Politics & International Relations PhD
The UK funding councils assessed two thirds of our research outputs as world-leading or internationally excellent, in the Research Assessment Framework (REF) 2014
- PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words
Overview
Politics & International Relations at Glasgow produces innovative and influential research across four main subfields of the discipline:
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Political Theory
- Area Studies
We have an active and engaged international community of doctoral students and pride ourselves on our active co-supervision by staff with complementary expertise. We work to foster this community through our research seminars, research clusters, professional development sessions and regular staff-student social events.
We are part of the Economic and Social Research Council-funded Scottish Doctoral Training Centre (S-DTC).
Topics for supervision
Prospective students are encouraged to discuss their research ideas with members of staff who are specialists in their fields of interest before applying.
Comparative Politics
- Authoritarianism
- Business & politics
- Democracy and democratisation
- Elections and voting, including referenda
- Energy policy
- Environmental policy
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) politics
- Political communication
- Political economy
- Political parties
- Political psychology
- Politics of education
- Politics of migration
- Public opinion [especially elections, political trust, participation and democratic support]
- Social movements and political activism
- Welfare policy
Broad expertise in comparative politics of China; Western, East and Central Europe; the European Union; United States; Russia and the post-Soviet region; Latin America; and the Middle East. For some topics we have research expertise also on Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
International Relations
- Conflict and political violence
- Critical security studies and approaches to peace
- Development and foreign aid
- Emotions and aesthetics in global politics
- Foreign policy analysis
- Gender and development
- Humanitarianism
- IR theory
- International cooperation and international organisations
- International development
- International organisations
- International political economy
- International security
- Migration and refugee politics
- Post-colonial and decolonial international relations
- Securitisation theory
- Transnational politics (non-state actors)
- War: causes and origins
- War: strategic studies
Broad expertise in international relations in Europe (East, West and Central); Russia & the post-Soviet region; the European Union; North America; and the Middle East. For some topics we have research expertise also on Africa, the Caribbean, China, the Pacific and South Asia.
Political Theory
- Climate change ethics
- Distributive justice
- Egalitarianism
- History of political economy
- History of political thought
- Liberal and conservative political thought
- Methods in political theory
- Political philosophy
- The Scottish Enlightenment
Area Studies
- Chinese politics
- Central & East European politics
- Latin American politics
- Russian & post-Soviet politics
- Southern European politics
Study options
- PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time.
Final assessment involves the submission of a thesis of between 70,000 and 100,000 words and an oral examination (viva voce).
Entry requirements
Our research degree applicants will usually possess a good Master’s degree (or overseas equivalent), with a significant component in politics.
Your proposed research topic should be in an area in which supervision can be offered. You may find it helpful to search our staff research profiles.
Research proposal
A good proposal should contain the following elements:
- a straightforward, descriptive, and informative title
- a clear account of exactly what the question is that your research will address
- an account of why this question is important and worth investigating
- an assessment of how your own research will engage with recent study in the subject
- an assessment of the key theoretical, empirical and/or policy literatures to which the study will contribute
- an indication of the theoretical/analytical frame that will be utilised by the study
- a brief account of the methodology and approach you will take
- a discussion of the primary sources that your research will draw upon, including printed books, manuscripts, archives, libraries, or museums
- an indicative bibliography of secondary sources that you have already consulted and/or are planning to consult
The length of the proposal should normally be no more than 1500 words not including references.
These are general guidelines for writing a research proposal and applicants should follow more specific instructions if provided by Schools or scholarship application procedures.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 7.0 with no sub-test under 6.5
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)
- 94; with Reading 19; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 66 with no subtest less than: Listening 59;Reading 60; Speaking 59; Writing 74
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 185 overall, no subtest less than 176
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 8
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 7 with Reading: 25-26 and Listening: 18-19
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 8.
Trinity College Tests
Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Fees and funding
Fees
2024/25
- UK: £4,786
- International & EU: £25,290
Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
Alumni discount
We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.
Possible additional fees
- Re-submission by a research student £540
- Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
- Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790
Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.
Funding
Support
The College of Social Sciences Graduate School draws together internationally recognised scholars and respected practitioners to offer a range of research programmes.
Our programmes are based on thorough training in research methods and we encourage you to take part in numerous exciting seminars, conferences and events. We offer modern library, IT services and a wide-range of support services. You will be living in one of Europe’s most exciting cities which has a vibrant cultural and social life.
Our Graduate School Researcher Development Programme will support you to plan your professional development over the course of your PhD and ensure your employability.
How to apply
Identify potential supervisors
All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.
You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.
Gather your documents
Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:
- Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
- Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
- Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploaded as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
- Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area.
Contact us
- If you have any questions about your application: contact our Admissions team
- Any references may be submitted by email to: rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
International Students
- Advice on visa, immigrations and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) can be found on our International student pages
Our research environment
