Program Overview

Overview

The School for Policy Studies links theory, policy and practice in a multidisciplinary, research-intensive environment. Our research engages with and influences national and international policy. Our policy experts come from a wide variety of backgrounds in social policy research, social work, sociology, gender violence, disability studies, health and social care, childhood studies, history, human geography, economics, psychology, physical activity, nutrition and health sciences.

Our research examines policy areas that affect us all in day-to-day life, influences and challenges policies implemented by governments and institutions, and investigates the issues, factors and attitudes underlying the social concerns that make the headlines every day.

We have seven specialist research centres, including the Norah Fry Research Centre for Disability Studies. The Norah Fry Centre is a leading national centre of excellence for applied social research and teaching, making a positive difference to the lives of disabled people. The centre explores policies, practices or societal issues from the point of view of people with disabilities, recognising and valuing their human rights.

The school is an exciting environment for graduate studies; we welcome graduate students from the UK and around the world to join our diverse and highly-rated research team. We particularly welcome applications on topics with direct relevance to national and international policy and social work concerns.

Key Information

Programme Duration

• Up to four years full-time; up to eight years part-time.

Start Date

• We welcome new PhD students all year round. However, the largest intake is in September each year with a secondary intake in January. We strongly recommend applicants to consider either a September or January start.

Application Deadline

• We welcome applications at any time of year; early application is advised.
• Programme application deadlines apply where applicants intend to apply for scholarship funding.
• For China Scholarship Commission funding and South-West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) funding, the programme application deadline is 2 December 2024.
• For University of Bristol scholarship funding, the programme application deadline is 6 January 2025.

Delivery Method

• On-Campus

Location

• Clifton

Awards Available

• PhD

World-Leading Research

• 5th: The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94%: 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• An upper second-class honours degree and a pass at MSc/MA level (or equivalent experience/qualification).
• See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
• Admissions Statement: Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
• Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and Funding

Home Students

• Full-time: £4,850 per year
• Part-time: £2,425 per year

Overseas Students

• Full-time: £21,300 per year
• Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Alumni Discount

• University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and Scholarships

• Applicants may apply for a University of Bristol scholarship. Eligible applicants can apply for a China Scholarship Council scholarship. Some applicants may also be able to apply for an SWDTP studentship, depending on the subject area of the research project. Please note that programme application deadlines apply where applicants intend to apply for scholarship funding.

Career Prospects

• Studying for a PhD in Disability Studies will equip you with a broad range of research knowledge and skills, both within the disability field and beyond. As a result, what you learn when focusing on disability-related issues and developing skills in analysis and research will be relevant to vocational or non-vocational work in many different settings and topic areas.
• Obtaining a PhD is a route into an academic post, either within a higher education institution or in a public sector or research enterprise.
• Previous graduates have gone on to work for universities, public sector bodies, third sector organisations, self-advocacy and user-led organisations, local government or education. Their roles have been strongly related to applied social research.

Meet Our Supervisors

• Professor David Abbott
• Dr Aggie Bezzina
• Dr Jak Lee
• Dr Tom Porter
• Mrs Beth Tarleton
• Dr Joe Webb

Research Groups

• The Norah Fry Research Centre is a leading international centre specialising in research with and for disabled adults, children and their families. The centre is known for its work to include people with intellectual disabilities in the research process, as well as the development of accessible, easy-to-understand information and the dissemination of research findings in multiple formats to different audiences.