Overview
The Department offers supervision leading to the research degree of PhD (minimum registration three years) allowing participants to complete an 80,000-word thesis constituting a major piece of original research work.
The School of Government brings together academic staff, research fellows and doctoral researchers across the Social Sciences. The School is one of the leading UK and international centres for Politics, International Relations, International Development, Sociology and European Studies.
Career
If I gain a postgraduate research degree in this area, what are my career prospects?
Graduates of the Political Science and International Studies programme from University of Birmingham 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, in tutorials and presentations, and in written work. There are many careers where a political science and international studies degree is useful and past graduates have entered areas including commercial management, finance, administration, politics, and even the armed forces. Some of our PhD graduates also continue onto successful careers in academic research and teaching.
Programme Structure
In broad terms, our research work is focused around eight research groups:
- Asia
- Diplomatic Studies
- European Politics
- Political Economy
- Political Theory
- Security Studies
- International Relations Theory
- Political Sociology
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 36 months
- Part-time
- 72 months
- Flexible
Start dates & application deadlines
- StartingApplication deadline not specified.
Language
Delivered
Disciplines
International Relations Political Science View 34 other PhDs in International Relations in United KingdomAcademic requirements
English requirements
Other requirements
General requirements
For doctoral programmes you require a good Honours degree (UK high upper second; USA GPA 3.40), and a good research proposal.
Tuition Fee
-
International
18450 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 18450 GBP per year during 36 months. -
National
4500 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 4500 GBP per year during 36 months.
UK Part time: £2,250
Living costs for Birmingham
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.