Overview
If I gain a postgraduate research degree in Local Government Studies, what are my career prospects?
In addition to the academic knowledge gained through their Local Government Studies programme from University of Birmingham, postgraduates from Birmingham’s Institute of Local Government Studies develop transferable skills that are useful in many occupations. These include familiarity with research methods; the ability to manage large and diverse quantities of information; the ability to organise information in a logical and coherent manner; judging and evaluating complex information; and making reasoned arguments, both orally and in written work.
Institute of Local Government Studies graduates are attracted to careers in both public and private sectors. These include local government, policing, health services, transport, legal services, prison services and housing. Some of these careers require further professional training, and/or building a portfolio of relevant work experience. Many PhD graduates of the Institute of Local Government Studies also successfully gain academic research and teaching posts.
What type of career assistance is available to doctoral researchers in this department?
The College of Social Sciences, to which the Institute of Local Government Studies belongs, has specially designated careers advisors and careers consultants who can provide guidance for doctoral researchers on career paths, CVs, training opportunities, application and interviews. The University’s central Careers’ Service also runs workshops and offers personally tailored advice and guidance including 1-1 careers advice, 1-1 CV advice. The Career’s Service also runs CV writing workshops especially for postgraduates in the College of Social Sciences, giving advice on how to compile CVs for both employment and for academic roles.
The University also has dedicated careers advisors for International students who run workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. These are especially popular with International postgraduate researchers.
Programme Structure
We are particularly interested in receiving applications on one of the four themes:
- Governance, institutional design and leadership
- Co-production, democratic and social innovation, and inclusion
- Policy-making, implementation and service delivery
- Smart, sustainable and creative approaches to policy challenges
Key information
Start dates & application deadlines
- StartingApplication deadline not specified.
Language
Delivered
Disciplines
Public Policy Political ScienceAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any academic requirements for this programme.
English requirements
Other requirements
General requirements
- Applicants for the distance learning PhD must provide evidence of prior research experience and/or training suitable for their intended programme of study. When they apply, they are expected to consult with their supervisor who can assess their skills, background and capacity to undertake independent study at a distance.
- Besides formal qualifications, a key factor determining whether the Department decides to accept a candidate for either degree 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. Please contact the Department for more details.
Tuition Fee
-
International
18450 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 18450 GBP per year -
National
4500 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 4500 GBP per year
£2,250 PT (Home students)
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.