47 PhD programmes offered by the university

The English programme offered by Queen's University Belfast offers pathways in Literary Studies, Creative Writing, and Language and Linguistics. Proposals are welcomed in all areas from Medieval to Modern, supported by award-winning writers, linguists and critics working across British, Irish and American Literature.

The Economics programme offered by Queen's University Belfast focuses on economic theory, applied economics, and econometrics. Research strengths span areas including game theory, economic history, labour economics, regional economics, economic growth, panel data, and financial econometrics.

The History programme offered by Queen's University Belfast enables doctoral researchers to engage in original research in a historical subject of their choice, supervised by internationally recognised scholars. It is a dynamic research area with strengths in ancient, medieval, early modern and modern periods across Ireland, Britain, Europe, the United States, Africa and Asia.

The Sociology programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced expertise in social research, critical analysis, and multidisciplinary inquiry, preparing researchers to examine contemporary social issues and contribute to positive social change through evidence-based scholarship.

The Chemistry programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced expertise in catalysis, molecular innovation, medicinal chemistry, and functional materials, preparing researchers to create scientific solutions for future energy and healthcare challenges.

The Linguistics programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced expertise in language structure, variation, policy, and communication, preparing researchers to investigate how languages function, evolve, and shape social and cultural interactions.

The Education programme offered by Queen's University Belfast offers a dynamic doctoral research environment where students undertake research in key educational areas including education in divided societies, effective education, children’s rights in education, educational assessment and inclusion, and social justice and inclusion.

The Translation programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced research expertise in translation studies, intercultural communication, language mediation, and multilingual knowledge exchange, enabling students to investigate translation practices, theories, and applications across diverse social, cultural, and digital contexts.

The Law programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced expertise in legal research, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary inquiry, preparing researchers to investigate complex legal issues and contribute to the development of law, policy, and justice.

The Architecture programme at Queen's University Belfast addresses architecture and urbanism within an increasingly globalised world, examining sustainability, climate change, identity, heritage, craft and form, while supporting research into cultural, historic and technological contexts.

The research centre at Queen's University Belfast will address the topical grand challenges in Civil Engineering field, building on existing and developing new international collaborations. 

The Computer Science programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced research expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computing systems, robotics, data science, and communication technologies, enabling students to conduct original research that advances digital innovation and technological development.

The Arts Management and Cultural Policy programme at Queen's University Belfast examines cultural policy, cultural production, participation, audience development, equality, diversity, international exchange, cultural economy, governance, sustainability, and the influence of new technologies on cultural sectors.

The Spanish programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced expertise in Hispanic and Latin American languages, literatures, histories, and cultures, preparing researchers to investigate diverse cultural, linguistic, and artistic traditions across the Spanish-speaking world.

The Archaeology and Palaeoecology programme at Queen's University Belfast explores long-term changes in ecosystems, environments, climate and human societies, using approaches such as pollen analysis, tephra dating, dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating, alongside investigations of culture through time and space.

The Politics programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced research expertise in political institutions, public policy, international relations, political theory, and conflict studies, enabling students to investigate contemporary political challenges through original and independent research.

The Accounting programme offered by Queen's University Belfast brings together expertise in accounting, accounting change, budgeting, governance, performance management and reporting in not-for-profit and public sector organisations.

The Drama programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced research expertise in theatre, performance, dramatic literature, and practice-based inquiry, enabling students to produce original scholarly and creative contributions across contemporary and historical performance cultures.

The Social Work programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced research expertise in social welfare, wellbeing, social justice, and community-focused practice, enabling students to investigate complex social challenges through multidisciplinary research that informs policy, services, and professional practice.

The International Studies programme offered by Queen's University Belfast develops advanced research expertise in international relations, global politics, security, political economy, and conflict studies, enabling students to investigate contemporary international issues through original and interdisciplinary research.