The world faces increasingly complex problems that have taken on global significance, including conflict and peace-building, humanitarian crises and intervention, international economic inequality and instability, and global environmental change.
Examine power and authority in the global arena through an interdisciplinary approach with the PhD in Global Governance program, offered jointly by the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.
In the program, you’ll examine the variety of actors, institutions, ideas, rules, and processes that contribute to the management of global society while contributing new knowledge and assessing new approaches for addressing current and future challenges through the completion of a thesis. Gain relevant international work experience as a visiting scholar at a top-ranked university, a fellow at a leading think tank, or as an intern with an internationally recognized non-governmental organization or in the UN system.
You’ll be prepared to pursue a career in this rapidly growing field in nation-state governments, international organizations, the non-governmental sector, or the private sector.
Research areas and degree options
- Conflict and Security
- Global Environment
- Global Justice and Human Rights
- Global Political Economy
- Global Social Governance
- Multilateral Institutions and Diplomacy
Program overview
Department/School: Balsillie School of International Affairs
Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Environment
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Doctoral, Joint, Research
Length of program: 48 months
Registration option(s): Full-time
Study option(s): Thesis
Application deadlines
- January 15 (for admission in September)
Key contacts
Rachael Gergely
rgergely@uwaterloo.ca
Admission limitations
This program admits students through both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Environment and will not be admitting any international students through the Faculty of Arts for the 2025-2026 academic year due to funding restrictions. International applicants whose proposed research relates to environmental governance should contact the program before applying. International applicants whose proposed research relates to other aspects of Global Governance should apply to the program via Wilfrid Laurier University.
Supervisors
Admission requirements
- Students must hold a Master's degree with a minimum 80% average or equivalent in political science, history, economics, international development studies, international peace studies, globalization studies, environmental studies, or a related field.
- Experienced professionals in the private or public sectors will be considered for admission, but additional course work may be required.
Degree requirements
- Review the degree requirements on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree
- Check out Waterloo's institutional thesis repository - UWspace to see recent submissions from the Balsillie School of International Affairs - Global Governance graduate students
Application materials
- Resume
- Supplementary information form (SIF)
- The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
- If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
- Transcript(s)
- Writing sample
- References
- Three references are required; at least two academic
- Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
- TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)
Tuition and fees
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Visit the graduate program tuition page on the Finance website to determine the tuition and incidental fees per term for your program
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Review living costs and housing
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Review the funding graduate school resources for graduate students