UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

GRADUATE STUDIES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 2010 11

Issued in September 2009 by International Relations Graduate Studies Committee Department of Politics and International Relations Manor Road Oxford OX1 3UQ United Kingdom

International Relations Secretary: Ms Marga Lyall Tel. +44 (0)1865 278705 Fax: +44 (0)1865 278722 and 278725 marga.lyall@politics.ox.ac.uk

For full and up-to-date details of courses and activities in Politics and International Relations, applicants are advised to visit the Department website: http://www.politics.ox.ac.uk/prospective

This booklet is available on the Department website at: http://www.politics.ox.ac.u/prospective/grad/irbooklet/index.asp

This booklet should be read in conjunction with the Universitys Graduate Studies Prospectus 201011, available from early September 2009 at: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp

University of Oxford Graduate Studies in International Relations 2010-11 CONTENTS

Introduction 1. The Degrees 2. The MPhil in International Relations 3. The MLitt and DPhil 4. Recent DPhil Theses 5. Other Courses and Categories of Student 6. Libraries 7. Colleges, Institutes, and Centres 8. Teaching and Supervision Arrangements 9. Faculty 10. Entrance Requirements 11. Overseas Students 12. Finance and Fees 13. How to Apply 4 8 9 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 24 26 26 28

INTRODUCTION
This edition of this booklet, which is revised annually, is intended first and foremost for all those who are considering applying in 2009-10 with a view to commencing a graduate course in International Relations at Oxford University in October 2010. The deadline for receipt of applications at University Offices in Oxford is Friday 22 January 2010. The text has been prepared by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee in the Department of Politics and International Relations, situated in the Manor Road Building, Oxford OX1 3UQ. This booklet should be read in conjunction with the Universitys Graduate Studies Prospectus for entry in 2010-11, which contains much useful information, including about individual colleges, courses, fees, expenses, and sources of funding. Distributed by the Graduate Admissions Office, from end-September 2009, the 201011 edition will be available on the web at: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp.

Oxfords approach to International Relations

Oxford is one of the largest centres in Europe for graduate work and advanced research in International Relations. It has a large doctoral programme in the subject (around 85 doctoral students), an outstanding two-year taught masters course (admitting 2025 students per year), and an excellent research environment. Oxford has a distinguished tradition of training university teachers and researchers in International Relations. In the past 20 years over 80 postgraduate students at Oxford have gone on to teach the subject in universities in the UK, US and many other countries. Other common career destinations include government, international organizations, research institutes and think-tanks, consulting, journalism, and publishing. The graduate programme is strongly international in character with students coming from a very wide range of countries. Although centrally concerned with the study of International Relations within the discipline of Politics, we welcome high-quality applications from candidates with different disciplinary backgrounds, approaches and methodologies. There are several distinctive features of International Relations in Oxford, including the viewing of contemporary problems within a broad historical and philosophical context, the emphasis on understanding different national and intellectual traditions of thought on the subject, and the combining of International Relations theory and expertise with specialization in Area Studies. The research interests of the teachers cover a wide range of issues and subjects. These include: international institutions, including the UN system, NATO, the IFIs, the EU, and comparative regionalism; the interface between international relations and international law; international normative theory and the history of thought on international relations; strategic studies and the changing character of war; international political economy, with particular reference to the developing world and to global economic governance; the 4

international relations of Russia, of Asia-Pacific, of the Middle East and Islamic world, of the Americas, and of Europe. A major aspect of all the graduate courses in both Politics and International Relations at Oxford is the provision of training in research methods, and also in personal and professional skills generally. The research training includes both quantitative and qualitative methods in international relations. The latter encompasses fieldwork, interview techniques, and archival research. In addition, there are excellent opportunities at Oxford to develop your computing and word-processing skills, to learn languages (subject to registration requirements), and so on. The Department is committed to the rigorous use of a plurality of methods. There are many different ways of conducting research. Any or all may be valid in a given case, depending on the subject of the research and the questions addressed. Some research papers and theses may involve an analytical-descriptive attempt at understanding different events, perspectives and traditions of thought. Others may have a strong historiographical element exploring, for example, the relation between events and ideas, or involving an original and expert use of sources. Others may involve advancing a hypothesis about a subject and then testing it with a range of qualitative and/or quantitative approaches. Apart from meeting the highest scholarly standards, there is no set template.

The organization of graduate teaching in International Relations

Graduate studies at Oxford are largely organized by departments and divisions of the University as a whole, not by the individual colleges. Graduate studies in International Relations are organized within the Department of Politics and International Relations, which is part of the Universitys Social Sciences Division. The 2008 RAE and associated research power ranking confirmed that the Department produces more world-leading and internationally excellent research than any other UK department in the same subject. The departments teaching was awarded the maximum score (24/24) in the 2000 QAA Subject Review. The Department of Politics and International Relations has recognition from the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for its MPhil and MSc courses and for doctoral work. For more information on the Department and its activities, see its website: http://www.politics.ox.ac.uk. Within the Department, the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee is the main body responsible for admissions, planning, organization, teaching and administration of graduate studies in the subject. It holds only one admissions round each year, with a final deadline for receipt of applications of 22 January 2010 for admission in October. The Committee also handles the appointment of supervisors for accepted graduate students. The supervisor is thus appointed by a University 5

body, and may be in a different college from that of the student. (For more on teaching and supervision, see Section 8 below.) The Committee is chaired by the Director of Graduate Studies for International Relations, ProfessorJennifer Welsh. Around thirty faculty members teach regularly on the graduate International Relations programme, and many other specialists are available for thesis supervision (for a full list see Section 9 below). Please note that supervisors are allocated by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee during and after the admissions process: applicants do not need to contact potential supervisors before applying. Core teaching staff: Professor Kanti Bajpai, Dr Pablo Beramendi, Dr Alex Betts, Dr Chris Bickerton, Professor Richard Caplan, Professor Martin Ceadel, Dr John Darwin, Professor Anne Deighton, Dr Louise Fawcett, Professor Rosemary Foot, Dr Sudhir Hazareesingh, Dr Adam Humphreys, Professor Andrew Hurrell, Dr Edward Keene, Professor Yuen Foong Khong, Professor Neil MacFarlane, Professor Walter Mattli, Dr Karma Nabulsi, Professor Kalypso Nicolaidis, Dr Sarah Percy, Dr Jochen Prantl, Dr Alex Pravda, Dr Philip Robins, Professor Avi Shlaim, Professor Jennifer Welsh, Professor Ngaire Woods, Professor Jan Zielonka. For more information about International Relations at Oxford see the International Relations Graduate Teaching Portal at http://www.politics.ox.ac.uk/teaching/grad_ir.

Other aspects of International Relations at Oxford

Speakers and academic visitors. Oxford attracts speakers and academic visitors who are at the forefront of developments in International Relations. Visitors and speakers in recent years have included Karen Abu-Zayd, Kofi Annan, Charles Beitz, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Thomas Carothers, Gareth Evans, John Gaddis, Rosalyn Higgins, Douglas Hurd, Mary Kaldor, Robert Keohane, Melvyn Leffler, Andrew Linklater, Joseph Nye, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chris Patten, Javier Solana, John Ruggie, AnneMarie Slaughter, Strobe Talbott and Rob Walker. Centre for International Studies. This is the main coordinating body for externallyfunded research projects in International Relations. The Centre has a number of research associates and organizes an extensive programme of workshops and conferences. More information about the Centre for International Studies can be found at: http://cis.politics.ox.ac.uk. The Centres two main research programmes are: The Oxford Leverhulme Programme on the Changing Character of War, directed by Professor Hew Strachan. The programme aims to overcome weaknesses in current debates by increasing collaboration across departments and universities, by linking theory and practice, and by recognizing the enduring nature of different national and intellectual 6

perspectives on the problem of war. Dr Sibylle Scheipers is Director of Studies, and there are several Visiting Fellows associated with the programme. More information about all aspects of the CCW programme is available at: http://ccw.politics.ox.ac.uk. The Global Economic Governance Programme, directed by Professor Ngaire Woods. The programme was created in October 2003 to foster research and debate into how global markets and institutions can better serve the needs of people in developing countries. The programme aims to further this goal by: undertaking specific research projects in the area of Global Economic Governance; harnessing the academic research capacity of graduates and faculty both at Oxford and internationally; establishing a network of scholars, teachers and researchers across top universities including in developing countries through collaboration in projects, teaching, or exchanges; and feeding its work into public debates or public policy processes. The research of the programme is funded by the MacArthur Foundation (the Ford Foundation), the International Development Research Center and alumni of University College. Further details of the programme can be found at www.globaleconomicgovernance.org The Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict is an interdisciplinary research programme whose central aim is to determine how law, norms, and institutions can regulate, restrain, prevent, and terminate armed conflict in today's international system. Founded in 2008 through the generous funding of The James Martin 21st Century School (www.21school.ox.ac.uk), the Institute is directed by Professor Jennifer Welsh and Mr Dapo Akande. ELAC's collaborative research programme crosses the disciplines of philosophy and political theory, law, and international relations. As well as producing research of the highest quality through traditional academic channels, ELAC seeks to inform the wider public and policy debate through its various outreach activities. The institute identifies a signature theme triennially, which culminates with the generation of a Consensus Statement of Principles setting out concrete proposals for reforming and developing the normative and regulatory framework for armed conflict. For 2008-11, the theme is Strengthening International Authority. For more information about ELAC please visit http://www.elac.ox.ac.uk.

The Centres other research projects include: (1) The Anatomy of Informal Governance; (2) Civil Resistance and Power Politics: Domestic and International Dimensions; (3) Americas Natural Allies and Natural Adversaries: Identity and USUK and US-China Relations, 1900-1963; (4) Emerging Powers and Global Order: A Comparative Study of Brazil and India; (5) Exit Strategies and Peace Consolidation; 7

(6) Global Trade Ethics; (7) Disaggregating the Globalized Regulatory State: The Cases of Global Regulation in Food and Transport; (8); Europe in a Non-European World. The Centre welcomes the involvement of graduate students and those interested should feel free to contact the Director of CIS. The Centre welcomes the involvement of graduate students and those interested should feel free to contact the Director of the Centre, Professor Richard Caplan. Undergraduate studies. There is no undergraduate degree in International Relations as such, but International Relations is one of the core papers in two BA degrees: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), and History and Politics (HP). In both degrees there are two further subjects in International Relations; and in both it is also possible to write a thesis of 12,000 to 15,000 words, which can be on an International Relations topic. Full details can be found in the current edition of the Undergraduate Prospectus, available at: http://www.admissions.ox.ac.uk. Details of undergraduate courses in PPE and HP can also be found on the Departmental website at: http://www.politics.ox.ac.uk/prospective. Oxford University generally. Further general information about the University, including its courses, departments, colleges and libraries, can be found on the web at: http://www.ox.ac.uk. See also Section 5 below, on Other Courses and Categories of Student. You may also like to consult the Examination Regulations, published annually by Oxford University Press, which sets out the detailed regulations governing all the University degrees.

1. THE DEGREES
Applicants should consider carefully which degree course they wish to take. At Oxford, students are expected to complete the degree course to which they have been admitted. Having chosen to embark on a particular degree course for which competition was intense, and having been admitted to it after a rigorous selection process involving careful consideration of their qualifications etc., it is highly unusual, and in principle undesirable, for students to apply to change from one graduate degree course to another. Only in exceptional circumstances can they seek a transfer (e.g. from MPhil to Probationer Research Student status). Similarly, transfer into the MPhil in International Relations by students accepted for another course is not usually possible.

The three postgraduate degrees

There are three postgraduate degrees in International Relations:

(1)

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in International Relations This is a taught programme which lasts two academic years, that is, six consecutive terms (about 21 months), starting in October, when the Michaelmas Term begins. There is a Qualifying Test, which students must pass during the first year. Towards the end of the two years, the students must take the final examination, consisting of four 3-hour formal examinations and a thesis of up to 30,000 words. The thesis may subsequently form the basis of a DPhil thesis, if the candidate so chooses, and is admitted to DPhil status.

(2) Master of Letters (MLitt) This research degree normally takes two to three years. It is examined by thesis of up to 50,000 words on a subject chosen by the student and approved by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee. The thesis is thus shorter than that required for the DPhil. Please note that in International Relations very few students register for the MLitt. (3) Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) This research degree normally requires a minimum of two academic years residence in Oxford, and a minimum of three years fees. (Students whose work runs into a fourth year are liable to a fourth years fees.) It is examined by a thesis of up to 100,000 words on a subject chosen by the student and approved by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee. The thesis must make a significant and substantial contribution to the field of learning in which it falls. Students who are admitted to work towards either of the two research degrees (normally it is the DPhil) will be admitted as Probationer Research Students (PRS). These three degree programmes are described in more detail in the following sections: first, the MPhil, then the two research degrees.

2. THE MPHIL IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

This two-year (21-month) taught course offers an intellectually rigorous training in the recent history of world politics, in the theoretical or conceptual study of International Relations, and in appropriate research methods. The objective of the course is to give students, in their first year, a thorough mastery of the major facts, methodologies and perspectives in the field, as well as to develop students research skills. This is supplemented in the second year by specialized course work on two optional subjects and a 30,000-word thesis. The course equips students with the skills they require to undertake research and study at an advanced level, and also to undertake many forms of professional work in the field. The MPhil is a very popular course, attracting students from the worlds leading institutions. Entry is very competitive (in the 2009 applications round there were 300 9

applicants for a maximum of 30 places), and students come from a very wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. It is not unusual for students who have taken few or no courses in International Relations as such, but have a strong background in a related field (such as History, Politics, Economics), to read for this degree. The majority of students begin their graduate studies in International Relations at Oxford by doing the MPhil, which may be regarded both as a professional qualification in its own right and as preparation for a doctoral degree. Students wishing to take a doctoral degree (DPhil) in International Relations are encouraged to take the MPhil course first, except in cases where they already have (a) a very substantial background in International Relations, including training in research methods; and (b) a fully developed research proposal. See the heading below on DPhil after MPhil. Each MPhil student is assigned to a supervisor who is responsible for helping the student to plan his or her work, as well as giving individual one-to-one supervisions on particular aspects of the course. There is an extensive range of classes, lectures and research seminars, with most of the core elements of the MPhil course taught in small classes, supplemented by individual supervisions. The MPhil course has four elements.

(1) Two core subjects

There are written examinations on the MPhil core subjects at the end of the second year. (a) The Development of the International System since 1900 The history of relations between states in peace and war, and the development of the international system since 1900. It will include such topics as: the pre1914 system; the balance of power and the causes of the First World War; the effects of the peace settlement and the rise of liberal and realist approaches to international relations; collective security and the League of Nations system; political and economic co-operation in the interwar period; the USA, Soviet Union, Middle East and Far East in the inter-war years; the impact of domestic politics and ideology on foreign policy; the causes of the Second World War; the relationship between politics and strategy in the Second World War; post-war reconstruction and the origins of the Cold War; the evolution of the Cold War; decolonization and self-determination; regional conflicts; integration in Western Europe; dtente and the end of the Cold War; the evolution of international economic institutions; the evolution of security institutions; and international relations in the post-Cold War world.

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(b) Contemporary Debates in International Relations Theory Ideas about, and explanations of, international relations, concentrating mainly (but not exclusively) on the major theoretical approaches in the academic study of international relations since 1945. The key theories and approaches to be examined include: realism and neo-realism; theories about war, security and the use of force in international relations; classical liberalism, globalization, and transformation in world politics; theories about inter-state co-operation and transnationalism; the concept of international society; constructivism and the impact of law and norms in international relations; neo-Marxist and critical theory approaches to international relations; normative theory and international ethics.

(2) Research training in International Relations

A major aspect of the MPhil is to provide a range of training, both in research methods and in personal and professional skills generally. Compulsory and formally assessed elements of research training in the first year include: Research Design and Methods in International Relations. The principal formal assessment for this is through the Research Design Proposal, submitted towards the end of the first year. Preparation for this is assisted in a lecture course on the Advanced Study of International Relations, and in a Research Design Workshop. Quantitative and Formal Methods in International Relations, for which there are formally assessed coursework assignments and also a written test.

The items listed above are all assessed as part of the work for the Qualifying Test (see below), which is done towards the end of the first year. This training contributes, in the second year, towards the work on the MPhil thesis.

(3) Two optional subjects

These MPhil optional subjects are studied in the second year, and all of them lead to written examinations at the end of the second year. Teaching in some options may not be available every year. Students are advised during their first year (usually in April/May) of the availability and the teaching arrangements for the optional subjects for their second year. The two options that students will take in 2009-10 are likely to be chosen from: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) European International History since 1945 The Politics of the United Nations and its Agencies The USSR and Russia in International Relations since 1945 Strategic Studies The United States in International Relations since 1945 11

(f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) (o)

The International Relations of the Middle East International Political Economy The Function of Law in the International Community The International Relations of East Asia Classical Theories of International Relations The International Relations of the Developing World The International Relations of Latin America International Normative Theory Global Institutional Design State Failure and State Reconstruction.

Candidates normally select their optional subjects towards the end of the first year of the course. It is not necessary to make a decision before arriving.

(4) Thesis
The MPhil thesis, of not more than 30,000 words, is submitted at the end of the Easter Vacation of the second year, and forms part of the final examination. The subject of the thesis should be agreed with the supervisor well before the end of the first year. In some cases, MPhil theses require original research on primary sources, but in others, particularly where conceptual or theoretical issues are involved, it is enough to demonstrate mastery of a complex subject.

The MPhil Qualifying Test

During the first year, all MPhil candidates must pass a Qualifying Test. Failure to do so means that they cannot proceed to the second year. The Qualifying Test has three parts: (a) A formally assessed Research Proposal of up to 4,000 words. This is normally on an aspect of International Relations related to the students proposed MPhil thesis, setting out the research question being addressed and exploring the methodological/research problems that may be involved. This essay has to be submitted on the Monday of 6th week of the Trinity (summer) Term. A single three-hour written examination paper, with questions drawn from the two core subjects: The Development of the International System, 19001950; and Contemporary Debates in International Relations Theory. Both subjects are taught in the first two terms. This exam is taken at the start of Trinity Term. Satisfactory completion of research training, which includes attendance at various classes and workshops, submission of several pieces of formally assessed coursework, and a test.

(b)

(c)

12

DPhil after MPhil

Admission to a DPhil after doing an MPhil is not automatic. It requires a strong DPhil application; a strong performance in the MPhil examinations, including the thesis; and the availability of a suitable supervisor. A candidate for the DPhil who has first obtained the MPhil degree may include in the DPhil thesis all or part of his or her MPhil thesis; does not necessarily have to fulfil any further residential requirements beyond the six terms residence required for the MPhil; and will have to pay two further years of fees. Students completing the MPhil who wish to apply to do the DPhil have to make a formal application on a pre-populated form downloaded from OSS Student Self-Service in time for the January application deadline. DPhil after MPhil students are exempt from application fee liability. UK/EU students intending to go on to do the DPhil are eligible for financial support from the ESRC for the MPhil course as part of their doctoral programme (see Section 12 below).

Admission to DPhil after an Oxford Masters degree in a related subject

If you have done a Masters degree in another subject at Oxford University you can apply to be admitted as either Probationer Research Student (PRS) or DPhil student in International Relations in the same manner as outlined above for those who have been doing the MPhil in International Relations. To apply for DPhil status, you need to supply all the materials mentioned above for those who had done the MPhil in IR. To be admitted as an IR DPhil student from an MPhil course in a related subject, you would have to satisfy the IR Graduate Studies Committee that your proposed DPhil thesis topic was in the broad subject-area of International Relations, and that you had sufficient background in International Relations and in the relevant research training be registered as a doctoral student in this subject-area. Please also consult the Graduate Admissions website on www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp

3. THE MLITT AND DPHIL

Those who wish to apply direct for the research degrees of MLitt or DPhil will be expected to have a strong research proposal and a strong Masters degree in International Relations or a closely related field. The University will need evidence of your Masters degree result before you can be admitted: the latest date for receipt of such results is normally in September. The exact date will be confirmed in any offer of admission. Applicants who intend to go on to a research degree, but do not already have adequate training in the academic study of International Relations, including appropriate research training, are generally advised to apply for the MPhil. The research degrees of DPhil and MLitt are done by research resulting in a thesis, which is the main basis on which they are awarded. All students applying to do the 13

DPhil or (much more rarely) the MLitt are first registered as Probationer Research Students (PRS).

(1) Probationer Research Students

All Probationer Research Students (PRS) are expected to attend specified courses in their first year for example on research design, on specific research methods, or on the general field within which their research falls. They are also encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of seminars and lectures available in Oxford. The exact programme of first-year work will be discussed by the student with the Director of Research Training in International Relations and their supervisor at the start of the year. At around the end of their first academic year, they apply for transfer to DPhil status (or, in some cases, MLitt status) by submitting a full thesis proposal, draft introduction and a draft chapter. This written work is then formally assessed. For students who have been registered as PRS, subsequent transfer to full research student status (DPhil or MLitt) is not automatic. It requires a strong application, usually made towards the end of the first year of graduate study; a strong performance in any coursework or examinations taken; and the availability of a suitable supervisor. All changes of status (e.g. from PRS to MLitt or DPhil; or from a completed MPhil to DPhil) require the specific approval of the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee, which takes account of written work by the candidate.

(2) Work for research degrees after initial training

Having completed their initial research training, students work under the guidance of their supervisor towards either the MLitt or DPhil degree. For those students proceeding to DPhil status, such status must later be confirmed on the basis of further evidence of satisfactory work. Both research degrees are awarded after submission and successful defence of a thesis. The MLitt thesis is not more than 50,000 words; the DPhil thesis is not more than 100,000 words. The normal time for completion of the DPhil is four years, and for the MLitt three years. The MLitt and DPhil degrees always involve a viva voce (i.e. oral) examination as well as the written work mentioned above. (For the MPhil an oral exam may be held at the discretion of the examiners.) Students studying for these degrees are likely to have to do a good deal of work on their own, and need considerable personal motivation. Candidates are required to have a good general knowledge of the field within which their research falls. They should take advantage of the very wide variety of seminars, lectures, etc. At some classes or seminars they may be able to discuss aspects of their thesis work. There is also a research seminar at which research students present their work.

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Doctoral theses in International Relations at Oxford have won a remarkable number of national and international prizes, including those of the British International Studies Association and the Political Studies Association. In the last ten years, 30 doctoral theses in International Relations have been published as monographs.

4. RECENT DPHIL THESES

The following list is an illustration of the range of subjects addressed. For a full and searchable list of successful International Relations theses (DPhil, MLitt and MPhil) completed since 1971 see the website at: http://www.politics.ox.ac.uk/teaching/resources/theses/#ir.

Successful DPhil theses during the academic year 2008-09

Mr Milan Babik, In Pursuit of Salvation: Woodrow Wilson and American Liberal

Internationalism as Secularized Eschatology.

Mr Abdul Abdullah Baginda, The Normalisation of Malaysia's Relations with China,

1970-1974.
Mr Christopher Bickerton, Legitimizing foreign policy in a fragmented polity: the case

of the European Union.

Mr Charles Cater, Corporations, Resources and War: Angola 1992-2002. Ms Patty Chang, The Demand for Small Arms and Light Weapons in Senegal. Ms Julia De Clerck-Sachsse, Look Who's Talking: Civil Society, Legitimacy and the

EU's Constitutional Convention. Mr Alex de Costa, The International Causes of African Underdevelopment 1960 2007.
Mr Alexandra Delano, 'Sending States' Emigration Policies in a Bilateral Context:

Mexico's Transition from Limited to Active Engagement, 1982-2006.

Mr Matthew Eagleton-Pierce, Uncovering Symbolic Power: Power Analysis, Southern

Countries, and the World Trade Organisation.

Ms Caroline Fehl, Living with a Reluctant Hegemon: Explaining European Responses to

US Unilateralism.
Ms Nora Fisher, A Righteous Civilisation?: Turkish Elite Perceptions of European

Universalism.
Ms Helene Gandois, The Emergence of Regional Security Organisations in Africa. A

Comparative Perspective on ECOWAS and SADC.

15

Mr Arunabha Ghosh, See No Evil, Speak No Evil? The WTO, the Trade Policy Review

Mechanism and Developing Countries.

Mr Lars Hoffmann, Does Process Matter?Treaty Reform in the European Union. Mr Lee Jones, Asean, Social Conflict and Intervention in South East Asia. Ms Rachel Kleinfeld, Lawyers as Soldiers, Judges as Missionaries: U.S and EU

Strategies to build the Rule of Law from 1990-2006.

Mr Matteo Legrenzi, The Gulf Cooperation Council: Diplomacy, Security and

Economic Coordination in the Gulf.

Ms Priyanjali Malik, Debating the Option: India's Nuclear Policy in the 1990's. Mr Ivan Pearson, In the name of Oil: Anglo-American Relations in the Cold War Middle East. Ms Miriam Prys, Regions, Power and Hegemony: India and South Africa Compared. Mr Avi Raz, The Palestinian Option: Israel and the West Bank Leadership, 1967-1969.

5. OTHER COURSES AND CATEGORIES OF STUDENT

Apart from these degrees in International Relations, other courses and graduate degrees at Oxford touch on aspects of International Relations. In the Department of Politics and International Relations other graduate degree courses include the three Politics MPhils, which are in Comparative Government; Political Theory; European Politics and Society. In other departments etc. within the Social Sciences Division, graduate degree courses include Economics for Development; Economic and Social History; Development Studies; Forced Migration; Global Governance and Diplomacy; Information, Communication and the Social Sciences; Latin American Studies; African Studies; Modern Japanese Studies and Russian and East European Studies. In the Humanities Division, graduate degree courses include History (including MPhil in Modern European History, and MSt in History with specialisms in British Commonwealth, South Asian, and US History); and Oriental Studies (within which there are several specialised options, including those in Middle East subjects).

For further details of these and other diplomas and degrees, consult the Graduate Studies Prospectus and/or the Examination Regulations. It is also possible in exceptional cases for graduates who do not seek a formal qualification from the University to come to Oxford for a maximum of three terms as 16

either a Recognized Student or Visiting Student. Application details are available from www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gso/forms There is, in addition, a Certificate in Diplomatic Studies, awarded to participants in the Oxford University Foreign Service Programme. This is a course of studies for diplomats from many countries in the early years of their career. It lasts for one academic year. Further information is available from the Director, Foreign Service Programme at the Department of International Development, Queen Elizabeth House, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB. http://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/courses/oufsp-cert.

6. LIBRARIES
The library resources of Oxford are rich but geographically scattered. For full and upto-date information on all Oxford libraries see: http://www.lib.ox.ac.uk/libraries/libmore.html The best way to find where books and journals are located is to check the Oxford Libraries Information System (OLIS) online catalogue: http://www.lib.ox.ac.uk/olis. Over 7,000 journals are available electronically to students and staff at Oxford via TDNet. This is one of many resources accessible from OxLIP (Oxford Libraries Information Platform), an interface to over 350 bibliographic databases and full-text services, such as Lexis-Nexis. See: http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/oxlip/index.html. As far as International Relations are concerned, the most useful libraries are listed below: 1) Social Science Library. This library, situated in the same building as the Department of Politics and International Relations, has an extensive collection of open-shelf books for loan on Politics and International Relations as well as many other branches of the social sciences. It also has an extensive run of periodicals not for loan. It includes selected research collections from the Bodleian Library. See website at http://www.ssl.ox.ac.uk. 2) Bodleian Library. This is one of the UKs copyright libraries and in this role receives inter alia all works published or distributed in the UK. It is spread over several buildings. Parts of particular relevance to International Relations include the Radcliffe Camera, which has a collection on modern history, and is a depository for Official Publications including UN documentation; the Law Library, which has a comprehensive collection on international law and organizations, and is a depository for EU documentation; the Rhodes House Library, specialising in Commonwealth countries; and the Rothermere American Institute Library, specialising in the USA. 3) College Libraries. These are primarily for members of the college concerned. The strongest in the field of International Relations are: 17

(a)

The Codrington Library in All Souls College, which has the best collection in Oxford in the field of Strategic Studies, while also being strong in International Law and housing a selection of International Relations journals. It is open to all registered students of the University, upon application supported by your supervisor. St Antonys College Library and the libraries of its various regional centres. These contain collections of materials in European, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Russian studies. Nuffield College Library which contains a large collection of specialised holdings in the social sciences.

(b)

(c)

4) Libraries of Institutes. Most of the regional institutes and centres mentioned in the next section also have libraries. In addition to the above, there are numerous libraries in London, only 55 miles away, with important holdings in International Relations. These include the British Library, the British Library Newspaper Library, Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs), the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the British Library of Political and Economic Science (at LSE), and the National Archives at Kew. In some of the libraries above, both in Oxford and London, facilities for lending are limited or non-existent. Many students (including those from overseas) who have, in the course of their earlier studies, accumulated their own libraries on relevant topics have found that the convenience of having their own books has justified the trouble and expense of transporting them to Oxford. Graduate students at Oxford will need to buy some books when they are here, and should make allowance in preparing their financial plans.

7. COLLEGES, INSTITUTES, AND CENTRES

Colleges
An applicant must be admitted not only by the University, but also (after the University has decided to admit) by a college. All students admitted by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee (acting on behalf of the University) are guaranteed a college place. Most colleges accept graduate students in International Relations, who are in fact quite widely distributed among them. All colleges provide a variety of services, including accommodation, pastoral care, and college library. Each graduate student is assigned to a college adviser, who takes a general interest in the students well-being, and from whom the student can seek academic and other advice. Each college has a Tutor for Graduates/Senior Tutor who is a further source of advice and help. 18

There are two graduate-only colleges specialising in the social sciences: St Antonys College and Nuffield College. They organize extensive programmes of seminars, lectures and workshops relevant to those studying International Relations. Such seminars etc. are generally open to all International Relations students, irrespective of their college. See also Choosing a college in Section 13 below.

Institutes and Centres

Within Oxford University there are also many specialist institutes and centres, concentrating for example on the history, literature, languages, etc. of particular areas. Most of these centres run seminars and lectures, which International Relations students may attend. If you are interested in working more or less exclusively on a particular area or language, rather than on International Relations in a more general sense, you should look up the relevant courses in the Graduate Studies Prospectus; and on the website of the appropriate centre. The main institutes and centres are listed below: Institute for Chinese Studies, Clarendon Press Institute, Walton Street, Oxford OX1 2HG. http://www.orinst.ox.ac.uk/html/ea/chinese/chinese.html. Oriental Institute, Pusey Lane, Oxford OX1 2LE. http://www.orinst.ox.ac.uk. Rothermere American Institute, 1A South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3TG. http://www.rai.ox.ac.uk. The following Area Studies Centres are all at or connected with St Antonys College, Oxford OX2 6JF: African Studies Centre, Asian Studies Centre; European Studies Centre; Latin American Centre; Middle East Centre; Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies; Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre. http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/centres

Many of these institutes and centres are associated with the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies. For further information see: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.www.area-studies.ox.ac.uk.

8. TEACHING AND SUPERVISION ARRANGEMENTS

The tradition of graduate work at Oxford is one of individual supervision of each student, combined with small seminars and classes. Each graduate student is assigned by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee to a supervisor who is responsible for helping the student to plan his or her work and research training, as well as giving individual one-to-one supervisions on particular aspects of their work. With MPhil students, the supervisor either gives or arranges for tuition in particular papers and for supervision of the research design essay and thesis; and in addition first-year MPhil students attend weekly classes covering the two core 19

subjects and research methods training. For MLitt and DPhil students, the supervisor gives overall guidance about the thesis. The arrangements for supervision are backed up by the provision of college advisers mentioned above, and also by the thorough assessment process involved in all examinations and all transfers of status (e.g. from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status.) In addition, any problems can be taken to the appropriate Course Director or Director of Research Training. However, to a considerable extent the graduate student at Oxford is left to his or her own resources, to decide which lectures, seminars and classes to attend, and to conduct his or her own research. Students are free to attend lectures and seminars on subjects other than those on which they are working for a particular examination. An ability to work independently and organize ones own studies is essential for all these degrees, and particularly for the MLitt and DPhil. Regarding supervision, it is very difficult to state in advance who might supervise particular applicants if they were to be accepted. The important thing in any application is to indicate clearly your area or areas of interest (and also, if you wish, the name of any individual who you think might be appropriate to supervise in such areas). You will appreciate that it is often hard for busy teachers to engage in correspondence, email, etc. with applicants. The academic year at Oxford runs from October to September and is divided into three eight-week terms: Michaelmas (beginning in early October), Hilary (beginning in mid-January), and Trinity (beginning in mid-April and ending in mid-June); and three vacations. Students doing graduate work in International Relations are normally expected to be in residence for what are called 0th and 9th weeks as well as for the eight weeks of each term. MPhil students generally do much of the work for their thesis during the summer vacation at the end of the first year, and often this work is done in Oxford.

9. FACULTY
Graduate teaching is organized by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee, which forms part of the Department of Politics and International Relations. However, the subject of International Relations is not the exclusive preserve of any one department: it involves a number of teaching staff in other departments or faculties (e.g. History, Law). Teaching for the MPhil is undertaken by a group of around twenty core faculty members, but others may be available to supervise particular aspects of the subject. Some approximate idea of who teaches the various aspects of International Relations at Oxford may be gained from the following list. Many of those listed here are involved in teaching other degrees beside those in International Relations, some have 20

primary responsibilities as researchers, and some may be on leave. They may not be available to teach and act as supervisors in any given year. DPIR Faculty in International Relations Kanti Bajpai, Professor of International Relations, Wolfson College. (International Relations of South Asia, International Relations Theory). Pablo Beramendi, University Lecturer in Political Science, University College. (Comparative Political Economy, Comparative Politics, Quantitative Methods). Alex Betts, Hedley Bull Research Fellow, Wadham College. (North-South Cooperation in the Global Refugee Regime). Christopher Bickerton, Departmental Lecturer in International Relations, Wadham College. (European Union foreign policy; European integration). Richard Caplan, Professor of International Relations, Linacre College. (International Organizations and Conflict Management; Contemporary European Security.) (On leave 2007-08). Martin Ceadel, Professor of Politics, New College. (Twentieth Century International History; History of Peace Movements.) Anne Deighton, Reader in European Politics, Wolfson College. (International Relations since 1945; British Foreign Policy; European Integration.) Louise Fawcett, CUF Lecturer and Tutor in Politics, St Catherines College. (The International Relations of the Middle East; The International Relations of the Developing World.) Rosemary Foot, Professor of International Relations and John Swire Fellow in the International Relations of East Asia, St Antonys College. (US Foreign Policy; The International Relations of East Asia.). Sudhir Hazareesingh, CUF Lecturer and Tutor in Politics, Balliol College. (French Politics; Contemporary Debates in International Relations Theory; Truth and Record.) Adam Humphreys, BA Post-doctoral Fellow (International Relations Theory). Andrew Hurrell, Professor of International Relations, Nuffield College. (Theories of International Relations, including Classical Theories; International Relations of Latin America.) Edward Keene, University Lecturer in International Relations, Christ Church. (International Relations Theory, Global History). Yuen Foong Khong, Professor of International Relations, Nuffield College. (US Foreign Policy; the International Relations of the Asia-Pacific; International Relations Theory.)

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Neil MacFarlane, Lester B. Pearson Professor of International Relations, St Annes College. (Security; Regionalism; Former Soviet Union.) Margaret Macmillan, Warden, St Antonys College.(International and Diplomatic History). Walter Mattli, Professor of International Political Economy, St Johns College. (International Political Economy; Regional Integration.) Rana Mitter, University Lecturer in the History and Politics of Modern China, St Cross College. (Modern East Asian History.) Karma Nabulsi, University Lecturer in International Relations and Fellow in Politics, St Edmund Hall. (Laws of War; Classical Theories of International Relations.) Kalypso Nicolaidis, University Lecturer in International Relations, St Antonys College (International Political Economy; European Integration.) Sarah Percy, Department Lecturer in Strategic Studies and Seton Watson Research Fellow in International Relations, Merton College. (International Norms and the Use of Force; the Role of Mercenaries in International Relations.) Jochen Prantl, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for International Studies, and nonstipendiary Research Fellow, Nuffield College. (International Security Institutions; Risk and Conflict Management; International Relations Theory.) Alex Pravda, University Lecturer in Russian and East European Politics, St Antonys College. (Russian Foreign Policy; International Relations of Eastern Europe.) Philip Robins, University Lecturer in Middle East Politics, St Antonys College. (The International Relations of the Middle East.) Avi Shlaim, Professor of International Relations and Alastair Buchan Reader in International Relations, St Antonys College. (International Relations of the Middle East; International History since 1900; the Cold War.) Jennifer Welsh, Professor of International Relations, Somerville College. (International Normative Theory; Canadian foreign policy; Humanitarian Intervention.) Laurence Whitehead, Official Fellow, Nuffield College. (The International Relations of Latin America; Democratisation in International Politics.) Ngaire Woods, University Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, and Tutor in Politics, University College. (Global Economic Governance; International Relations of the Developing World.)

Academics from other Oxford Faculties with an interest in International Relations Dapo Akande, University Lecturer in Public International Law, St Peters College. (International Dispute Settlement; Law of International Organizations; International Economic and Criminal Law.)

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Othon Anastasakis, Research Fellow, St Antonys College. (EU eastern enlargement;

transition and democratization in South East Europe.)

William Beinart, Rhodes Professor of Race Relations, St Antonys College. (Southern African Politics and Environmental History.) Christine Cheng, Bennett Boskey Junior Research Fellow in Politics, Exeter College. (Political Authority after Civil War.) Judith Brown, Beit Professor of Commonwealth History, Balliol College. (Twentieth Century Indian Politics.) Simon Caney, Professor in Political Theory, University Lecturer, and Fellow and Tutor in Politics, Magdalen College. (Contemporary Political Philosophy; Theories of Justice, Equality, Multiculturalism). John Darwin, Beit Lecturer in the History of the British Commonwealth, Nuffield College. (Imperialism and Decolonization.) Christopher Davis, University Lecturer in Russian and East European Political Economy, Wolfson College. (Soviet and Russian Economics; Defence and Arms Control.) Joe Foweraker, Professor of Latin American Politics, St Antonys College. (Popular Movements and Political Change in Latin America.) Timothy Garton Ash, Professor of European Studies and Isaiah Berlin Professorial Fellow, St Antonys College. (Contemporary European History and Politics; Transatlantic Relations; Civil Resistance and Democracy Promotion.) Matthew Gibney, Reader in Refugee Studies, Queen Elizabeth House. (Refugees in International Relations.) Roger Goodman, Nissan Professor of Modern Japanese Studies, St Antonys College. (Social Anthropology of Japan and South Korea; Education and Social Welfare in East Asia.) Guy Goodwin-Gill, Professor of International Refugee Law, Senior Research Fellow, All Souls College. (International Human Rights Law; Refugees in International Relations.) Michael Hart, CUF Lecturer and Tutor in Politics, Exeter College. (International History Since 1900; The 1919 Paris Peace Conference.) David Hine, CUF Lecturer and Tutor in Politics, Christ Church. (Italian Politics; European Integration.) Vaughan Lowe, Chichele Professor of Public International Law, All Souls College. (Public International Law.) Hartmut Mayer, Supernumerary Fellow and Lecturer in Politics, St Peters College. (Western European Politics, especially Politics of the European Union, German Politics, and Foreign Policy Analysis.)

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Ian Neary, Lecturer, St Antonys College. (Human Rights in East Asia, Policy-Making in Japan, Government-Industry Relations.) Sir Adam Roberts, Emeritus Professor. (Strategic Studies; International Law on Armed Conflict; International Organizations.) David Rodin, Research Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict. (Ethics of War and Just War Theory; Moral and Political Philosophy.) Shahira Samy, Jarvis Doctorow Junior Research Fellow in International Relations and
Conflict Resolution in the Middle East, St Edmund Hall.

Dan Sarooshi, Professor of Public International Law, Queens College. (International Economic Law; International Organizations; UN and Collective Security.) Sibylle Scheipers, Academic Director of Studies, CCW, Oriel College. (The law of armed
conflict and transatlantic military interoperability.)

Robert Service, Professor of Russian History, St Antonys College. (Russian and Soviet History.) James Sherr, Lecturer in International Relations, Lincoln College. (Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy; Cold War History.) Henry Shue, Emeritus Professor. (International Normative Theory.) Vivienne Shue, Leverhulme Professor of Contemporary Chinese Studies, St Antonys College. (Contemporary Chinese Politics and Economics; Political History of China.) Hew Strachan, Chichele Professor of the History of War, All Souls College. (Strategic Studies; The Changing Character of War.) Stefan Talmon, Reader in Public International Law, St Annes College. (European Community Law; International Law.) Laura Valentini, Junior Research Fellow, Queens College (Global Justice, Constructivism in Ethics).). Federico Varese, Professor of Criminology, Linacre College. (Mafias and transnational crime.) Jan Zielonka, Professor of European Politics, St Antonys College. (European Integration and the International Relations of Europe.)

10. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

(1) General Requirements
A student wishing to read for any of the graduate degrees in International Relations has to be admitted first by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee, and then by a college. The Committee normally requires a First Class Honours 24

degree, or more rarely a very good Upper Second Class Honours degree, from a British university (or its equivalent elsewhere) in Politics, History, Economics, Law or some related discipline. For students in universities with a US system of grading the minimum entry requirement is a GPA above 3.7. To be considered for the MPhil in International Relations you must have a strong academic track record in International Relations or in a related subject such as International History, Politics or Economics. One of the purposes of the MPhil course is to provide a basic training in the subject for those who have not had intensive exposure to it in their undergraduate work. As regards the research degree courses (MLitt and DPhil), you should apply directly to do one of these only if you have a strong research proposal, and also a strong Masters degree in International Relations or a closely related field, and that Masters degree had a significant research methods component. Application for admission to graduate studies in International Relations at Oxford is extremely competitive. You should apply only if you think your qualifications, and your reasons for study at Oxford, are strong. You should take care that your application is well presented and complete: see Section 13 below.

(2) Language Requirements

A fluent command of the English language (both written and spoken) is absolutely essential, and you should not apply unless you are quite sure that you have such a familiarity with English. If your first language is not English, you must take a recognised test, and submit the result with your application.

IELTS, International English Language Testing System, which is administered through the British Council. With IELTS the absolute minimum score that we can accept is 7.5 out of 9.0, with at least 7.0 in each component. Information available at: http://www.ielts.org. TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language, which is a US-administered system. You must include the written test. With TOEFL the absolute minimum scores we can accept are 630 out of 677 in the old Paper-Based Test (PBT); 267 out of 300 in the Computer-Based Test (CBT), with an essay-writing score of 5.0; and an overall score of 109 out of 120 in the Internet-Based Test (iBT). Information available at: http://www.ets.org/toefl. CPE, Certificate of Proficiency in English, which is a Cambridge University ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) examination. The absolute minimum score we can accept is Grade B. Please note that CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) is only a stepping stone towards CPE and is not on its own an adequate qualification for admission. Information available at: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cpe.htm. 25

Exceptionally, the requirement to take a test can be waived by admitting bodies where it appears unnecessary e.g. if the candidate has done excellent work over a period of years at an English-speaking university. However, if there is uncertainty and you do not submit such test results your application may be viewed less favourably. If in doubt, it is better to take a test and submit the result. All candidates are required in addition to submit two separate samples of their written work in English: see Section 13 below.

11. OVERSEAS STUDENTS

A large proportion of the graduates studying International Relations at Oxford are from overseas. Students from a very large number of countries (basically, those outside the European Economic Area) are required to obtain a student visa before they come to the UK. Before you enter the UK, you are advised to obtain such entry clearance for the duration of your intended study. The Graduate Studies Prospectus contains information of particular relevance to overseas applicants. In addition, overseas applicants who would like advice about aspects of study at Oxford including scholarships and funding, or visa requirements, should check the website of the Student Information and Advisory Service: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/io. Tel: + 44 (0)1865 270105. The British Council offers much advice for overseas applicants who are interested in studying in the UK, including advice about funding and scholarships, at: http://www.britcoun.org. If your first language is not English, you are urged only to apply if you have a very good command of the English language, both written and spoken. See Section 10 above. It is particularly important that those coming from overseas to study in Oxford should have made adequate provision to cover their fees and expenses for the whole of the period of their expected study before leaving their home country. See also the information about other funding in the next section.

12. FINANCE AND FEES

This section contains only a brief informal summary of key sources of assistance with funding. Much fuller and more authoritative information on fees and funding relevant to students in all subjects is given in the Graduate Studies Prospectus, and is available on the Universitys website at: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp/finance.

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In addition, details about funding opportunities for graduate students in Politics and International Relations (including on how to apply) are available on the Departments website at: http://www.politics.ox.ac.uk/teaching/resources/funding. From October 2010 the University fees for Home/EU students for both taught and research courses covered in this booklet are 6,750 per annum, and 14,000 for overseas students. These figures do not include college fees.

ESRC
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the main UK funding body for graduate students in its subject areas. It makes awards to residents of other EU countries as well as of the UK. The ESRC also recognises Oxford for doctoral work in this subject. In addition, the MPhil in International Relations is an ESRC-recognised taught course, but ESRC grants for this course are based on a commitment by the student to proceed thereafter to the DPhil. Further information about ESRC Awards for postgraduate students is at: http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/opportunities/postgraduate. ESRC uses the terminology 1+3 to refer to awards covering a one-year Masters course (the 1) and a three-year doctoral programme (the +3). Under this terminology it also includes the MPhil programme at Oxford followed by doctoral work, even though the Oxford programme is in effect 2+2 years. Applicants for the +3 awards need to have completed an ESRC recognised Masters degree, or show that they have received sufficient methods and skills training to meet ESRC requirements. Using the ESRC terminology, there are two main types of award relevant to graduate students in International Relations at Oxford: ESRC +3 and 1+3 Quota Awards. A limited number of prospective students accepted for the MPhil will be nominated by the Department of Politics and International Relations for ESRC 1+3 Awards. These are of two types. (a) (b) Quota Awards. A number of these are allocated by ESRC to the Department, which then makes nominations for them. Competition Awards. The Department will also nominate one student for a 1+3 Competition award.

Those accepted as Masters degree students at Oxford (including the MPhil) eligible for an ESRC award should await nomination by the Department of Politics and International Relations for either a quota or a competition award. ESRC +3 and 1+3 Competition Awards. These are mainly for DPhil students. Accepted prospective research students who have already completed an ESRCrecognized Masters course may apply for an ESRC +3 Competition Award.

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AHRC
In a few cases, mainly concerned with international history (including diplomatic history and the history of international relations), the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) provides funds for work in International Relations. See the Joint AHRC ESRC Statement on Subject Coverage: Interfaces between the Arts and Humanities and the Social Sciences. This and other information can be found on the AHRC website: http://www.ahrc.ac.uk. Students should contact the Department in February for confirmation of deadlines.

Department of Politics and International Relations

In some years the Department of Politics and International Relations has a very small number of Department graduate studentships. They are for outstanding applicants to help cover the costs of the course for which you have applied. There is no application form: all successful applicants are considered for these awards, if they are available that year. There are also sometimes joint department-college studentships. Information on these types of studentship, if available, will be posted on the Departmental web pages at the beginning of this section.

14. HOW TO APPLY

Whether you are from the UK or from overseas, the admissions procedures to study at Oxford for a graduate degree are the same.

(1) Application form

You can now apply either on an application form or online. Please note there is a 25 application fee. All relevant details can be found on the University admissions website: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/ Your application form complete with all supporting material or your online application must be received no later than 22 January 2010 for possible admission the following October. Please ensure you supply as requested on the application form: (a) (b) (c) Transcript or similar official record of academic achievement. Two separate pieces of written work in English, each of about 2,000 words, which must be entirely your own work. A brief separate personal statement (about one page, but up to two is acceptable) of your reasons for pursuing the proposed course of study at Oxford.
Candidates for the MPhil should provide a statement of purpose indicating, for example, any relevant academic, research or practical experience; the reasons for applying for this particular programme of study; the areas in the subject that

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interest you; your thoughts about possible topics for an MPhil thesis and subsequent research. Candidates for research degrees must, in addition to the above points, provide a full outline of the proposed subject of research of up to ten pages, including a suggested title and some indication about sources and methods.

(d) (e)

A short CV (up to two pages). Certificate, where relevant, of fluency in English.

You are also required (f) to ensure that the three academic references are sent to the Graduate Admissions Office in sealed envelopes as directed. Your application cannot be dealt with until all supporting materials, including at least two of the three references, have been received by the Graduate Admissions Office. If you apply online your referees may submit their comments via the online application system. There is a section on the application form entitled Personal Statement or Research Proposal. In the statement of reasons accompanying your application you should indicate why you are applying for graduate study both generally, and in respect of the particular course at Oxford; what relevant experience you have; and what areas of study in International Relations particularly interest you. As an applicant for the research degree you should also state clearly what topic you wish to examine in your thesis; why the topic interests you; what question you seek to answer in respect of it; what are the sources and methods of analysis; and whether your chosen topic can appropriately be researched and supervised at Oxford. You should avoid topics which are vague or future-orientated, which are lacking in suitable research materials, or which would take too long to research or write. While applicants for the MPhil may not yet have a fully developed thesis proposal, they are encouraged to address these issues about research plans in as much detail as they can.

(2) Choosing a college

You must list on your application form one college by which you wish to be considered. You may also list an alternative college choice in the event that, once you have been accepted by the University, the college of first choice is not able to accept you. (Note that All Souls does not accept graduate students.) If your first-choice college cannot accept you, a college will be found for you. Since graduate studies in International Relations are largely organized on a University-wide basis, choice of college is not critical to your course of study. Students often name a particular college on the basis of a wide range of criteria: modern or traditional buildings; a graduate-only or a mixed graduate-undergraduate environment, numbers of faculty and graduates working in a particular field; provision of accommodation and other facilities. 29

Please do not send a separate application, references etc. to the college: if your University application is successful this material will be passed on to the college of your choice. Please read the information on colleges and halls in the Graduate Studies Prospectus, also available on the web at: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp/colleges.

(3) Pressure of numbers

Please note that the number of students who can be admitted to do graduate degrees in International Relations is limited. Therefore: (a) It is important to apply for such a degree in International Relations from the outset: as a general rule it is not possible to transfer in mid-course from other courses at Oxford to study for a graduate degree in International Relations. (b) Candidates are advised to apply also to other universities, and will not weaken their application to Oxford by so doing. Rejection of an application does not mean that the application was considered poor in quality. Well-qualified candidates may have to be turned down because of limitations on the size of taught graduate courses; the unavailability of suitable supervision; and other candidates having been judged to have even greater academic ability. We are not able to provide feedback to rejected applicants.

(4) Timing
It is vital to ensure that your completed application and all supporting material reaches the Graduate Admissions Office by 22 January 2010 at the latest, and preferably some weeks before. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered, and no exceptions can be made. It is expected that decisions will be communicated during March. For more information about admissions procedures, please see the relevant section of the Graduate Studies Prospectus 201011 at: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp/apply.
Every care has been taken by the Department of Politics and International Relations to ensure that the details in this booklet are correct at the time of going to press. It is, however, intended only to provide guidance as to the range of courses on offer. It may not be possible to offer in a given year courses, or options within courses, described here and the inclusion of any course or option in this booklet does not represent a guarantee on the part of the University that it will be offered.
December 2009

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