PhD Politics at Queen's University Belfast

The PhD in Politics aims to produce fully fledged independent researchers who are encouraged from the outset to present at seminars and conferences and publish in high-quality outlets. The programme culminates in an 80,000-word thesis. Research strengths include political parties, elections and deliberative democracy, governance and public policy, Irish political history, international relations, international political economy, security and terrorism, political theory, and nationalism and ethnic conflict studies.

Department: School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics  |  Duration: 3 years full-time (part-time equivalent available)  |  Intake: September 2027  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Students undertake an independent research project under a supervisory team appointed by the University and take part in the weekly Political Theory/Philosophy research workshop and the Political Studies and International Relations seminar. Registration is full-time or part-time, with thesis submission at the end of three years full-time (two years for MPhil) or the part-time equivalent.

Career pathways

Graduates of the School have found success in careers including journalism, PR, marketing, policy research, social work, teaching, civil service and government posts.

Official programme page