Overview
The Ph.D. in Political Science with a Comparative Politics track is a research-intensive program that prepares scholars to produce original, high-impact knowledge on political systems, institutions, and processes across the globe. The program focuses on understanding political change, democratic and authoritarian dynamics, and development challenges — with particular emphasis on Muslim-majority societies and the Global South.
Students choose from four concentrations: (1) Political change and institutionalization, (2) Electoral politics and democracy/authoritarianism studies, (3) Political economy and development of Muslim societies, and (4) Religion and area studies. The applicant must indicate in their application which track they are applying to.
Why Choose This Program
Research-Driven Doctoral Training
The program emphasizes publication-oriented dissertation research, ensuring graduates enter the academic job market with a strong record of peer-reviewed contributions.
Four Specialized Concentrations
With four distinct concentrations spanning institutional change, electoral systems, political economy, and religion-politics intersections, students can tailor their research to their specific intellectual interests.
Focus on Muslim Societies and the Global South
UIII's unique positioning provides unmatched opportunities to study comparative politics in contexts that are often underrepresented in global scholarship.
Individualized Mentorship
Small cohort sizes ensure close supervision by internationally trained faculty, with dedicated advisory committees guiding each student's research journey.
Course Details
The program requires the completion of a minimum of 50 credits, including advanced coursework, comprehensive examinations, and a doctoral dissertation. The program is designed for 3–4 years of full-time study.
Core Courses
- Advanced Comparative Political Analysis
- Advanced Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)
- Political Theory and Comparative Institutions
- Wasatiyyatul Islam in a Globalizing World
Concentration Electives (select based on chosen concentration)
- Political Transitions and Institutional Design
- Electoral Systems, Parties, and Democracy
- Political Economy of Muslim Societies
- Religion, Identity, and Politics
- Area Studies Seminar
Dissertation (22 Credits)
Students develop and defend an original doctoral dissertation under the guidance of a supervisory committee.
Entry Requirements
All documents must be in English.
- Master's degree in Political Science, International Relations, or a closely related field from an accredited university.
- GPA of at least 3.50 on a scale of a maximum of 4.00, proven by undergraduate or master's academic certificate and transcript.
- A valid language proficiency certificate: TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.5 (issued within the past 24 months).
- Full curriculum vitae (in tabular form).
- Provide two academic reference contacts.
- Motivation letter indicating the chosen track (Comparative Politics) and preferred concentration.
- Brief research proposal.
- Two academic writing samples.
- Paid registration fee: IDR 750,000 (Indonesian nationals) / USD 50 (international applicants).