StudyLink logoHome
Students on a university campus

Doctor of Philosophy, PhD

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds, the United Kingdom

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
PhDFull-time, Part-time3 - 5 yearsfind outfind outfind out

About Doctor of Philosophy, PhD - at School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

A PhD is an internationally-recognised research qualification.

Studying for a PhD in the School of Politics and International Studies will allow you to become an expert in a specialist area, develop advanced research skills and enhance your professional development. The programme will equip you to embark on professional research careers both within and beyond the university sector.

Structure

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct original research under the guidance of two supervisors and produce an original thesis of approximately 100,000 words.

For the first twelve months, or eighteen months if part-time, you will be enrolled as a provisional PhD candidate. In this period, you will undertake our Foundations in Postgraduate Research induction programme and research training tailored to your needs. You will develop a detailed research proposal and write a literature review chapter. This work is then submitted to a panel of examiners who assess it and provide you with feedback and advice on the progress of your research.

This procedure is called 'transfer' and is an important means of monitoring the progress of your work, supporting your academic development, and assessing whether your proposal has enough weight to be accurately explored through a PhD research path.

After successfully transferring, you will enrol as a full PhD candidate, complete your research and write a thesis of approximately 100,000 words. 

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded on the basis of this thesis, and your viva voce, where you present and discuss the rationale, methods and findings of your original study with an examining panel.

Duration

A PhD can be taken full-time (three years) or part-time (five years).

Areas of supervision

Our research supervision offers a wide breadth of activity across several key academic teams. 

The School has a thriving research community, supported by more than 50 academic and research staff. Explore our research centres to discover the themes and supervisors relating to your field of study:  

Centre for Democratic Engagement

Centre for Global Development

European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

Centre for Global Security Challenges

Centre for Contemporary Political Theory

Many of our academic staff are also involved in the Leeds Social Science Institute which fosters interdisciplinary research collaborations and provides training for our postgraduate researchers.

Entry requirements

Candidates should hold (or expect to hold):

  • an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade of 2:1 (or equivalent degree from an overseas university)
  • a Masters degree with a minimum grade of Merit (or equivalent degree from an overseas university)
  • both in appropriate academic disciplines

Candidates should also meet our English Language requirements.

Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

Below are some suggested courses at other providers that you may also be interested in:

Leader Communication in a Cross Cultural & Changing World Short Course, Winter School

ESSCA School of Management – Online Programs

Find out more

Sustainable Energy Systems MSc

Mälardalen University

Find out more

Doctoral Program PhD

Abbe School of Photonics

Find out more

International MBA Part Time MBA

emlyon business school

Find out more

Japan Studies Bachelor of International Liberal Arts

International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA) at Yamanashi Gakuin University

Find out more

Retail Brand and Customer Experience Management Master Degree

IULM University of Milan

Find out more

Archaeology and History BA (Hons)

Bishop Grosseteste University

Find out more

Postgraduate pathways and pre-masters at other institutions

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course then consider one of these postgraduate preparation courses from another institution:

Graduate Diploma of Mental Health

Southern Cross University Online

Find out more

Business Administration - Global

James Cook University Online (JCU)

Find out more

Extended Care Paramedicine

Edith Cowan University Online (ECU)

Find out more
See all Postgraduate pathway courses

Other courses at School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

There are 15 other courses listed from School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds. A selection of these are displayed below:

Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding MA

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Find out more

Doctor of Philosophy PhD

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Find out more

Economics and Politics BA

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Find out more

Global Development MA

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Find out more

Global Development and Education MA

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Find out more

Global Governance and Diplomacy MA

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Find out more

Global Political Economy MA

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Find out more

International Development BA

School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Find out more
View all 15 courses at School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds

Related Information

See other universities in Leeds

Find out more about studying in the United Kingdom