Doctor of Philosophy in Politics and International Studies at University of Cambridge

Programme overview

For full-time students, the first year of the PhD is spent in Cambridge, with two major activities: firstly, developing a research topic with the guidance of a Supervisor, and secondly, training in research methods. The development of the topic often involves extensive reading into relevant literatures, the discovery of relevant information sources (such as archives or databases), and formulating plans for primary research, such as through making plans for fieldwork. This is done in combination with your primary Supervisor.

Faculty: School of the Humanities and Social Sciences | Department: Department of Politics and International Studies | Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time | Study mode: full-time | Intake: October 2027 | Location: Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Its purpose is to ensure that your research project is viable, that an appropriate methodology is being applied and that relevant literatures are being drawn upon. There is a weekly seminar on the methodological and philosophical questions that underpin research in the contemporary social sciences, which all first-year PhD students attend.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course should have achieved a Masters (Distinction). The general requirement is for a first-class undergraduate degree from a UK university or international equivalent; and a master's degree in a relevant subject, with a mark equivalent to a distinction, or international equivalent. For research proposals that require knowledge of specific methodological or language skills, applicants must demonstrate the necessary competence or provide a realistic plan of how they will acquire the relevant skills. We strongly encourage you to include information about your ranking within your academic year from both your undergraduate and master's degrees. English language: IELTS (Academic) 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each element.

Domestic applicants: GBP 11,208 a year (2027/28). University Composition Fee (tuition) for 2027 entry; maintenance/living costs excluded. Source

International applicants: GBP 33,876 a year (2027/28). University Composition Fee (tuition) for 2027 entry; maintenance/living costs excluded. Source

Intake: October 2027

Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/popipdpis/apply

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