Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations (2025/2026 Study Year and forward)
1. Aims
This program aims at training professionals specialized in international relations and social science research in this particular field.
2. Admission Requirements
a) Holders of relevant master's degree (Political science, economics, law, management, foreign languages, country and region studies, national security studies, etc.),
b) Qualified through the PhD Program Examinations of MUST.
3. Program Duration
The normal study period of this program is 3 years. The maximum study period is 6 years.
4. Teaching Approach
Face-to-face Teaching
5. Medium of Instruction
Chinese or English
6. Major
1) International Relations and Global Governance
2) Relations between China and Lusophone Countries
3) Sino-Western Cultural Communication and Exchange
7. Academic Field
Politics
8. Course Structure
Table 1: Core Courses (12 Credits)
Course Title | Credits |
Social Sciences Research Methods | 4 |
Global and World History | 4 |
International Relations Theories | 4 |
Table 2: Major Core Courses (6 Credits)
Research Field | Course Title (Student of different field should choose the corresponding courses) | Credits |
International Relations and Global Governance
| Special Topics in International Political Economy | 3 |
Analysis of China's Foreign Policy | 3 | |
Relations between China and Lusophone Countries | Research on Macao's External Relations | 3 |
Research on Cultural and Economic Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries | 3 | |
Sino-Western Cultural Communication and Exchange | History of China-West Cultural Exchanges | 3 |
Macao and Cultural Exchanges between China and the West | 3 |
Table 3: Elective Courses (Complete one course from below: 2 Credits)
Course Title | Credits |
History of International Relations | 2 |
Overseas Chinese around the World and Global Governance | 2 |
Southeast Asian Studies | 2 |
Table 4: Dissertation
Course Title | Details | Credits |
Dissertation | No less than 80,000 words | 12 |
9. Teaching Requirements
Students are required to complete 3 core courses from Table 1, 2 major core courses from Table 2 and 1 elective course from Table 3 to gain 20 credits.
After confirmation of enrollment of the required credits, students can start writing the thesis proposal and complete the thesis proposal defense. Upon completion of thesis proposal defense, the candidate can start the dissertation of 80,000 word count minimum.
During the study period, students should publish one journal paper on the category-one academic journals which is approved by MUST or publish at least two journal papers on category-two academic journals.
Students should join at least 10 academic activities, including participation in academic lectures, seminars, symposiums, workshops, research programs, which approved by Institute for Social and Cultural Research, or courses offered by EDC, during the doctorate program.
The dissertation should pass the assessment and be defended successfully.
10. Study Time
1. The duration for taking all courses is 12 months and the duration of dissertation composition is 12~24 months.
2. The classes will be generally arranged in the evening from Monday to Friday, or Saturday.
11. Graduation Requirements
Upon approval from the Senate of the University, a Doctoral Degree will be conferred on a student when he or she has:
Completed and met the requirements prescribed in the study plan of his or her program within the specific study period, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above (excluding dissertation).
Abided by the regulations of the University.
Cleared all fees and charges and returned all University’s property and equipment borrowed.
Note: All curriculums and study plans are based on the newest announcement of the Boletim Oficial da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau.
Note: In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.
