PhD in International Relations

Applications for the Sep 2027 intake are due by May 15, 2027. Tuition fees are 50,000 CNY per year.

The PhD in International Relations at Nankai University is a 4-year degree for students who want to become experts in global affairs. It's taught in English and helps students develop advanced research skills.

The curriculum covers topics like international law, global governance, and conflict resolution. Students develop skills in research, analysis, and policy-making through seminars, workshops, and dissertations.

Graduates can become foreign policy analysts, international relations specialists, or global security consultants. They can work for think tanks, government agencies, or non-profit organizations like the World Bank or the Red Cross.

Nankai University is a prestigious multidisciplinary university in Tianjin with a century of academic excellence since its founding in 1919. As a member of China’s top university groups, Nankai offers strong programs across sciences, humanities, business and the arts, with particular recognition for mathematics, chemistry, history and economics. The campus culture blends rigorous scholarship with a tradition of civic engagement and intellectual inquiry.

Nankai provides extensive academic resources including four main libraries, large digital collections and dedicated research centres, enabling students to pursue ambitious projects and cross-disciplinary study. Facilities for sports, cultural activities and student organizations support a balanced student life, while the multipurpose smart campus card and widespread campus wifi make daily life convenient. Close links with industry and research institutes create internship and research opportunities for undergraduates and postgraduates.

Located in Tianjin, a dynamic city close to Beijing, Nankai students benefit from thriving industry, international business presence and cultural events. International students find strong orientation support, language resources and a welcoming campus community. Graduates leave with strong credentials, research experience and the professional networks needed to succeed in academic, public and private sectors at home and abroad.