Political Science (PhD)

Applicants from China

Admission Requirements

A Master’s degree (or equivalent as recognized by Université Laval) in political science or a degree judged equivalent to a master in political science.

High Academic Achievement: The minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is 3.33 (equal or greater)  out of a possible 4.33.

Proficiency in French/English: Proficiency in French is required. Proficiency in English is a strong asset.

  • All courses are offered exclusively in French, but course exams are available in English and at least one PhD course can be taken as a guided reading class. The PhD thesis could be written in English.

Other requirements: Please note that students cannot enter the PhD program until the MSc degree has been awarded, or all requirements completed. A strong background in methods and methodology is an asset.

Program Requirements

Compulsory Courses (15 credits)

Doctoral Seminar

Choose two courses among the following:

  • Political Theory
  • Comparative Politics and political sociology
  • International relations
  • Public policies and public administration
  • Choose two courses among the following courses
  • Qualitative methods
  • Quantitative methods
  • Research proposal
  • Epistemology and political science

Complementary Courses (3 credits)

To be chosen from a list of 39 optional courses. Among them:

  • International Security
  • Ethics and international relations
  • Analysis of civil wars
  • Socio-politics of the State
  • Politics and public finances
  • Politics and Society in Africa
  • Political Communication
  • Ethics and public adiministration

Doctoral Exam (2 + 2 credits)

  • Retrospective exam (2 credits): written exam on both the subject of PhD thesis of the student and one of the subfields of the discipline  (political theory; comparative politics; public administration or international relations), followed by an oral presentation. 
  • Prospective exam (2 credits): Written PhD proposal and oral presentation, etc.

Thesis (68 credits)

Research Areas

  • Canadian and Quebec politics
  • Comparative politics
  • Public policy and public administration
  • International relations
  • Political theory
  • Political economy
  • Political sociology
  • Political communication

Financial Support - Doctoral Funding

Steps Amount*
Step 1 (semester 1) – Progression into the program (full-time students) $2375
Step 2 (semester 3) – All courses completed (except doctoral exams) $2375
Step 3 (semester 5) – Retrospective exam completed $1850
Step 4 (semester 7) – Prospective exam completed $1850
Step 5 (semester 9) – Start of data’s collection $1850
Step 6 (semester 11) – Start of writing PhD thesis $1850
Step 7 (semester 15) – Submission of the PhD thesis for evaluation $1850

* All amounts are in Canadian dollars.

Professors