Politics PhD
Politics at the University of Surrey is a thriving space for cutting-edge research and advanced training in a wide range of political areas relating to European politics, government and opposition, security and conflict. Our students have the opportunity to work closely with their supervisors and other members of the academic community, in an active research environment.
Key course information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- January 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £21,800
- Subject area
- Politics and international relations
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- January 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £10,900
- Subject area
- Politics and international relations
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- April 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £21,800
- Subject area
- Politics and international relations
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- April 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £10,900
- Subject area
- Politics and international relations
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- July 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £21,800
- Subject area
- Politics and international relations
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- July 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £10,900
- Subject area
- Politics and international relations
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- October 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed
- Overseas fees
- £22,700
- Subject area
- Politics and international relations
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- October 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed
- Overseas fees
- £11,400
- Subject area
- Politics and international relations
- Funding
- Funding information
Why choose this programme?
- We have three well-established research centres bringing together our students, members of staff and visiting researchers:
- We are particularly interested in promoting a lively and active community between doctoral students and members of staff, and we hold regular social events. Here at Surrey, you’ll join a cosmopolitan, multilingual and multicultural community of students and scholars. We consider doctoral students to be junior academics or researchers, and an integral part of the department.
- We belong to the SEDarc, an Economic Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded doctoral training partnership, which provides access to comprehensive academic and professional training programmes, as well as the possibility of funding for your studies.
Course details
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What you will study
Exactly what you'll study will depend on the topic of your PhD. We can supervise a wide range of areas relating to European politics, government and opposition, security and conflict – please see the research areas tab for a full list.
During your first year you will undertake two modules in quantitative and qualitative research methods. You will also attend a series of seminars providing training and advice on research and professional development, as well as becoming a member of one of our research centres.
Recent PhD students have undertaken research in the following areas:
- American politics
- Comparative politics
- Cultural diplomacy
- Democratisation
- Gender
- International relations.
Development opportunities
We have a package of development opportunities that will boost your research and teaching skills and put you in the best position to secure employment at the end of your course.
Research assistant opportunities
During your PhD, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside your research supervisor and other members of staff as a paid research assistant. You will be involved in activities such as: conducting literature reviews, helping with data analysis and interpretation for current research projects. You will play an active role in the research community.
Teaching opportunities
During your PhD you will be offered the opportunity to take on a range of paid teaching activities, fully supported by your academic colleagues. These teaching opportunities will further reinforce your personal and academic skills and help to enhance your understanding of your subject area as well as enhancing your CV significantly.
Graduate Certificate of Higher Education
In the first year of your PhD, you will have the opportunity to enrol on the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education programme offered at Surrey by our own highly regarded Surrey Institute of Education. You will learn about pedagogy, practise your teaching skills and receive an internationally recognised teaching qualification that will allow you to become a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Seminars
During your PhD, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a series of seminars alongside training supported by the Doctoral College.
Assessment
Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners.
You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Research areas
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Research themes
British and European politics
- Area studies
British institutions
- British politics
Environmental policy
European equality policies and social policy
European foreign and security policy
European integration theories
Opposition to the EU
- Polish, Central and East European politics
- Regionalism and area studies
- Role of the EU as an international actor.
Government and opposition
- Campaigns and elections
- Citizens’ impressions of parties and their leaders
Electoral behaviour
Governance and corruption
Party politics
- Political conflicts and interventions
- Populism and radicalisation
Public opinion analysis
Public policy
- Social media
Social movements, opposition and resistance
- Social, political and gender theories.
Security and conflict
- Foreign policy analysis
Human rights and humanitarianism
- International intervention
Nuclear non-proliferation
Post-conflict reconstruction and stabilisation
- Security and defence.
Discover more about our politics research.
Academic staff
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See a full list of all our politics academic staff. If you have any questions about the PhD course, please email politics@surrey.ac.uk.
Support and facilities
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Research support
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
Facilities
We continually invest in improving our research facilities and equipment. Surrey is home to research centres and facilities which promote specialised and interdisciplinary research.
Hear from our students
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A degree in politics has provided me with the analytical and practical skills to explore my full potential. The importance of politics in our society can’t be overemphasised.
I’ve been extremely fortunate to have collaborated extensively with a range of academics at both the University and across the United Kingdom.
Entry requirements
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UK qualifications
Applicants are expected to hold a minimum of an upper second-class (2:1) UK degree and a masters degree with a minimum of a merit from a UK university or overseas equivalent in a relevant discipline.
Country-specific qualifications
English language requirements
IELTS Academics: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees and funding
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Fees per year
Explore UKCISA's website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.
* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
Fee options
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £21,800
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £10,900
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £22,700
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £11,400
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Studentships
Browse our frequently updated list of funded studentships open for applications.
Register for updates
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Apply
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How to apply
We actively encourage visiting PhD students from other universities around the world. If you are interested in coming to Surrey as a visiting PhD student you may submit your application via the Doctoral College.
Application process
Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
Apply online
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
Select your course
Choose the course option you wish to apply for.
Sign in
Create an account and sign into our application portal.
Politics PhD
Full-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
Select
Politics PhD
Full-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Politics PhD
Part-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
Select
Politics PhD
Part-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Politics PhD
Full-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
Select
Politics PhD
Full-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Politics PhD
Part-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
Select
Politics PhD
Part-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Politics PhD
Full-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
Select
Politics PhD
Full-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Politics PhD
Part-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
Select
Politics PhD
Part-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Politics PhD
Full-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
Select
Politics PhD
Full-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Politics PhD
Part-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
Select
Politics PhD
Part-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
After registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Code of practice for research degrees
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.