Program Overview

Public Policy

Overview

The PhD in Public Policy at Queen’s University provides an exciting and rewarding programme of independent research with an established team of academics working in the discipline. The PhD in Public Policy programme is managed within the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, where scholarship and education are driven by a concern to encourage innovative and critically incisive ways of thinking about a wide range of problems that citizens and governments encounter in the modern world.

Entry Requirements

• 2.1

Course Content

• The PhD in Public Policy programme is an important element of the new Centre for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) in QUB.
• PhD students undertaking the programme will work closely with Fellows of the Centre and benefit from their international networks and resources.
• They will also undertake Modules in their first year from the MSc in International Public Policy programme, including research methods.
• The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation.

Research Areas

• Knowledge brokering between academia and public sector organisations
• Public sector reform in Gulf states
• The effects of AI and digitalisation on public services
• Changing modes of government transparency
• Environmental policy post-Brexit

Scholarships

• Some scholarship funding may be available via the following doctoral training programmes (DTP):
  • NINE DTP – Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership
  • Northern Bridge DTP – Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership
  • DfE Studentship – Department for the Economy Postgraduate Studentship scheme
• Further PhD opportunities are available through the LINAS Doctoral Training Programme

Mode of Study/Duration

• Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University.
• You will be expected to submit your thesis following three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Community

• We provide a challenging intellectual atmosphere for our postgraduates.
• Our PhD student body reflects a growing and diverse global community giving you near unrivalled opportunities to make new friends, debate aspects of your research with a substantial peer group, and begin making those networks that will stand you in good stead throughout you careers.

Careers

• Employability is at the heart of the Queen’s curriculum.
• Key to this is the delivery of a programme that fully equips all of its students to succeed in their careers and give them a competitive edge in the graduate job market.
• Social science graduates are in demand for their critical thinking skills as they are equipped to question received views and explore new approaches and solutions.
• Graduates of the School have found success in a wide range of careers including journalism, PR, marketing, policy research, social work, teaching, civil service and government posts.

People Teaching You

• Prof Muiris MacCarthaigh
  • Professor of Politics and Public Policy, Director of the Centre for Public Policy and Administration
  • Prof MacCarthaigh’s research covers a wide variety of topics in public policy and public administration.
  • He has particular expertise on the Irish case.

Course Structure

• You’ll become part of our vibrant postgraduate research culture, focused on areas including:
  • Political parties, elections, and deliberative democracy
  • Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, international political economy, gender studies, governance
  • Contemporary Irish Political History
  • Security, Terrorism and International Relations
  • Political Theory: contemporary republicanism, ethics of work, recognition, toleration, freedom of expression, Critical Theory, emotions and politics, green political thought

Learning and Teaching

• Our PhD community comprises over 80 part time and full-time research students whose research is facilitated by a range of supportive research centres including:
  • The Centre for Public Policy and Administration
  • The Democracy Unit
  • Centre for Gender in Politics
  • Centre for the Study of Ethnic Conflict
  • Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action
  • The Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice

Entrance Requirements

• The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

International Students

• For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) | £5,006
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) | £5,006
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) | £5,006
• EU Other | £20,500
• International | £20,500

Additional Course Costs

• There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
• Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
• Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library.
• If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100.
• Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
• Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
• There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines.
• In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis.

Bench Fees

• Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee.
• Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work.
• If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter.
• If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage.
• Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.