Best International Relations Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025 - WeUni

International Medical Doctor Program

Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

Italy

Medicine, International Relations

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

The International Medical Doctor Program at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University has been designed to foster a new kind of doctor. This doctor will possess the necessary human, cultural and professional values to provide healthcare and share ideas in today’s globalized world.

English

6 Years

PhD in Higher Geostrategic and Geopolitical Studies

Académie de Géopolitique

France

Political Science, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Advanced Studies in Geostrategic and Geopolitical Studies (PhD) program offers an extensive definition of the international arena, with methodological work research, as well as a clear concept of change in the complex modern world of today. The program seeks to develop the capacity of research and critical analysis with a very high level of expertise.

French

PhD in Maritime Affairs

World Maritime University

Sweden

Environmental Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Sustainability, Engineering

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The World Maritime University (WMU) was established by the UN’s International Maritime Organisation in 1983 and is IMO’s apex institution for postgraduate education and research in the maritime field.

English

3 Years

Ph.D. in Political Science

University at Albany SUNY Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

United States of America (USA)

Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. in Political Science program at UAlbany provides a broad foundation in classic and contemporary theoretical, empirical, and methodological debates in political science while allowing you to gain expertise in your area of interest. Choose from specialized majors in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public law, and public policy.

English

Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy

American Graduate School in Paris

France

Political Science, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS allows students to specialize in a specific domain of knowledge while gaining the recognition that is instrumental to pursue advanced careers in academics, think tanks, international organizations, or government research.

English, French

4 Years

Doctoral Program in Global Environmental Studies

Kyoto University - Graduate School Of Global Environmental Studies

Japan

Environmental Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Sustainability

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This program accepts students who have obtained a master’s degree or the equivalent in various fields. The program encompasses the Department of Global Ecology, the Department of Technology and Ecology, and the Department of Natural Resources of the Hall of Global Environmental Research, as well as the Grove of Universal Learning. Students’ specialized study themes are selected from the vast range of themes related to global environmental studies, based on prior study and approaches in the humanities and social sciences as well as natural science, agriculture and engineering. After receiving a doctoral degree, students may work at universities or environment-related government/private-sector research organizations.

PhD in Intercultural Studies

Georgia Central University

Online

United States of America (USA)

Anthropology, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Cultural Heritage, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The purpose of the Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies program is to equip students for the vocations of teaching and research in theological schools, colleges, and universities or for the academic study of missional and ministerial practice.

English, Kanuri

4 Years

PhD at the Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies

University of London, School of Advanced Study

Online

United Kingdom

International Relations, Social Sciences

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), based at the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies, offers specialist doctoral supervision across the humanities and social sciences, covering Latin America and the Caribbean.

English

3 Years

Ph.D. in Conflict Studies

Saint Paul University

Canada

Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The program, administered by the School of Conflict Studies, studies various dimensions of social, political, and philosophical conflict from a multilevel and multidisciplinary perspective.

English, French

6 Years

Ph.D. in Political Science

Boston College

United States of America (USA)

International Relations, Social Sciences, Political Science, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The department's course offerings are organized in four fields: Political Theory, American Politics, International Politics, and Comparative Politics.

English

5 Years

Doctor of Juridical Sciences (SJD) in International Legal Studies

Golden Gate University School of Law

United States of America (USA)

International Relations, Law

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

The Doctor of Juridical Sciences (SJD) in International Legal Studies is designed to give students the opportunity to acquire specialized knowledge in a particular area of international law, with an emphasis on the legal, cultural, sociological, and business activities of the Pacific Rim, the European Community, and other regions of the world as they interact with one another and with the United States.

English

1 Year 6 Months

PhD at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies

University of London, School of Advanced Study

Online

United Kingdom

Public Policy, History, Legal Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. Broadly speaking the focus of research degrees has increasingly been on the humanities and cognate social sciences, particularly on the subjects of human rights, globalization and development, politics, and Commonwealth history.

English

3 Years

PhD in Global Studies

United School for Liberal Studies

Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, Netherlands, Italy

Public Policy, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Doctor of Philosophy in Management (Ph.D.) in Global Studies degree awarded by the school's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned.

English

2 Years

Ed.D. in International and Multicultural Education

University of San Francisco - School of Education

United States of America (USA)

International Relations, Education

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The Ed.D. in International and Multicultural Education (IME) is dedicated to understanding formal and informal education within diverse sociocultural, linguistic, political and economic contexts.

English

5 Years

Doctor of Diplomacy (DDipl)

University of Stirling

United Kingdom

Political Science, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The DDipl degree is one of the highlights of our doctoral studies programme. It’s unique because it’s specially designed for working professionals and is taught at a range of venues, often with direct input from senior practitioners.

English

2 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in International Affairs

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This programme provides a theoretical basis and practical analysis of international business. A research thesis should address the global environment in which the business operates, as well as the process of business preparation and market entry, strategy and operations.

Italian, English

2 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Peace Studies

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

International Relations, Social Sciences

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

A dissertation on this current topic of academic studies should examine the fundamental issues in peace studies from various perspectives. What are the concepts of peace? Is peace a relative status?

English

2 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Law

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

International Relations, Law

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The learning skills at a distance from the Faculty of Arts & Humanities are usually highly professional. The degree programs of distance learning of Selinus University in this faculty allow access to the specialization in which the student can choose the topics of your interest in order to design a program fully adapted to his vocation. There are generally no problems for the professional practice of any of these specializations except in formal education.

English

2 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in International Relations

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This programme examines the complexities and processes involved in the relationships that govern international governance institutions. It deals with socio-economic and political, legal, historical and context-sensitive factors, which are key elements in any international environment.

English

2 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science

Selinus University of Sciences and Literature

Online

United Kingdom, Italy

Political Science, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

English

2 Years

22 Best International Relations Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025

International Medical Doctor Program

PhD in Higher Geostrategic and Geopolitical Studies

PhD in Maritime Affairs

Ph.D. in Political Science

Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy

Doctoral Program in Global Environmental Studies

PhD in Intercultural Studies

PhD at the Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Ph.D. in Conflict Studies

Ph.D. in Political Science

Doctor of Juridical Sciences (SJD) in International Legal Studies

PhD at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies

PhD in Global Studies

Ed.D. in International and Multicultural Education

Doctor of Diplomacy (DDipl)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in International Affairs

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Peace Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Law

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in International Relations

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science

Doctoral Degrees, International Relations