individual sections.
Further details of entry requirements and application procedures are found on the postgraduate research study page.