PhD in International Relations

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

28

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,05,000 / year

Job Placement

94%

Top recruiters

EY

IBM

Google

Amazon

The British Council

The European Commission

The United Nations

The World Bank

Meta

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$1,500 / year

Overall Cost

$38,500 / year

FAQs

• What are the main admission requirements for the PhD in International Relations at ETH Zurich?
  
  You must have a university Master’s degree and find a professor at ETH Zurich willing to offer you a doctoral position. Admission is only possible after securing a supervisor and completing your Master’s degree with all necessary performance assessments.
• What is the CIS PhD Colloquium?
  
  During the first two semesters, students participate in the CIS PhD Colloquium, presenting and developing their research plan, and providing feedback to peers. Research plans are evaluated by a committee of professors.
• What is the structure of the PhD program?
  
  About 70% of your time is dedicated to research, 20% to education/training, and 10% to teaching or group services. The program requires full-time presence at ETH Zurich.
• Is the PhD program fully funded?
  
  Yes, all doctoral students are fully funded, with a typical stipend of around CHF 3,500 per month. New students are recruited when funding is available.
• How long does it take to complete the PhD?
  
  The PhD typically takes 3–4 years of full-time research and education/training.