PhD in International Politics

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

At the University Pécs you may study International Politics designed for professionals who intend to foster research about the actors, processes, intersections, and complexities of the global arena in an interdisciplinary manner.

Head of program: Prof. Dr. István Tarrósy


Degree
PhD in Political Science
Duration of Training
4 years (8 semesters)

Language
English
Intake
Fall

Deadline of Application

Next Starting Date
Fees
Tuition fee: EUR 3,500 /sem.
Application fee: EUR 140
  • Description of the program
  • Application procedure
  • Application requirements
  • Examples of subjects during the studies
  • More information

The aim of the doctoral program is to offer a wide variety of topics for the study of the actors, processes, intersections, and complexities of International Politics to those committed minds and talents who wish to foster research in any of the major relevant sub-fields in an interdisciplinary manner. The instructors and thesis supervisors of the program represent an extensive pool of expertise embracing Political Science, International Relations, International Law, Regional/Area Studies, therefore, provide substantial support to students both from methodological and theoretical perspectives. The interdisciplinary character of the program is strongly reinforced by the natural cooperation with other programs of the Doctoral School, including History, Ethnography, and Cultural Anthropology.
The program has been dynamically developing its circle of partnerships and collaborations both nationally and internationally. Doctoral students have the opportunity to join projects, take part in fieldwork, and participate in many exchange programs in different corners of the Globe. The host department also offers a wide range of scientific and intercultural events.


EXAMPLES OF SUBJECTS DURING THE STUDIES
Core courses in the first 4 semesters:

  • Contemporary Theories of IR
  • The Political Economy of Inequalities
  • Critical Geopolitics and Globalization
  • Comparative Civil Society
  • Societies and Regimes in Transition
  • Governance in Theory and Practice
  • Old Themes, New Challenges in Political Theory 
  • International Public Policy Studies
  • Contemporary International Law
  • Cases of Development Policy Across the Globe
  • Comparative Security Policy
  • Research Design in IR

Each module: 5 credits except for Research Design, which is 15 credits worth.
In the Individual Research and Dissertation Writing phase (between the 2nd and 8th semesters), there are other subjects such as:

  • Dissertation Consultations
  • Journal Club Debates
  • Literature review/Book review
  • Paper Presentation at Summer School/Participation at Debate Academy
  • Research Project at the department or individual
  • Teaching Project/Department Scientific Activity Project at the department
  • Contribution to Conference/Outreach Project
  • Area Studies Research and Methods

A total of 240 credits needs to be accomplished.

Discipline
Human and Social Sciences
Academic Level/Type
PhD

For a successful application please follow the steps below:

  1. To apply, click on the Apply Now button, and start your application.
  2. Register on our application site, fill the application form, upload the necessary documents and submit your application!
  3. After you have submitted your application, you are going to receive information on the further steps.
  4. If we received your application fee, we are going to start the evaluation of your application.

Skype interview

The interview takes around 20-30 minutes. During this interview our colleagues are going to ask questions about your motivation and interests, as well as a Preliminary Research Proposal. The main goal of this discussion is to learn more about your language knowledge, personal skills and scientific interest, together with the research topic and plan you wish to enter the program with  – to be able to make the right decision to help our multicultural and open-minded community and academic integrity.

The applicant has to submit the following documents by uploading them to the online application portal of the University of Pécs:

  • MA/MSc Degree in International Relations (for lack of the degree, other degrees can also be accepted if they include the following disciplines: social science (sociology, philosophy, anthropology), law, economy, political science, history, culture and linguistics, as well as geography, geopolitics – please attach a transcript for the courses you have completed (title, credits)Transcripts of records showing satisfactory completion , university degree
  • Europass CV in English
  • List of publications (if already) and other scientific, or related professional activities
  • Motivation letter (introduction plus field of interest, etc.) in 3000 to 3500 characters.
  • Preliminary Research Proposal in 5,000 to 20,000 characters.
  • Copy of valid passport or national ID
  • Medical certificate, (please fill the document and attach the serologic test results)
    • vaccination card (showing that you are immunized against HEP B)
    • HEP A/B/C test*
    • HIV test*
    • Chest X-ray: Please attach the chest’s X-ray result (not the film!) in English/Hungarian! (not older than 3 months)
  • Transfer receipt of the EUR 140 application fee
  • Official copy of the following language exam certificates:  
  • Entrance Exam (personally or via Skype)
  • research plan, preliminary research proposal,
  • supporting letters from two instructor-researchers from your previous higher education institution(s) who are holders of the PhD degree (or other scientific degree equal to the PhD degree),
  • letter of acceptance from your future research leader at the Doctoral School

Professors and their research areas:

Dr. Zoltán Bretter: social philosophy; political philosophy; political culture; history of political thought; public policy

Dr. Viktor Glied: civil society, history, migration, sustainability

Prof. Dr. László Kákai: Local Government, local politics, non-profit organisation, civil society, political culture

Dr. Péter Kacziba: International relations in Southeastern Europe and the Middle East, The network paradigm of International Relations

Prof. Dr. Ilona Pálné Kovács: local governments, regional policy, public administration, local and regional policy, cohesion policy of the European Union, multi-level governance, development policy

Dr. Andrea Schmidt: Comparative political science, Central and Eastern Europe, Poland, political systems, international political economy, geoeconomics, geopolitics

Prof. Dr. István Tarrósy: African politics, Afro-Asian relations, Chinese Africa-policy, Hungary-Africa relations, geopolitics, international mobilities and migrations, global African migrations and diaspora, comparative political cultures

Dr. Zoltán Vörös: Foreign policy and strategies of PR China Challenges of PR China Security Studies - Asia Geography of Elections

Dr. Petra Hamerli: Hungarian-Italian Diplomatic, Cultural and Economic Relations and their Regional Influence; Vatican's Diplomacy, International relations in the 20th and 21st centuries, Italy's history and political development; Fascism and other right-wing ideologies

The supervisors can be contacted via email from here: https://politologia.btk.pte.hu/en/munkatars

  • *Please note: tests have to be taken within a year!

1st semester
Contemporary Theories of IR
The Political Economy of Inequalities
Critical Geopolitics and Globalization
Research Design in IR
2nd semester
Societies and Regimes in Transition
Comparative Civil Society
Governance in Theory and Practice
3rd semester
Old Themes, New Challenges in Political Theory
Cases of Development Policy Across the Globe
Contemporary International Law
4th semester
International Public Policy Studies
Comparative Security Policy
Publication in peer-reviewed journal or edited volume
Book Review
5th semester
Dissertation Consultation
Paper Presentation at Summer School/Participation at Debate Academy
Conference Paper
Contribution to Conference/Outreach Project
6th semester
Dissertation Consultation
Dissertation Chapter
Presentation 1. about the doctoral research
7th Semester
Dissertation Consultation
Publication in peer-reviewed journal (Qx) or edited volume
Presentation 2. about the doctoral research
8th semester
Internal Debate about the dissertation

For further information please contact:
Ms. Vanda BŐCZIN-SIRKECI
international coordinator
Phone: + 36 72 501 600/64127; +36 30 186 1686
E-mail: foreign.humanities@pte.hu
English website of the Faculty

If you have any questions about the program, please contact: 
Prof. Dr. István Tarrósy
Head of the program
Email: tarrosy.istvan@pte.hu