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Local Government and Public Policy with Integrated Study, Ph.D.

  • Application Deadline
  • 48 months
    Duration
University rank #79 (QS) ,
While the traditional PhD requires you to engage entirely in research training, this Local Government and Public Policy with Integrated Study from University of Birmingham enables you to gain added value from taught, subject-based modules. 

About

 These allow you to broaden and deepen your subject knowledge at the same time as undertaking your own research and developing a set of transferable professional skills in preparation for a variety of careers.

Your coursework in year 1 will be taken in the MA in Social Research programme, within the University’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised Doctoral Training Centre. This Local Government and Public Policy with Integrated Study from University of Birmingham provide postgraduate researchers with a thorough and advanced education in social research design and the most up-to-date training in methods of data collection and analysis. The combination of core modules and short courses on more advanced topics provides flexibility to relate training to the thesis topic.

If you pass the coursework component, you will progress to normal PhD study in years 2 – 4. You will work closely with your supervisors in designing and undertaking your own research project, leading to an 80,000 word thesis. You will also undertake additional training in advanced methods and transferable skills, guided by the regular training needs analysis that forms an essential basis for your Career Development Plan.

Career

The training enables graduates to develop advanced skills in designing and conducting research, in ways that are applicable to a variety of careers in academia, business, government and non-profit organisations.

Graduates from the School have gone on to work in a range of careers, with recent graduates working with organisations such as the United Nations, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, local authorities in the UK and overseas and the Department for International Development.

Detailed Programme Facts

  • Programme intensity Full-time
    • Full-time duration 48 months
  • Languages
    • English
    Schedule TOEFL® Schedule IELTS
  • Delivery mode
    On Campus

Programme Structure

Courses include:

  • Introduction to Social Science Research
  • Research Design 
  • Social Research Methods

English Language Requirements

You only need to take one of these language tests:

  • Minimum required score:

    88

    The TOEFL iBT ® measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The test has four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), each with a score range of 0-30, for a total score range of 0-120. Read more about TOEFL iBT ®.

    Schedule TOEFL®

  • Minimum required score:

    6.5

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Schedule IELTS

    StudyPortals Tip: The UK government has confirmed new English-language testing requirements for visa and immigration purposes. Learn more

  • Minimum required score (Grade B2):

    176

    C1 Advanced is a Cambridge English Qualification. It reports on the Cambridge English Scale between 142 and 210. You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and for Use of English. These five scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam. Universities and colleges may ask you to achieve a specific score, either overall or for a particular skill.

    Note: degree programmes and applications may require a more specific minimum score for admission.

Academic Requirements

  • You should posses either an excellent undergraduate degree with evidence of research ability; or undergraduate and postgraduate degrees which are not necessarily in fields directly related to the intended area of research. 
  • Besides formal qualifications, a key factor determining whether the Department decides to accept a candidate is the quality of his or her research proposal and its relevance to our own interests. Successful completion of a research thesis demands a high level of self-discipline, motivation and commitment to the subject of research. Great importance is placed on work experience, when relevant.

Tuition Fee

  • International

    15210 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 15210 GBP per year and a duration of 48 months.

  • EU/EEA

    7020 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 7020 GBP per year and a duration of 48 months.
We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.

Living costs for Birmingham

  • 765 - 1140 GBP/month
    Living Costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

StudyPortals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

The Global Study Awards: get funded with up to £10,000 to study abroad

Together with the ISIC Association and British Council IELTS, Studyportals offers you the chance to receive up to £10000 to expand your horizon and study abroad. We want to ultimately encourage you to study abroad in order to experience and explore new countries, cultures and languages.

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