Program Overview

Politics and International Relations PhD

Overview

The School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham offers a PhD program in Politics and International Relations. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field and to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in academia, research, or policy-making.

Research Overview

The School of Politics and International Relations has a strong research culture, with a diverse range of research interests and expertise. Students will have the opportunity to work with leading researchers in the field and to contribute to the school's research centers and institutes.

Potential PhD Projects

The school invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates to undertake a PhD in Politics or International Relations. Potential PhD projects include:

• Covert economic influence
• Britain and proxy wars
• Struggles over water commodification
• Alternative trade policy
• The EU and the global South
• Intelligence assessment and policymaking
• Intelligence and diplomacy
• Environmental disasters
• British foreign policy
• Britain and the Middle East
• UK/China Relations

Course Content

The PhD program consists of a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with support and advice from academic supervisors. Students may also take 20 credits of methodological modules offered by the school or relevant modules offered by other schools.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis, and the school accepts a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements include:

• A master's degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, with an average of 63% or above, and a 2:1 at undergraduate level (or international equivalent)
• IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
• English language requirements: The school also accepts other English language qualifications, including TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB, and O level English.

Fees

• Home/UK: £5,006
• International: £23,000

Funding

There are many ways to fund a research degree, including scholarships and government loans. The school also offers a range of funding opportunities, including studentships and bursaries.

Support

The school provides a range of support services for PhD students, including:

• Professional Development Module
• Colloquium
• Conference
• Research seminars
• Teaching experience
• Researcher training and development
• Graduate centers
• Student support services

Careers

The school has a strong track record of placing PhD graduates in academic and non-academic careers. Career destinations for graduates include economists, management consultants, researchers, statisticians, and university lecturers.

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• 82% of the school's research is ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent
• 90% of the school's research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3)
• 100% of the school's research is recognised internationally
• 51% of the school's research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact