StudyQA — PhD: International Affairs — International Business School at Budapest

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Description Contents Requirements

We offer the PhD in International Affairs programme in English, leading to the degree conferred by our British partner, The University of Buckingham. The PhD in International Affairs programme is aimed at policy-makers and experts of international affairs to address critical issues centred on diplomacy, foreign policy, and international relations.

Course outline

The PhD in International Affairs programme is aimed at policy-makers and experts of international affairs to address critical issues centred on diplomacy, foreign policy, and international relations.

The PhD in International Affairs is an advanced research degree during which students undertake supervised but independent research that leads to a thesis of not more than 100,000 words embodying the results of that research. The thesis must demonstrate extended familiarity with and a comprehensive understanding of the subject and the academic literature in the area; show an ability to construct and execute a plan for primary research, including the collection and critical analysis of data; and embody an original contribution to knowledge in the field of international affairs.

Postgraduate students on our PhD programme will first be enrolled on a Probationary PhD Status. All students enrolled onto the programme will be supported by supervisors who will help them develop a research and writing plan and guide them through the preparation of a formal final research proposal during their first two semesters of study. All research students must also subject their work to an annual progress review. Upon demonstrating satisfactory progress at the Annual Review exam at the end of their first year, which includes successfully defending a feasible research proposal, students are upgraded to Full PhD Status. If students should not be successful at their first Annual Review, they may either be asked to resubmit an amended proposal, have their registration changed to an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) degree or, in extreme cases, have their registration terminated.

Recommended PhD Topics for International affairs

IBS welcomes research proposals that match or are similar to IBS staff’s current research topics and/or fall within the potential supervisors’ areas of expertise. Please consult the guide to writing a research proposal below before submitting an application.

Below is a list of PhD topics that our academic staff have suggested as research opportunities for PhD in International affairs students to undertake. IBS encourages PhD candidates to develop a proposal around one of these topics.

International migration, patterns and effects
Challenges of cohabitation between majority societies and Muslim minorities in Europe
Impact of migrants’ remittances on the sending (home) countries' economy and society - at national, regional, family and / or household level
International aid: traditional versus emerging donors
The European Union's enlargement to the Western Balkans: challenges and perspectives
Disintegration in Europe: Brexit and its aftermath
Economic and social cohesion in the EU: a critical evaluation of the EU's regional policy

Academic requirements:

First or second class, upper division Master's degree. Please email your detailed research plan and one academic referee’s report soon after your online application to info@ibs-b.hu.
Sufficient English skills and academic knowledge that the IBS Research Officer checks with an Orientation Interview via Skype.