PhD Politics and International Relations at University of Aberdeen

Programme overview

The Department of Politics and International Relations offers internationally recognised expertise and postgraduate supervision across the various fields of our discipline.

Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Research themes include Political and International Relations Theory, Comparative Politics and Policy, Democracy and Representation and Conflict and Security.

Career pathways

Recent successful postgraduates have gone on to posts in the Scottish Parliament and civil service, the House of Commons, the UK civil service including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the UK Ministry of Defence, international organisations including the United Nations and the European Union, research consultancies, international business and banking, and lobbying.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body Applicants to the PhD and MRes must provide a detailed research proposal and two academic references from their most recent academic institution. APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONTACT POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS BEFORE MAKING AN APPLICATION. Please see PhD Supervision which details our research interests and our leaflet: Guidelines for writing a Research Proposal.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). Full-time Home/RUK research rate (set by UKRI); part-time is 50% of the full-time rate. Source

International applicants: GBP 21,700 a year (2026/27). Full-time international rate for research degrees admitted 2026/27; part-time is 50% of the full-time rate. Source

Apply through the official page: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/apply/

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