Applying to the Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy

Admission requirements

International Relations Ph.D. candidates must have an M.A. in International Relations or a related field, and candidates from other programs will be judged on a case-by-case basis. A strong background in history, international affairs, political science, economics, and particularly in social science methodologies is required. AGS normally accepts only one or two Ph.D. candidates per academic year. AGS does not provide assistantships for Ph.D. candidates.

Admissions are selective, and the Admissions Committee considers applicants from a wide variety of national and educational backgrounds. AGS also values language ability and experience with other cultures in its applicants, as well as professional work experience, especially in a field relevant to international relations.

A GRE score of 303 or above (combined verbal and quantitative scores) and an analytical writing score of 5.0 or above are required. The AGS philosophy emphasizes individual consideration for its applicants as well as its students, so exceptions may be made by the admissions committee depending on letters of recommendation, newfound maturity, and other changes in an applicant's outlook.

How to apply

Applicants for admission to the Ph.D. program should submit the following :

• The completed application form.

• A personal statement

• Official transcripts of all previous university-level studies
  Note: If transcripts do not include the degrees awarded, please send photocopies of degree diplomas.

• Two letters of recommendation from professors who have instructed the candidate in a degree program, one of which must attest in particular to the applicant’s capacity for conducting academic research

• A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test score

• Non-native speakers of English who did not graduate from an English language degree program in an English-speaking country must submit a TOEFL score (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

• A writing sample of previously submitted academic work, such as an article for publication in a scholarly journal or an assignment submitted during the applicants graduate studies

• A dissertation project description of 250-500 words. Please note that while Ph.D. applicants are expected to provide a description of the theme of their dissertation, once admitted they will have the opportunity to fine-tune their dissertation topic during the time of their coursework.

• An application fee of €50, non-refundable. This can be paid online.

Applicants may also be asked to arrange an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee.

Please note that all documents in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by certified translations. Notarized translations alone will not be accepted. Translations do not replace original documents. Please remember to send both.

All documentation submitted will be confidential. Application materials cannot be returned once submitted to AGS.

Note: Both the GRE and TOEFL exams are administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). You will find further information on the GRE and TOEFL at the ETS website or you can write to :

• For GRE information:

  Graduate Record Examination, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000, USA

• For TOEFL information:

  TOEFL, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA.

Application deadlines

Note: late applications will be considered depending on space available.

After your application

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Notification of admissions status will be mailed to the applicant within four weeks of receipt of a completed application. In some cases, AGSmay request additional material.

AGS candidates who are admitted will be asked to pay a €350 non-refundable deposit in order to confirm their enrollment in the program. This amount will be credited towards the first semester's tuition.

Deferment

Applicants who are admitted to the program may defer once for up to one year from the semester for which they originally applied.

If the deposit has already been paid when the student defers, a second  €350 deposit will be required to re-confirm the student's place for the semester of entry. Both deposits will be credited towards the first semester's tuition.

Note: the Ph.D. program is not accredited at this time.