PhD in Politics
- Research Director
- Mark Olssen AcSS
- Programme length
- Full-time: 33-48 months , Part-time: 45-96 months
- Programme start date
- October, January, April, July
The School of Politics welcomes applications from students who would like to conduct research in any of our research areas. However, we are also interested in hearing about other areas broadly in line with the research interests of our staff.
Entry Requirements
A good Bachelors degree and preferably a Masters degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent in a relevant discipline. Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, are subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Fees and Funding
Fees
| Study mode | UK/EU fees | Overseas fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £3,900 | Available soon |
| Part-time | £1,950 | Available soon |
Funding
Faculty studentship opportunities
Faculty studentships are available for top-quality students, covering tuition fees at the Home/EU rate and maintenance at current research council rates for full or part-time study.
South East Doctoral Training Centre studentship opportunities
The South East DTC offers studentships to top-quality research students wishing to study either sociology, psychology or related multidisciplinary areas within the social sciences at the University of Surrey.
The Asako Okukubo Prize for politics
The Asako Okukubo Prize is awarded each year to a student who has completed a research degree programme within the School of Politics and who has produced a doctoral thesis of ‘excellence’.
Politics at Surrey
Research
The School’s research interests fall into these main areas:
European politics
- EU and gender, rights and social policy
- European nationalisms (especially extreme right-wing versions)
- European defence and security
- Europe’s international relations
- French and German politics
International politics
- Critical terrorism studies and political violence
- International intervention
- International political economy, security and defence studies, military reform and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP)
- Conflict resolution
- Foreign policy analysis
- Nuclear non-proliferation
- Rogue states, human rights and humanitarianism
Political theory and philosophy
- Normative political philosophy
- liberalism and communitarianism
- Critical theory, continental philosophy, Michel Foucault
- Theory of ideology
- Political myth
Citizenship and policy studies
- Democracy and participation
- Gender perspectives on citizenship
- Citizenship and learning
- Young people’s understandings of citizenship
- Social exclusion
- Multiculturalism
Educational politics and policy
- Higher education policy and theory
- National and comparative educational policy
- Lifelong learning and the learning society
Staff are currently involved in research across a range of specialisms:
- Politics and international relations
- International political economy
- Citizenship and policy studies
- Higher education policy
- Political psychology, electoral behaviour and public opinion with a particular interest in American politics
- Foreign, defence and security policy analysis and the ESDP
- European Union government and politics
- European government, politics and constitutional development
- European Union lifelong learning, active citizenship globalisation
- Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, life philosophy
Research environment
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. The work of our research students builds on the research expertise of the School, 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 School are well supported; in addition to regular supervision sessions with supervisors, all students are able to take advantage of training opportunities at University and School level. We also have a dedicated room for all research students with access to good ICT facilities.
Contact us
For general enquiries
0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681 681
For admissions enquiries
+44 (0)1483 681 681