Overview

This Politics and International Relations programme at Swansea University develops research skills needed for high-level work in any field of politics and international relations and you will be supported by a range of skills and training programmes available on campus.

As a research student, you will be required to attend skills and training courses. You deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at our postgraduate conference.

Features

Our dynamic research environment is driven by committed staff who are all active researchers with a diverse range of interests and expertise.

We have a wide spread of relevant research expertise which can be divided into the following categories: the empirical study of politics, international relations and development studies, and the history of political thought, political philosophy and political theory.

Programme Structure

Specific subjects of politics and international relations expertise include, but are not limited to:

International security and strategic studies
International politics of space
Transitional justice and international crimes
Governance and international development, including aid policy and practice
Human rights and international development
US Foreign Policy
Democratic theory
Devolution
Comparative elections
Public sector reform
European integration and European Union politics and policy

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months
Part-time
- 72 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-10-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-15 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-08-15 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-15 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-11-15 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-04-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-02-15 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-07-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-15 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-05-15 00:00:00 , National

More details

Start dates: October, January, April & July

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

88

Schedule TOEFL®

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Swansea, United Kingdom

Disciplines

International Relations Political Science View 48 other PhDs in International Relations in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

First Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

88

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

Applicants for PhD must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis.
As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.
As standard, two references are required before we can progress applications to the College/School research programme Admissions Tutor for consideration.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

20800 GBP / year

≈ 20800 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

5156 GBP / year

≈ 5156 GBP / year

Living costs

Swansea

United Kingdom

727 - 1379 GBP / month

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

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Politics and International Relations.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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