PhD Public Policy at Queen's University Belfast

The PhD in Public Policy is a programme of independent research managed within the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics and aligned with the Centre for Public Policy and Administration. It culminates in an 80,000-word thesis. Students work with Centre fellows and take first-year modules from the MSc in International Public Policy, including research methods.

Department: School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics  |  Duration: 3 years full-time (PhD thesis submitted after three years of full-time registration); part-time equivalent available  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Research is supervised by a team appointed by the University, with first-year training modules including research methods. Centre research themes include knowledge brokering between academia and the public sector, public sector reform, the effects of AI and digitalisation on public services, government transparency and post-Brexit environmental policy.

Career pathways

School graduates have entered journalism, PR, marketing, policy research, social work, teaching, the civil service and government posts.

Official programme page