PhD Political and Social Thought at University of Kent

Programme overview

A research programme in the School of Politics and International Relations combining formal research training with individual supervision, within the Centre for Critical Thought community. Students choose their own topic and agree a supervisor before refining a research proposal.

Department: School of Politics and International Relations | Duration: 3 to 4 years full-time; 6 to 7 years part-time | Intake: September, January | Study mode: full-time or part-time (Canterbury) | Location: Canterbury, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Students meet a supervisor and supervisory team regularly, attend the School's weekly Graduate Research Training Seminar and annual postgraduate research conference, and use Graduate and Researcher College skills training. Recent student projects include federalism as a discursive system and a critique of post-industrial subjectivity.

Career pathways

Graduates have gone on to careers in academia, local and national government and public relations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UK typical offer 2.2 or above (course listing for MA and PhD). A first or upper-second class honours degree in a relevant subject or equivalent. International applicants: English language at CEFR B2 (Good level); for example IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, or PTE Academic 63 overall with at least 59 in each sub-test, or a degree from a UK university or a majority English-speaking country. Part-time study is not available to applicants who need a student visa unless the course is distance or blended learning with no on-campus provision.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). UK postgraduate research fee for 2027/28 not yet set by Research Councils UK; guide figure for 2026/27 full-time as published; full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 21,950 a year (2027/28). Full-time annual tuition fee from the 2027/28 fee table Source

Intake: September or January

Duration: 3 to 4 years full-time; 6 to 7 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply

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