english | PPGRI San Tiago Dantas

WHO WE ARE

The San Tiago Dantas Graduate Program in International Relations (UNESP, UNICAMP, and PUC-SP) is a distinguished collaboration between three of Brazil’s leading universities. Together, they provide students with access to extensive libraries, documentation centers, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, and modern event facilities. The program is based in the heart of São Paulo.

Since its founding in 2003, the program has integrated these resources to foster excellence in teaching, research, and public engagement. Over the years, it has trained numerous master’s graduates, strengthened the field of international relations in Brazil, and introduced innovative approaches to graduate education. The successful development of its academic master’s program and the lato sensu specialization in International Economic Negotiations led to the launch of its PhD program in 2010. This expansion marked a significant step in adopting a transdisciplinary and critical perspective to shape the identity of the field.

Today, San Tiago Dantas is ranked among the top five International Relations programs in Brazil. With a highly qualified faculty, the program draws students from Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its reputation for academic excellence is also reflected in the numerous awards won by its students.

Join us and become part of our vibrant academic community!

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Foreign candidates who did not complete their undergraduate studies in Brazil or do not reside in the country can apply for direct admission at any time, bypassing the traditional selection process. Applications will be evaluated by the Graduate Program coordinator, who will communicate the final decision. This decision is final and cannot be appealed.

For the Master’s Program:

Updated CV
Research project (maximum of 20 pages)
Undergraduate degree completion certificate
Identity document (ID)

For the Doctoral Program:

Updated CV
Research project (maximum of 20 pages)
Undergraduate degree completion certificate
Master’s degree certificate
Two letters of recommendation
Identity document (ID)

If accepted, foreign candidates must submit a declaration from their home country’s relevant authorities confirming sufficient financial resources for self-support during their studies. Scholarships offered by the program are exclusively available to candidates admitted through the traditional selection process.

Since most courses are conducted in Portuguese, foreign candidates must present the Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners (Celpe-Bras), the official Brazilian exam for Portuguese proficiency. This exam is administered twice a year by INEP in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MEC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty). Master’s dissertations and doctoral theses may be written and defended in Portuguese, English, or Spanish.

AREAS AND LINES OF RESEARCH

The Graduate Program is divided into two main areas of concentration, each containing four research tracks:

Area of Concentration 1: Institutions, Processes, and Actors

1. Governance, International Politics, and Foreign Policy: Examines the interactions between domestic and international dynamics, including actors, strategies, and the creation and spread of norms in various global issues.

2. Regionalism: Focuses on the theoretical foundations and current developments in regionalism, exploring new perspectives in this field.

3. International Political Economy: Investigates the role of both states and non-state actors in shaping the global economy, particularly through the globalization of capital.

4. U.S. Studies: Analyzes U.S. institutions, policy-making processes, foreign relations, and its involvement in international institutions, with a focus on human rights.

Area of Concentration 2: Peace, Defense, And International Security

1. Strategic Thinking, Defense, and Foreign Policy: Delves into strategic thinking and the connections between defense and foreign policies, with special attention to South American countries.

2. Peace Studies, Conflict Resolution, and Crisis Management: Explores theoretical and practical approaches to peace, conflict resolution, and crisis management, using specific case studies for context.

3. International Security, Regional Security, and New Approaches: Covers international and regional security, examining both traditional and emerging perspectives, with a focus on new themes and methods in security studies.

4. International Conflicts and Violence in Contemporary Societies: Investigates the causes of international conflicts, particularly from Global South perspectives, and examines post-colonial and structural violence approaches.

For more information or inquiries about the application process, feel free to contact us at relinter@unesp.br.