PhD in International Relations: Peace and International Politics

General Objectives of the Course

The general objectives of the PhD in International Relations (IR) are the qualified professionalisation and research autonomy of students. Specifically, the programme is structured as to provide the training of advanced skills in reading contemporary international politics, with an emphasis on the study of the dynamics of peace and violence in the global world. In this sense, within the disciplinary training in IR, the programme focuses on theoretical understandings and empirical analyses of the causes and signs of tensions, threats and armed conflicts, as well as the instruments of peace promotion, thus seeking to combine the research agendas of IR with peace studies, conflict studies and security studies. The program reconciles technical training skills with theoretical framework skills of international politics, peace, conflict and security, with a view to understanding the global reality and the positive transformation of violent conflicts.

Admission Requirements

1 - Applications for admission must be:
a) holders of a master's degree or legal equivalent in IR or other Social and Sciences
b) lecturers which have been approved in educational aptitude and scientific capacity tests
c) holders of a bachelor's degree in IR or other Social Sciences (or its equivalent) with a particularly relevant academic or scientific
curriculum recognized by FEUC's SC as providing the skills
d) holders of other bachelor’s or master’s degrees as long as the FEUC’s SC considers that their study plan is in condition to be
effectively and usefully inserted in the programme
e) holders of a school scientific or professional curriculum recognized by the Coordination Committee and by FEUC's SC as
providing the skills for attending the study cycle
2- The recognition mentioned in points c) d) and e) only allows access to a study cycle conducting to a doctoral degree.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

The doctoral training in International Relations, combining the theoretical and practical components, enables PhD students to perform various functions. Amongst others, we highlight: activities in educational and/or research institutions, diplomatic career, international organisations, European institutions, non-governmental organisations, public administration institutions at local, regional and national levels, the media, international relations offices in business companies, financial institutions and consultancies.

Mode of Study

Full-time, Face-to-face, Daytime; part-time is possible only in Thesis

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

The regulations of the University of Coimbra regarding 3rd cycles of study apply, in particular the Academic Regulation of the UC and FEUC’s Regulation for the Evaluation and Conduct of Examinations.
Only students who have been approved in all doctoral seminars and who have successfully defended the thesis project, before a jury appointed for this purpose, may proceed to the preparation of the doctoral thesis. In terms of the Evaluation Regime for this doctoral programme, the enrollment in the curricular unit "Thesis" depends, therefore, on obtaining 45 ECTS in the semester curricular units, as well as on the approval of the thesis project within the scope of the curricular unit "Thesis Project" of 15 ECTS.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The Programme aims to respond to the needs of staff and human resources, providing up-to-date and in-depth knowledge essential for understanding, as well as critiquing, the current world scenario. To this end, the programme is markedly interdisciplinary and uses teaching and other activities to emphasise the internationalisation of teaching and learning.
Attending this doctoral programme implies, therefore, the development of a wide range of skills, crucial for academic and professional success, such as:
- Thematic knowledge: comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the programme's area of specialization;
- Advanced research skills: methodological research techniques, data analysis, critical thinking; research design and research problem solving;
- Academic writing and oral communication skills.

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Raquel Beleza Pereira da Silva
uc46444@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

The recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra, in its current wording.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The qualification is framed in Decree-Law No. 74/2006 of 24 March, in its current wording.

Graduation Requirements

The PhD Programme in International Relations requires approval, in the first academic year, in the six seminars and in the defense of the thesis project, for doctoral students to be able to enroll in the curricular unit “Thesis” and thus develop their research project and write their thesis. Obtaining a PhD degree requires that the submitted thesis be discussed in public examinations, before a jury constituted for this purpose, in accordance with the rules contained in the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra, and approved by the Scientific Council of the organic unit.
The approval of the six 7.5 ECTS seminars in the first academic year - Critique, Methodology and Ethics; Anarchy and Hierarchy in International Relations; Theories of Peace and Violence; Tensions, Conflicts and Wars; Peace and International Interventions; Debates in International Politics - amounting to 45 ECTS of this study cycle will award a Diploma in Advanced Specialization in International Relations: Peace and International Politics.

Access to Further Studies

Doctoral graduates will be able to access post-doctoral programmes, namely in the field of International Relations.

Study Programme

International Relations: Peace and International Politics

Academic year
2026-2027

Course Type
3rd Cycle Studies

Qualification Awarded: Doutor

Duration: 4 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 240.0

Annual Fee: 2000.0

Applications

Call for Applications

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2025-07-31 a 2031-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: 2025-11-07