Program Overview

PhD Politics / Overview

Degree Awarded

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Duration

3 years

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor's (Honours) degree in a cognate subject at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
• Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent)

Full Entry Requirements

Available upon request

How to Apply

Apply online

Application Deadlines

• For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 1 December 2024.
• If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadlines to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these dates have passed.
  • For September 2025 entry: 30 June 2025
  • For January 2026 entry: 30 September 2025

Programme Options

| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning
---|---|---|---|---
PhD | Y | Y | N | N

Programme Overview

• Join a diverse and vibrant postgraduate community of PGRs from around the world.
• Benefit from regular research seminars and events, and opportunities for professional development.
• Receive support and expertise from academics working in a wide range of politics research areas.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time)
  • UK students (per annum): £5,006
  • International, including EU, students (per annum): £22,000
• PhD (part-time)
  • UK students (per annum): £2,503
  • International, including EU, students (per annum): £11,000

Scholarships/Sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards available to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

Available Scholarships

• ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships 2025 Entry
• School of Social Sciences PhD Studentships 2025 Entry
• China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme - Competition Closed for 2025 Entry
• Future of the Academy PhD Studentship (Politics) 2025 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States) - Competition Closed for 2025 Entry
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS Awards 2025 Entry
• PhD Studentship with the Stuart Hall Foundation (Social Sciences) 2025 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2025 Entry

School/Faculty Overview

See: School Subjects

Programmes in Related Subject Areas

• Politics
• Government, Politics and International Relations
• Social Sciences

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.