Full-time students are expected to devote at least 39 hours per week for 46 weeks a year to their PhD work (part-time 21 hours per week).

Research students will need to produce and submit a thesis which will be examined by an oral examination.

Skills developed

Our students will acquire a broad mix of generic research skills, transferable skills and subject-specific skills. By ‘generic’ research skills, we signify the skills that are essential for undertaking any type of research project: mastering information technology, for example, or improving writing styles. Transferable skills are those which improve employability in the broader labour market: these can range from mastery of a foreign language to good communication skills. Discipline-specific skills are more squarely focussed upon the academic discipline you are studying.

The School has an exceptionally strong research culture with a strong reputation for the quality of the research produced and the growing number of research grants it is attracting. We are home to the Wales Governance Centre and to the European Governance, Identity and Public Policy Research Unit, attracting visiting scholars from all over Europe and the world.

We are at the cutting-edge of our field, delivering unique, interdisciplinary research projects.

The combination of established researchers with international reputations and young scholars has meant that we have been able to develop a dynamic and forward-looking research ethos. Many of the materials we use for our courses are written by academics and teaching staff within the department.

Areas of special strength include

• International Relations,
• British, Welsh and devolutionary politics,
• European and comparative politics
• Political Theory.

Research areas

Comparative Politics, Policy and Governance

Comparative Politics, Policy and Governance is a research area within which you can focus your studies as part of our suite of Politics and International Relations research programmes (MPhil, PhD).

European Politics and Area Studies

European Politics and Area Studies is a research area within which you can focus your studies as part of our suite of Politics and International Relations research programmes (MPhil, PhD).

International Relations and Globalisation

International Relations and Globalisation is a research area within which you can focus your studies as part of our suite of Politics and International Relations research programmes (MPhil, PhD).

Political Theory

Political Theory is a research area within which you can focus your studies as part of our suite of Politics and International Relations research programmes (MPhil, PhD).

Wales

Wales is a research area within which you can focus your studies as part of our suite of Politics and International Relations research programmes (MPhil, PhD).

Careers include teaching, universities, civil service/ Foreign Office, European Commission, journalism, business, politics, and NGOs. Our alumni include Huw Edwards (BBC), Neil Bentley (CBI), and Leri Edwards (European Commission).

Funding

We have had ESRC-funded PhD studentships for UK and EU students in the past.

See our latest PhD studentships and projects and find out more about other funding opportunities.

Tuition fees

Students from the UK

Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.

Students from the rest of the world (international)

Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.

Before applying

• Read carefully about our programme’s structure, entry criteria, funding opportunities.
• Explore our research and faculty, and identify potential supervisors to include in your application.
• Ensure that all documents required as part of your application are included.

How to apply

On this page please select:

• Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy
• Mode of study: Full time or Part time
• Start date: As applicable

Click on  apply now and complete the online application procedure.

Application checklist

Please include a:

• detailed research proposal of about 5,000 words. Read our guidance on how to write a research proposal.
• title
• introduction
• clear statement of research problem and research questions
• review of key literature
• proposed methodology
• proposed contribution (why your research is valuable and to whom)

Other documents

• Those whose first language is not English must obtain a score of at least 7.0 in IELTS (with no less than 6.5 in the Writing element and no less than 5.5 in Listening, Speaking and Reading). Please read our  English language requirements for more details.
• Copies of both Bachelor and Masters (if applicable) degree certificates and transcripts
• Two Academic References

It is very important that you provide all the relevant information when you apply as incomplete applications will not be considered.

After your application

Applications will be vetted by the Postgraduate Office and reviewed by the Admissions Tutor. Applicants who do not meet the necessary entry requirements will be rejected outright and cannot re-apply for the same start date.

Applications from candidates who meet the entry requirements will be shared with potential supervisors. Once supervisors express interest towards a candidate, a supervisory panel is formed. Candidates may then be invited to an interview (via Skype/Phone or in person) to discuss their Research project. If the interview is successful, an offer will be made.

Closing date

There are no official closing dates however as the application process takes around 2-3 months, we ask that completed applications are submitted for consideration at least 3 months before your requested start date.

Applicants should have a good Honours degree in Politics or International Relations (2:1 or equivalent) or overseas equivalent in a relevant subject.

We will consider all individual applicants on their specific merits. If you do not have the standard qualifications for the course, you may still apply. Your application will be considered if you have the following;

• Masters’ degree in Politics or International Relations (or equivalent) with an average mark of at least 65%.
• Applicants with appropriate professional experience.

Interviews (via Skype/Phone or in person) may be conducted to identify and assess the academic merit of prospective students.

English language requirements

Those whose first language is not English must obtain a score of at least 7.0 in IELTS (with no less than 6.5 in the Writing element and no less than 5.5 in Listening, Speaking and Reading).

Please read our English language requirements for more details.