Politics and Government – (Ph.D.)

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The PhD is a three-year full-time or five-year part-time programme. Candidates research and write a thesis of a maximum of 100,000 words under the supervision of two academic staff. The formal requirement to obtain the qualification is that the thesis must be an original contribution to knowledge or understanding of the field under investigation and be of such scholarly merit as to justify publication.

Research environment and resources
Our research programmes provide a combination of formal research training and individual supervision within a supportive environment, with regular interaction between staff and students. For example, the School runs a weekly Graduate Research Training Seminar, where students are encouraged to present their work and receive feedback from peers and staff. Training is also offered through the Seminar to help prepare research students for careers in academia. Such training includes sessions on publishing academic work, research ethics, effective presentations, undertaking field work, and surviving the PhD viva. Students enjoy regular meetings with a supervisor and supervisory team, and are also given opportunities to collaborate with other members of staff through the staff research seminar and the activities of the three research groups. Students are encouraged to participate in the annual postgraduate research conference, during which various staff members discuss the work of research students, and outside speakers offer plenary lectures.

During the first year, all research students receive training in research methods and practice, while also working on their projects under supervision from a specialist in the relevant research area. All members of staff can supervise theses leading to research degrees.