Government University of Essex

Overview

Whatever the field, politics at Essex is all about moving from opinions to evidence. Always seeking out cause and effect, in the research we cast light on important questions across the political range, and also some that you might never ordinarily connect to politics or government.

The PhD Government programme offered by University of Essex provides you with advanced research training and supervision by globally leading scholars. We work with you to analyse and explain significant political outcomes such as war and peace, transitions to democracy, the way governments shape the economy, and the results of the elections.

The dedicated staff don't just teach you politics; they teach you how to think and write about politics, and the PhD students are successful as a result. 

They present findings at international conferences, they have published in acclaimed political journals such as the Journal of Politics, International Organization, Electoral Studies, International Studies Quarterly, the Journal of Conflict Resolution, the Journal of Peace Research, and the Journal of Education. 

They've also won a number of prestigious prizes for their work, including the Peace Science Society's Stuart Bremer Award and the Cedric Smith Prize for Conflict Research).

Your future

Many of the  graduates secure post-doctoral research or teaching positions within universities. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at Oxford, University College London, Mannheim, ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Amsterdam, and Duke University in the US.

Other graduates go on to enjoy influential careers in British, European and international politics. This includes working as political lobbyists or researchers for MPs and MEPs. The graduates also work in the Civil Service and in local government, for the World Bank, the United Nations, NATO, YouGov, or work in the armed forces, finance, or business.