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  • Undergraduate courses
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Course options

  • Qualification

    PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

  • Location

    Singleton Park Campus

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    APR-24, JUL-24, OCT-24, JAN-25, APR-25, JUL-25

  • Duration

    3 years

Course summary

COURSE OVERVIEW

A PhD or MPhil in Development Studies at Swansea enables you to pursue a substantial project led by your own passions and interests.

It represents a highly respected qualification which can present a pathway to a career in academia, or widen your scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector.

The PhD takes three years full-time or six years part-time, and the MPhil takes two years full-time or four years part-time.

You submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words for PhD assessment and 60,000 words for MPhil assessment, demonstrating original research with a significant contribution to the subject area. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva).

Our dynamic research environment is driven by committed staff who are all active researchers with a diverse range of interests and expertise through our Research Groups:

  • Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO)
  • International Studies, Conflict and Security (ISCAS)
  • Political Analysis and Government (PAG)

This expertise includes:


• Human rights and International development

• International security and strategic studies

• Conflict

• Politics and International development

• Transitional justice and international crimes

• International development Policy

You will develop and hone research skills needed for high-level work in any field of development studies, while skills and training programmes available on campus provide further support. You will have the opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at the College of Arts and Humanities Postgraduate conference.

You may also have the chance to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars from the second year, for which you receive training and payment. Financial support is also provided (subject to approval) for attending conferences or conducting research away from Swansea.

Programme Summary

This PhD in Development Studies at Swansea will enable you to undertake a substantial project led by your own interests. It is a highly respected qualification which can present a career in academia or a wider scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector. A thesis of 100,000 words will be submitted for assessment demonstrating original research with a substantive contribution to the subject area. The PhD is examined following an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination or viva voce). You will acquire research skills for high-level work and skills and training programmes are available on campus for further support. There will be an opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars and conferences. There may also be opportunities to develop your teaching skills through undergraduate tutorials, demonstrations and seminars.

Programme Aims

This PhD programme will provide doctoral researchers with:

  1. The opportunity to conduct high quality postgraduate research in a world leading research environment.
  2. Key skills needed to undertake advanced academic and non-academic research including qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
  3. Advanced critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and independent judgement.

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 17,150per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

Swansea University

Swansea University

  • University League Table

    40th

  • Campus address

    Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales

Swansea University is proud of its diverse student community, with students and staff from over 130 countries.
Swansea's dedicated international recruitment, admissions and student support teams will help to guide you from application to arrival and beyond.
Swansea offers highly rated teaching and is ranked in the top 40 UK universities (Complete University Guide 2024).

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    40th out of 79 3

    39th out of 80 2

  • Entry standards

    / Max 223
    118 52%

    47th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    78.0 78%

    34th

  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 5
    3.95 79%

    27th

    9
  • Entry standards

    / Max 219
    126 59%

    37th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    69.0 69%

    31st

    18
  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 5
    3.75 75%

    57th

    37

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