Ideas that shape the world

DPIR is one of the largest departments working in Politics and International Relations in the world.

With around 90 academic staff, it is world class in international and national research and teaching. The Guardian UK ranked us the Number One University in the UK for Politics in 2024. We are home to major research projects, a vibrant community of academic visitors, and a strong group of postdoctoral researchers, supported by highly competitive research fellowships, working across a broad range of disciplinary fields.

We are responsible for the Politics part of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics curriculum as well as training one of the largest groups of political scientists in the world.

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Geopolitical Risk Executive Education Programme

Learn how to turn political insight into actionable impact.

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25 years of DPIR

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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Wellbeing

Vacancies

Be Part of DPIR

Please consider donating towards our graduate scholarship or teaching fund, so that we may continue to attract and develop talented new political scientists and provide unparalleled teaching to both our graduate and undergraduate students.

If you would like to support a more specific project or philanthropic partnership within the Department, please email our Research Facilitation Team.

Giving to Politics and International Relations

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Areas of Study and Research

Comparative Politics and Government

From constitutions to executives to parliaments to parties to electoral laws - at DPIR we rigorously examine the processes and relationships responsible for stability and change on a global, national, and local level.

Political Theory

Combining analytic, critical and historical political thought, we ask the big philosophical questions such as 'What is the true nature of politics?' and 'What values can—and should—politics realise?'

International Relations

Oxford's traditional concern with international and global order is now combined with institutionalist analysis of governance and international political economy. We offer extensive opportunities for the study of diverse regions of the world.