Frequently Asked Questions
for new students

Prospective Applicants: please read the Frequently Asked Questions for applicants wishing to apply for the BSc IR, MSc IR and MSc IR Research, the MSc IR Theory, the MSc IPE and MSc IPE Research and the MPhil/PhD programme.

The FAQ is divided into the following sections:

• General Questions
• Questions for first-year undergraduates
• Questions for taught course graduate students 
  (MSc International Relations (IR), MSc IR Research, MSc International Political Economy (IPE), MSc IPE Research and Sciences Po-LSE Double Degree in Affaires Internationales and IR/IPE (SPDD), MSc International Relations Theory (IRT))
• Questions for first-year research students (MPhil/PhD)

NOTE: During the summer 2008, you will be receiving materials about your registration at the School from the Student Services Centre, and also a welcome letter with some suggested summer reading from the International Relations (IR) Department. Please read these materials carefully before your arrival. A detailed IR Handbook will also be given to you at the beginning of your course. In the meantime, you may find the answers to your questions on this site. You may also find it helpful to look at the School's New Arrivals website.

General Questions:

1. What are the dates of the terms in 2008/9?
2. Where is the Department of International Relations located?
3. What is the difference between a Tutor and a Supervisor?
4. What is the difference between a 'course' and a 'programme'?
5. What is the difference between a 'class' and a 'seminar'?
6. When is the Induction Meeting?  Is it important to attend?
7. Is there a Departmental Common Room?
8. Is there any formal representation of students in the IR Department?
9. Do you have an IR student society?  What is the Grimshaw Club?
10. What is Millennium: Journal of International Studies?
11. When will I be given access to email? Can I access reading lists before the session begins?
12. What study skills support is provided by the School?
13. Does the Department award any student prizes?
14. How many hours per week are given over to lectures and classes/seminars? How is teaching distributed across the three terms?
15. Can I tape lectures and access lecture notes?
16. How often will I meet my tutor/supervisor?
17. Do students usually work to support themselves while studying, and what paid jobs are available within the School? Also, are internships arranged by the Department?
18. When will the examinations be held and when will the examination timetable be available?
19. What careers do most IR graduates move into?
20. Is there anything I should read before starting in late September?
21. Are there any social/study events in the IR Department?

Questions for first-year Undergraduates (BSc IR):

1. Who is in charge of my programme?
2. What is the format of undergraduate teaching?
3. What kind of tutorial supervision will I receive?
4. How do I find out who my Tutor is?
5. How will I choose and sign up for my Year One courses?
6. Why does the IR Dept not offer half-unit courses at the BSc level?
7. How do I find out when and where lectures and classes are held?
8. How do I change the time of a class?
9. What guidance is provided on course teaching?
10. Why are reading lists for IR Dept courses generally so long?
11. What is the method of assessment for BSc students in the IR Dept?
12. Why is there very little continuous assessment?
13. How do I get my examination results?

1. Who is in charge of my programme?
2. What is the format of graduate teaching?
3. What kind of supervision will I receive?
4. How will I sign up for my compulsory courses?
5. How will I choose and sign up for my optional courses? Is there restricted access to any courses?
6. When and what is the Options Meeting? Who should attend it?
7. Are there any courses not running in 2008/9?
8. How do I find out when and where lectures and seminars are held?
9. What is the difference between the MSc IR and the MSc IR Research programmes? Is it possible to change from one to the other?
10. What is the difference between the MSc IPE and the MSc IPE Research programmes? Is it possible to change from one to the other?
11. What is the October Test?  Do I have to attend?
12. What guidance is provided on course reading?
13. Why are reading lists for IR Dept courses generally so long?
14. What is the method of assessment for MSc students in the IR Dept?
15. Why is there very little continuous assessment?
16. Can you tell me more about the 10,000 word dissertation?
17. Are there any rules regarding word-processing or handwriting essays?

Questions for first-year Research Students (MPhil/PhD):

1. Who is in charge of the research programme?
2. When is the induction meeting?  Is it important to attend?
3. What kind of supervision will I receive?
4. Can you tell me more about Research Panels?
5. What kind of research training will I receive?
6. How do I find out when and where lecture, seminar and research workshops are held?
7. How should I organise my research?
8. When will I be able to transfer from MPhil to PhD registration?
9. Does the Department provide any special facilities for research students?
10. Can I teach an undergraduate class in the Department?
11. What happens if I wish to change my research topic substantially?

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This page last modified on April 23, 2008

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