Search
Politics & International Relations – (Ph.D.)
The University of Edinburgh
School of Social and Political Science
| Application Deadline: | May 3rd (ESRC funding); July 1st (Applications) | ||
| Location: | Edinburgh / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 36 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
| ||
| Education Variants: |
| ||
| Funding: |
| ||
| Location flexibility: |
| Project type: |
|
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of The University of Edinburgh
Programme details
The degree is based on three to four years of full-time research. In the first year, students acquire a wide range of research skills and formulate their research question and related design, under the guidance of their supervisors. At the end of their course of study students submit a thesis of no more than 100,000 words and are examined in an oral examination (viva voce) by two examiners.
At the same time the Politics and IR subject area emphasises the importance for students of acquiring a range of transferrable skills above and beyond those required by their specific projects, such as organising seminars and conferences, learning how to apply for research jobs in and out of academia, and learning how to deliver professional seminar presentations. To these ends a number of workshops are organised over the year which research students are strongly encouraged to attend.
Areas of research interest
Political Theory, African Politics, Elections, Public Opinions & Political Parties, International Politics, Gender and Politics, European Integration, Migration and Citizenship, Territorial Politics, and Public Policy. You can find details for the groups at
Contents
RESEARCH TRAINING
All new research students, whatever degree they are registered for, follow a programme of research training, drawn from the MSc by Research courses co-ordinated by the Graduate School of Social and Political Science (see Graduate School Research Training Courses Handbook), and the Politics-specific training described here. The programme equips you with professional training to a high standard, enabling you to pursue further research, perhaps leading to a PhD or further research for a governmental or non-governmental institution. After graduating you can expect to be a strong candidate for careers in a wide variety of contexts, including academia, the media, the private sector and a diverse array of public services. Nearly everyone needs good researchers!
Postgraduate researchers also have access to the University and College-wide programme of training in transferable skills and other aspects of professional development, such as specialist Careers advice. In Politics each student must agree an individual training programme with their supervisor and the Postgraduate Adviser. This programme is reviewed and updated on an annual basis.
RESEARCH GROUPS
Every research student belongs to at least one of the research groups in the department and are expected to take part in their activities, ranging from doctoral workshops to seminar series and conferences.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
In addition to the School's and University's requirements (especially with regards to language skills, past academic undergraduate record and references) the department of Politics and IR attaches considerable importance to:
(a) Applicants' postgraduate work at Masters level. We will expect a good overall performance, at least in the 60s range or equivalent, with particular focus on the dissertation.
(b) Applicants' research proposal. The proposal (of about 1,000 words) should
- indicate clearly the question/issue/topic which the applicant wishes to pursue,
- provide a general background for the proposal (why is that question important? What is the existing literature on the topic? What is the gap which your research aims to fill?)
- set out the methodology to be used for the research in relation to data creation and data analysis (Will the research need statistical modelling? Will it require interviews and surveys? Will it require specific historiographic and archival skills? etc.)
- indicate why you are particularly well suited to carry out this particular research (for example, show why your past studies and/or professional experience are particularly relevant to your project, etc.)
You are strongly advised to get in touch with prospective supervisors in the department. You can identify them by looking up staff pages at
Prospective supervisors might ask you to provide them with written work from your Masters degree (for example, your MSc dissertation, or two long essays), in order to get a sense of your research potential).
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 580 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 92 |
Accreditation
This programme (as a stand-alone or combined with the MSc by research) has ESRC-recognition.
Faculty
http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/gradschool/homepage
Ask a Question
You can contact Prof. Cecile Fabre to ask a question about Politics & International Relations at The University of Edinburgh.
Relevant Links
Contact
Contact The University of Edinburgh
Using the form on this page, you can directly ask questions to the contactpersons at the university.
Fill out your contact information and message. The information you fill out in this form will be sent directly to the university. They will reply to you on the e-mail address you provide here.
Explain your academic background in the message; the more sophisticated your e-mail, the better the answer.
PhDportal.eu cannot take any responsibility for the answering of contacts or for the content of their replies.
PhDportal.eu - Finds the PhDs for you!