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A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science is the highest academic qualification in the field, focusing on original research that advances knowledge in political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, and governance. It equips candidates with deep analytical, theoretical, and methodological expertise, enabling them to contribute to academic scholarship, policy-making, and public discourse.
Ph.D. programs in Political Science generally take 3–5 years to complete and are research-intensive. Candidates begin with coursework in advanced political theory, research methods, and specialized areas before moving into comprehensive exams and dissertation research. The program culminates in the defense of an original thesis that makes a significant scholarly contribution.
Duration: 3–5 years
Structure: Coursework (first 1–2 years), comprehensive exams, research proposal defense, dissertation writing, and viva voce (oral defense).
Assessment: Research papers, conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and final thesis defense.
Advanced Political Theory
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Political Economy
Public Policy & Governance
Research Methodology & Quantitative Analysis
Area Studies (e.g., South Asian Politics, European Politics, Middle Eastern Politics)
Dissertation / Doctoral Thesis
United Kingdom
University of Oxford – DPhil in Politics
London School of Economics (LSE) – Ph.D. in Political Science
University of Cambridge – Ph.D. in Politics and International Studies
United States
Harvard University – Ph.D. in Government
Stanford University – Ph.D. in Political Science
Yale University – Ph.D. in Political Science
Australia
University of Melbourne – Ph.D. in Political Science
Australian National University – Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science
Europe
Sciences Po (France) – Ph.D. in Political Science
Central European University (Austria) – Ph.D. in Political Science
University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) – Ph.D. in Political Science
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