We welcome applications from students who would like to conduct research (leading to an MPhil or PhD degree) in any of our areas of expertise. However, we are also interested in hearing about other areas in which you would like to conduct research, if they are broadly in line with the department's areas of research.

The aim of our Doctoral programme is to promote high quality research in the areas of politics, international relations and policy studies. At present we have about 20 doctoral students working on a wide range of issues, such as citizenship education, European Foreign and Security Policy, Russian Foreign Policy Values, and Anti-globalisation movement. The work of our research students builds on the research expertise of our department, thus creating a lively research community in which academic staff and students engage in debates about current and future trends in politics as a discipline.

Research students within the department are well supported. In addition to regular supervision sessions with their supervisors, all students are able to take advantage of training opportunities at university and departmental level. We also have a dedicated room for all research students, with access to good ICT facilities.

Why do a PhD?

Enrolling on a doctoral programme will allow you to explore in detail specific aspects of politics, international relations and policy studies. The aim of a doctorate is to make a contribution to knowledge through original research. As a matter of fact, this is one of the main assessment criteria for a PhD. This means that research students need to master current and historical debates in their field and devise a research project that contributes to and expands the scope of such dialogue.

The doctoral programme will provide students with an opportunity to explore in depth the literature and apply some kind of theoretical framework to the analysis of empirical evidence.

In many ways, a PhD represents an opportunity for you to address all the criticisms raised during your undergraduate and postgraduate studies about the shortcomings of the scholarly works you were asked to read!!

If you would like to find out more about the opportunities for postgraduate research, please read the details of how to apply and/or contact Nita Walker on +44 (0) 1483 689759.