Politics and International Studies (PhD)

Gain the unique opportunity to undertake a research project one of the UK's largest Politics and International Studies departments.

Course Overview

PAIS has a vibrant PhD community, and our doctoral research have a very broad range of research interest. The programme is structured around achieving distinct milestones centred on your progress. In your first year, you will be required to attend the PAIS first-year training module PO961: Doctoral Thesis Writing in Politics and International Studies.

As you progress through the course, you are also expected to attend a series of tailored two-day workshops in year one, two, and three of the programme. Additional research training and personal and professional development are available through the department, the Graduate School, IT Services, and the Careers & Skills Office.

PAIS has a keen interest in fostering networking between doctoral researchers of all stages as well as between PhD students and staff, and we therefore hold regular social events.

Research Themes

Areas for PhD supervision

By research groups:

International Political Economy; International Relations and Security; Comparative Politics & Democratisation; Political Theory.

By theme:

Development; Gender; Performance and Politics; Cyber Security; Intelligence; Food Security; Justice; US/EU/UK Foreign Policy; East Asia; Europe; Democratisation; Political Spaces; Environmental Policy; North-South Relations; Ethics; International Finance; Global Governance; Migration; Terrorism and Counter-terrorism.

Teaching and Learning

• PO961: Doctoral Thesis Writing in Politics and International Studies
• Advanced Training Workshops