An Intergovernmental institution under
United Nations Treaty Series 49006 / 49007

Online PhD in Global Energy Security and Policy @EUCLID

Program Type

Program Type: PhD

School / Institute

School of Global Economics and Development

Study Mode

Online (Asynchonous)

Duration

Target duration: 3-3.5

Overview

EUCLID’s online PhD in Global Energy Security and Policy is a high-level doctoral program designed for professionals and scholars seeking to address the most pressing challenges at the intersection of energy, security, and international affairs. This program is closely related to EUCLID’s PhD in Global Energy Policy, but with a distinct and critical focus on energy security—understood as the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price, and the geopolitical, economic, and environmental dimensions that underpin it.

In an era marked by supply chain vulnerabilities, great-power competition, climate-induced disruptions, and the accelerating energy transition, the concept of energy security has never been more central to national and international policymaking. The war in Ukraine, the volatility of global oil and gas markets, the rise of renewable energy technologies, and the strategic importance of critical minerals have all underscored the urgent need for experts who can analyze, strategize, and lead in this complex domain.

EUCLID’s PhD in Global Energy Security and Policy offers a rigorous curriculum that blends geopolitical analysis, international relations theory, risk management, and energy economics with a deep examination of specific energy sectors—from oil and gas to nuclear and renewables. Graduates can expect to complete the program transformed and enhanced in their ability to make a difference in global energy security governance, whether in government agencies, international organizations, the private sector, or academia.

This program is unique because it is offered by an international intergovernmental organization committed to sustainable development, and because it is delivered entirely in a distance/online format, making it accessible to working professionals around the world. It is also unique for blending science and technology with economics, finance, and international relations to offer a comprehensive and interdisciplinary coverage of this critical topic.

Academic Presentation

Energy security is a major cause of concern for government agencies, international organizations, and economic actors globally. The geopolitics of energy have shifted dramatically in recent years, with traditional energy exporters and importers reconfiguring their relationships, new technologies disrupting established markets, and climate policies reshaping investment landscapes.

What are the implications of the energy transition for global security? How do states balance the competing demands of affordability, reliability, and sustainability? What role do international institutions play in managing energy crises and preventing conflicts over resources? These are some of the critical topics covered in EUCLID’s unique online PhD in Global Energy Security and Policy—unique because offered by an international intergovernmental organization with a direct mandate in sustainable development, and unique for being delivered completely in distance/online format.

More broadly, the PhD in Global Energy Security and Policy engages with the sustainable development agenda as articulated in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Students will explore how energy security intersects with sustainable development, and how policy frameworks can advance both objectives simultaneously.

The program is designed to produce doctoral-level expertise in:

  • Geopolitical analysis of energy-producing and energy-consuming regions
  • Energy security frameworks and their application to real-world crises
  • International energy governance and the role of multilateral institutions
  • Risk assessment and crisis management in energy systems
  • The political economy of oil, gas, nuclear, and renewable energy
  • Strategic policy formulation at the intersection of energy, security, and development

Students will engage with cutting-edge research, policy documents from international organizations (including the UN, IRENA, IEA, and OPEC), and case studies drawn from contemporary energy security challenges.

Requirements

Applicants should have a relevant Master’s degree issued by an institution listed in the UNESCO-IAU handbook/database or otherwise duly recognized/accredited.

Similar or related backgrounds with adequate professional experience may be considered for Government-sponsored applicants (who are already government staff) who may be admitted without the required educational credential if their level of education and experience is deemed sufficient. EUCLID may require these participants to complete bridge courses prior to enrolling in the program.

Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required and will be tested. Students are expected to be in a position to dedicate 10 to 15 effective hours of study on a weekly basis.

Additional Requirements for the PhD:

  • A completed master's degree in a relevant field of study (energy, international relations, political science, economics, engineering, or related disciplines) conferred by a recognized/accredited institution.
  • Demonstrated research capability, typically through a master's thesis or equivalent research experience.
  • A preliminary research proposal outlining the applicant's intended doctoral research focus.

Featured Video

Program Outline

PRIMARY COURSES
Code
Course Name
EUCLID Credits

International Academic Writing (Doctorate)

 

 

3

Argumentation and Critical Thinking

 

 

2

Foundations of Energy Security

 

 

3

Geopolitics of Energy

 

 

3

Energy Policy and Governance

 

 

3

Energy Security and International Relations

 

 

3

Energy Crisis and Risk Management

 

 

3

Oil and Gas Industry

 

 

3

Energy Production, Distribution & Safety

 

 

3

Sustainable Energy

 

 

3

Wind and Alternative Energy Module

 

 

3

Nuclear Energy Module

 

 

3

Politics and Economics of International Energy

 

 

3

DDIA Thesis 1/5 Bibliography + Outline

 

 

5

DDIA Thesis 2/5 Draft

 

 

5

DDIA Thesis 3/5 Completed Draft

 

 

5

DDIA Thesis 4/5 Editing

 

 

5

Doctoral Thesis 5/5

 

 

5
Total Credit Hours (USCH):
63

ELECTIVE COURSES

Note: All courses available in the EUCLID database can be considered elective, after review and approval by your EUCLID counselor. Graduate level degrees may include a certain number of undergraduate electives. Likewise, undergraduate roadmaps may be built using graduate level courses. Again, prospective students are reminded that the final degree roadmap must be reviewed and approved by the Admissions Officer to ensure logical progression of subjects covered and conformity with international standards.

STANDARD DEGREE ROADMAP - SUGGESTED ELECTIVES
Code
Course Name
EUCLID Credits

Essential Readings in Energy Studies

 

3

 

Our Energy Future

 

3

 

Global Energy Business

 

3

 

Photovoltaic Solar Energy

 

3

 

Wind Energy (DTU)

 

3

Note: to consult the current and official curriculum/list of courses from the EUCLID CMS database, please visit: EUCLID Available Degree Programs and follow the program link.

Employment Outlook

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the PhD in Global Energy Security and Policy are prepared for senior-level positions in:

  • Government and Public Sector: Energy ministries, foreign affairs departments, defense and security agencies, regulatory bodies
  • International Organizations: United Nations agencies, IRENA, IEA, OPEC, World Bank, regional development banks
  • Private Sector: Energy companies (oil, gas, renewable, nuclear), consulting firms, financial institutions, technology providers
  • Academia and Research: Universities, think tanks, research institutes, policy advisory bodies
  • Non-Governmental Organizations: Environmental and development NGOs, advocacy groups, policy foundations

Why Study @ EUCLID?

EUCLID is the only intergovernmental, treaty-based university with a UN registered charter and recognized expertise in diplomacy. Join the alma mater of ambassadors and senior officials globally.

Note: if the PDF brochure is unavailable (or outdated by 2 years), please contact [email protected]

SELECT FACULTY PROFILES

At EUCLID, we are proud to bring together a dedicated and distinguished faculty of world-class scholars, clinicians, and researchers. Our professors combine exceptional academic credentials with extensive real-world experience in translational research, clinical medicine, and global health leadership.

Drawn from prestigious institutions and international organizations, our faculty members are committed to mentoring the next generation of academic physicians and translational scientists — particularly those serving in the Global South and emerging economies.

The profiles below represent a selection of our outstanding faculty. For the full faculty roster and the professors specifically assigned to this program, please visit our Faculty Profiles Directory.

EUCLID AT WORK: RECENT NEWS AND ARTICLES