PhD Political Science (International Relations)
McMaster has nine full time faculty members who specialize in teaching and conducting research in international relations. Our PhD International Relations program’s strengths are in the fields of:
- Canadian Foreign Policy
- Critical International Relations Theory
- Critical Security Studies
- Global Governance
- Global Political Economy
- Politics of the Global South
McMaster’s PhD is one of the strongest critical international relations programs in the country. Critical IR approaches reveal the unequal power relations of world order and seek to challenge those conditions. We draw on a wide variety of theoretical traditions including constructivist, ecological, feminist, historical materialist, post-colonial and post-structural approaches.
Faculty members have overlapping interests in alternative diplomacies, citizenship studies and transnational social movements, climate change, international political economy, international relations theory, global governance, post-colonialism and politics of the global south. PhD students are encouraged to take advantage of the activities of the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition, as well as our annual student focused Mapping the Global Dimensions of Policy conference.
Research Opportunities
Several faculty members in the department have funded research programs that provide potential opportunities for collaboration or research assistant positions for PhD students enrolled in political science. Potential PhD students with research interests or preparation that align with one of the projects below should contact the relevant faculty member(s) as they prepare their applications for admission to the PhD program.
Faculty Specializing in International Relations:
Nathan Andrews: Political Economy of Resource Extraction, Social/Development Policy, Global Governance, International Relations Theory & Critical Pedagogy
Marshall Beier: Critical Approaches to Security, Militarization of Childhood, Indigeneity & International Relations, International Relations Theory
Thomas Marois: Neoliberalism & Development, Public Banking, Political Economy
Stephen McBride: North American Political Economy, Trade & Investment Governance, Austerity
Peter Nyers: Critical Security Studies, Citizenship, Borders, Refugees, Undocumented Migration
Robert O’Brien: Global Political Economy, Labour Internationalism, Global Civil Society, Climate Change, Global Governance
Tony Porter: Global Governance & Standard Setting, International Finance
Alina Sajed: Post-colonial International Relations, Political Violence & Revolution, Global South
Lana Wylie: Canadian & US Foreign Policy, Alternative Diplomacy, Cuba
In addition, several other faculty members have an interest in International Relations:
Michelle Dion: Comparative Politics, Gender & Politics, Globalization, Public Policy, Social & Health Policy
Catherine Frost: Communications, Globalization, Nationalism, Political Theory, Politics & History, Politics of Representation
Ahmed Shafiqul Huque: Public Policy & Public Administration in the Global South
James Ingram: Critical International Relations, Globalization, Political Theory, Post-colonial Theory
Inder Marwah: Critical International Relations, Globalization, Political Theory, Politics of Representation
Netina Tan: Sources of Authoritarian Resilience, Political Representation of Women & Ethnic Minorities in Asia & Globally
Program Information
Students are required to complete 18 units (6 half courses) of course work beyond the MA level.
They then prepare to write comprehensive examinations in their two fields – Comparative Politics and a second field drawn from one of Canadian Politics, Comparative Public Policy, International Relations or Political Theory. Exams are written in August of their first year and December of their second year.
Students also fulfill a language requirement to demonstrate their competency in a language other than English which is relevant to their research. This is normally done before the approval of the thesis proposal.
The remainder of the program involves preparing a thesis proposal, and then completing and defending the dissertation.
A thesis proposal will normally be submitted in April of the student’s second year. The thesis should normally be no more than 60,000 words long, and it is expected that the thesis will be finished about two years after the proposal is approved. Overall, then, full-time students are expected to take about four years to complete the program. Part-time students may take up to eight years to complete the degree but are encouraged to finish in less time.
Admission to the PhD program will normally require a Master’s degree in political science with an average of at least an A– (A minus).
Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members in the Department of Political Science regarding potential supervision.
Required Application Documents:
Graduate Studies Online Application
Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens October 1st each year. In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below. Most required documents must be submitted through the online application.
Statement of Interest
- An electronic statement of interest (approximately 500 words, single or double-spaced, maximum of 1 page).
- The statement must be uploaded as a PDF attachment only through the online application system.
- Your statement of interest is a crucial element of the application process. Canadian Politics applicants should describe the analytical problem or question about the Canadian political system that their dissertation will pursue. Comparative Politics applicants should emphasize the comparative elements of their project compared. Comparative Public Policy applicants should highlight the comparative nature of their research and policy area which concerns them. International Relations applicants should identify the international, transnational or global elements of their research projects. Political Theory applicants should identify the philosophical traditions, concepts, or figures that they wish to study at the doctoral level.
- All applicants would benefit from indicating particular faculty members that overlap with their projects.
CV/Personal Resume
- An electronic copy of your CV/Resume must be uploaded as a PDF attachment through the online application system.
Official Academic Transcripts
- Upload a scan of ALL official university transcripts completed to date to the application system. Remember to include a copy of the transcript key/legend or scale from the transcript.
- Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of a Student Exchange Program must also be included.
- If the official language of instruction at your institution is not English, please include both the original language document and a certified English translation.
- DO NOT submit an unofficial transcript or a student record prints.
- If you receive an offer of admission further instructions will be given on how to submit formal official transcripts.
Academic Reference
- Three (3) confidential e-reference reports from instructors most familiar with your academic work.
- All referees are required to complete the e-Reference.
- You will be required to include contact information and an email address for each referee.
- The electronic referencing system will send an e-Reference request on your behalf.
English Language Proficiency (if applicable)
- If English is not your native language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required. Such applicants are required to supply this evidence as part of your application. Applicants whose university studies were complete at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement (an official letter from the institution is required).
- The English Proficiency exam must have been completed within 2 years of the application due date.
- This requirement must be met prior to an offer of admission. There will be no exceptions to the language requirement.
- The most common evidence is a score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- TOEFL: minimum score is 92 (iBT-internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based). The McMaster University TOEFL/TSE Institution Code is 0936 and the Department Code for Political Science is 89.
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score is 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section.
NOTE: International students wishing to enter Canada on a study permit should also contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for further information.
Application Fee
The system will charge a non-refundable application fee. Please have a valid credit card ready to pay the application fee. The fee will not be refunded or waived.
ANY LATE OR MISSING DOCUMENTS WILL DELAY YOUR APPLICATION AND NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMISSION COMMITTEE.
Application Deadline
January 14, 2024 (for September 2024 admission)
We do not offer a Winter (January) or Spring (May) start date.
The Ellen Louks Fairclough Scholarship in Political Science
The Ellen Louks Fairclough Memorial Scholarship in Political Science was established in 2004 to commemorate the life of The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough, P.C., C.C., F.CA., L.L.D., F.R.C.G.S., D.H., U.E., Canada’s first female federal cabinet minister and lifelong advocate for women’s rights. To be awarded to a student enrolled in a graduate program in Political Science who holds an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Preference will be given to a student with an interest in Canadian public policy.
The Political Science Travel Grant
To support research and professional development by assisting graduate students with costs related to doing field-work or attending academic conferences. This grant is open to both MA (thesis option) and PhD students. There are two rounds of applications each year with the deadlines being October 15th and January 30th.
The William Coleman Fund
The William Coleman Fund was established in 2011 by Dr. William Coleman. To support Ph.D. students in the Department of Political Science who are conducting field research.
To see additional information regarding awards and funding, please visit our Awards & Funding page.
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Contact Us
Graduate Administrative Assistant
Manuela Dozzi
Kenneth Taylor Hall (KTH) 527
Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext. 24742
Email: dozzim@mcmaster.ca
Office Location
Department of Political Science
Kenneth Taylor Hall, 527
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
L8S 4M4
Campus Map & Driving Directions
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
closed daily 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
If possible, please send any inquiries via email. Voicemails will be reviewed occasionally.