PhD at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at University of London

Entry requirements

School of Advanced Study research degrees (MPhil/PhD): applicants are normally required to hold a master's degree; candidates without the formal academic requirements may be considered on the basis of alternative qualifications and/or relevant experience. A research proposal is required before an offer, and applicants are advised to discuss their proposal with a member of academic staff first. Candidates are registered for the MPhil in the first instance and upgraded to the PhD after satisfactory progress. English language for applicants whose first language is not English (or who are not nationals of a majority English-speaking country as defined by the UK Home Office): IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component, or Trinity College London ISE III at CEFR C1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening; IELTS results must be no more than two years old at enrolment and Trinity results no more than four years old. Applicants who completed a bachelor's or master's degree in a majority English-speaking country (except Canada) need no further evidence. Application deadlines: 31 October 2026 for the January 2027 start; 31 July 2027 for the September 2027 start.

Requirements published at faculty level.