Program Overview

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MPhil in International Relations

The MPhil in International Relations is a two-year course offering rigorous training in theory, recent history of world politics, and research methods, culminating in a thesis on a specialised topic.

About the Course

The objective of the course is to give students a thorough mastery of the major facts, methodologies, and perspectives in International Relations, as well as to develop research skills. The course will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to pursue further research and study at an advanced level and also to undertake many forms of professional work in the field.

Course Structure

An overview of the course structure is provided below. Details of the compulsory and optional elements of the course are provided in the Course Components section.

• In the first year, students will complete core classes, a core course in research design and methods, and compulsory methods training.
• This is supplemented in the second year by two optional subjects and a thesis.
• The approach to teaching comprises intensive and interactive work between students and their supervisor and course teachers, combined with a carefully planned programme of classes, seminars, and lectures, as well as directed self-study.
• Work on the thesis is individually supervised.

Attendance

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Resources to Support Study

As a graduate student, students will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services.

• The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK, including the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, with over 13 million printed items and access to e-journals.
• The University's IT Services is available to support students with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Politics and International Relations. Supervisors are usually selected from the academic staff within the Department of Politics and International Relations. Students can expect to meet with their supervisor around three times each term.

Assessment

Progression to the second year is conditional on passing examinations and/or coursework in research methods as well as the core course. At the end of the course, students will complete two option papers of their choice, assessed by examination or coursework, and submit a thesis.

Graduate Destinations

Oxford's MPhil Programme in International Relations has served as the launchpad for many successful academic careers in the field, with students undertaking doctoral work either in Oxford or elsewhere. Its graduates have also gone on to work at the top levels of government and international diplomacy, and in senior positions in international institutions, the non-profit sector, journalism, and the private sector.

Course Components

Compulsory Study

Students will take core classes in the development of the international system and contemporary debates in international relations theory. They will also complete a course on research design and methods in international relations, which includes the writing of a research design proposal in preparation for the MPhil thesis.

• Students will write a thesis in their second year.

Options

Students will complete two research methods options covering statistics and research design in Year 1.

• Students will complete two specialist option papers in Year 2, with options including:
  • The Making of Modern International Society
  • Collective Political Violence
  • Strategic Studies
  • The International Relations of East Asia
  • The International Relations of South Asia
  • US Foreign Policy

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown.

• As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
  • A first-class undergraduate degree with honours in one of the following subject areas or disciplines:
    • Political science
    • International relations
    • Economics
    • History
    • Philosophy
    • Sociology
    • Law
• Entrance is very competitive, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.8 out of 4.0 required for applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA.

GRE General Test Scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought, but where available, GRE scores can be noted on the application.

Other Qualifications, Evidence of Excellence, and Relevant Experience

• Research or working experience relevant to the proposed study may provide further evidence of academic potential.
• Publications are not expected, but a peer-reviewed publication in international relations or an allied discipline may be taken as prima facie evidence of aptitude for research.

English Language Proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If the first language is not English, evidence that meets this requirement must be provided.

• The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are:
  • IELTS Academic: 7.5 overall, with 7.0 per component
  • TOEFL iBT: 110 overall, with 22 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 25 in Speaking, and 24 in Writing
  • C1 Advanced: 191 overall, with 185 per component
  • C2 Proficiency: 191 overall, with 185 per component
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: 165 overall, with 155 per component

Funding

For entry in the academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

• If applicants apply by the January deadline and receive a course offer, their application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships.
• Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Costs

Annual Course Fees

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.

• For the academic year, the annual course fees are:
  • Home: Ł24,430
  • Overseas: Ł37,100
• Course fees cover teaching, as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support studies.

Additional Costs

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, students may incur additional expenses, such as:

• Travel and vaccination expenses
• Conference attendance
• Research expenses
• Field trips

Living Costs

In addition to course fees and any additional course-specific costs, students will need to ensure they have adequate funds to support their living costs for the duration of their course.

• The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 per month.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college.

• The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in International Relations:
  • Balliol College
  • Blackfriars
  • Brasenose College
  • Campion Hall
  • Christ Church
  • Exeter College
  • Green Templeton College
  • Harris Manchester College
  • Hertford College
  • Jesus College
  • Keble College
  • Kellogg College
  • Lady Margaret Hall
  • Linacre College
  • Lincoln College
  • Magdalen College
  • Mansfield College
  • New College
  • Nuffield College
  • Oriel College
  • Pembroke College
  • The Queen's College
  • Regent's Park College
  • Reuben College
  • St Anne's College
  • St Antony's College
  • St Catherine's College
  • St Cross College
  • St Edmund Hall
  • St Hilda's College
  • St Hugh's College
  • St John's College
  • St Peter's College
  • Somerville College
  • Trinity College
  • University College
  • Wadham College
  • Wolfson College
  • Worcester College
  • Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start an application.

• If it is important for applicants to have their application considered under a particular deadline, we recommend that they aim to complete and submit their application at least two weeks in advance.

Application Fee Waivers

An application fee of Ł75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for:

• Applicants from low-income countries
• Refugees and displaced persons
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds
• Applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria

Completing the Application

Applicants should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for supporting documents.

• Proposed field and title of research project
• Proposed supervisor
• Referees: three overall, academic preferred
• Official transcript(s)
• Statement of purpose: a maximum of 1,000 words
• Written work: two essays, a maximum of 2,000 words each

After Submitting the Application

The application, including supporting documents, will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page.

• Whether or not funding has been secured will be taken into consideration when the application is assessed.