Degree Awarded

The Department offers facilities for Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations (PGDIR), Master of International Relations (MIR), Master of Science (M .Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations (Ph.D).

General Requirements

Applicants for the postgraduate degree programmes in International Relations are required to be graduates of Obafemi Awolowo University or graduate of any other approved university or person who holds an approved qualification adjudged to be equivalent to a first degree.

General Departmental Requirements

The award of the postgraduate degrees shall be governed by the regulations governing postgraduate studies prescribed for similar programme in the University by the Senate.

1. Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations (PGDIR)

   The main objective of the programme is broadly to produce high manpower with sufficient knowledge to understand and analyze international issues. The course also offers basic knowledge for candidates without prior exposure to the subject matter of International Relations and also lays foundation for further advanced studies in International Relations. The PGDIR shall be by coursework, written examination and Project Essay or Long Essay.

   Course Requirements

   An applicant for admission to the PGDIR degree course shall be:

   1. a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University or
   2. a graduate of any of the approved University; or
   3. a person who holds an approved qualification adjudged to be equivalent to a first degree.

   An applicant for the PGDIR degree programme shall normally posses a Degree not lower than Second Class Honours (Lower Division) to be eligible for admission. However, candidates with lower classification, in some circumstances, may be considered.

   Duration

   Candidates must pursue a full course of study and research training in the University for a minimum period of TWO Semesters.

   Examination and Requirements for the Award of the Degree

   The award of the PGDIR degree shall be governed by the University regulations prescribed for similar programmes in the University by the Senate. For the PGDIR, candidates must have undertaken and passed a minimum 34 Units Coursework and obtained a minimum coursework weighted average of 50 (B). In addition, candidates for PGDIR must also submit a supervised Long Essay project of a minimum 5, 000 words.

2. Master of International Relations (MIR)

   The main objective of the programme is broadly to produce high manpower with sufficient knowledge to understand and analyze international issues. The course is primarily designed for practitioners or those who want to pursue a career in the Foreign Service or other related agencies

   The MIR shall be by coursework, written examination and Project Essay or Long Essay.

   Course Requirements

   An applicant for admission to the MIR degree course shall be:

   1. a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University or
   2. a graduate of any of the approved University; or
   3. a person who holds an approved qualification adjudged to be equivalent to a first degree.

   An applicant for the MIR degree programme shall normally posses a Degree not lower than Second Class Honours (Lower Division) to be eligible for admission. However, candidates with lower classification, but who have in addition obtained relevant postgraduate diploma such as those of the Foreign Service Academy and relevant civil/military institutions may be considered.

   Duration

   Candidates must pursue a full course of study and research training in the University for a minimum period of TWO Semesters.

   Examination and Requirements for the Award of the Degree

   The award of the MIR degree shall be governed by the University regulations prescribed for similar programmes in the University by the Senate. For the MIR, candidates must have undertaken and passed a minimum 34 Units Coursework and obtained a minimum coursework weighted average of 50 (B). In addition, candidates for MIR must also submit a supervised Long Essay project of a minimum 5, 000 words.

3. Master of Science in International Relations (M.Sc.)

   The M.Sc degree shall be by coursework, written examination and thesis. The objective of the programme is broadly to produce high-level manpower in the field of International Relations with both academic and professional skills. It is also intended to prepare students who may wish to pursue a Ph.D. programme.

   Admission Requirements

   An applicant for admission to the M.Sc. degree course shall be:

   1. a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University or
   2. a graduate of any of the approved University; or
   3. a person who holds an approved qualification adjudged to be equivalent to a first degree.

   An applicant for the M.Sc. Degree programme shall possess a degree not lower than a Second Class Honours (Lower Division) to be eligible for admission. In addition, applicants may be required to pass test(s) as may be prescribed by the Department.

   Duration

   The period of study shall be a minimum of FOUR SEMESTERS

   Examination and Requirements for the Award of the Degree

   The award of the M.Sc. shall be governed by the University regulations prescribed for similar programmes in the University by the Senate. All candidates are expected to submit and successfully defend a thesis. In addition, candidates must have undertaken and passed a minimum of 39 Units Coursework and obtained a minimum coursework weighted average of 50 (B).

4. Ph.D. Programme (Doctor of International Relations)

   The objective of the programme is to produce high-level manpower with academic and professional skills to serve in any capacity, particularly as academics or researchers.

   Requirements for Admission

   An applicant or admission to the Ph.D Degree programme shall be:

   1. A graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University or any other approved University who possess a M.Sc. degree with research thesis and a weighted coursework average which shall normally be not less than 60%(B).
   2. In exceptional cases, a candidate whose weighted coursework average is less than 60% (B+) may be required to take such examination(s) as shall be prescribed. The result of such examination(s) shall be approved by the Board of Postgraduate Studies.

   Examination and Requirements for the Award of the Degree

   The Ph.D is primarily a research degree and the major emphasis is on the Thesis which must make an original contribution to knowledge in the candidate’s field of study. However, every Ph.D candidate will be required to take IRS 615 Research Methodology and IRA 635 Research seminar during the first year of programme. In addition, a candidate may be required to take such other course(s) as the Department may stipulate.

   Duration

   The minimum period of study for Ph.D degree shall be Six (6) Semesters for full time study while part-time study shall not be less than Eight (8) Semesters.

   Award of Degree

   The award of the Ph.D. shall be governed by the Postgraduate College regulations 27- 30 or any other regulations as may be stipulated by Senate from time to time.