Course summary
Conduct advanced political research in an innovative interdisciplinary school. Study with internationally renowned politics and international relations scholars in a dynamic and supportive research environment. Our research activity is guided by focusing on key themes such as critical security; conflict, peace and violence; gender and sexuality; race, colonialism, postcolonialism, and decolonialism; global knowledge (including expertise, ignorance, and secrecy); the climate crisis and green political theory; political economy; political and social inequalities; popular culture and (global) politics; political and international theory; socio-technical systems and their politics; Europe and European governance; the Americas, politics and sociology; African regional and state politics; and South and East Asian regional and state politics. Benefit from support and oversight from two PhD supervisors whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen research area. Be challenged and inspired by an international community of scholars addressing some of the most important topics that face us today. Join a diverse, innovative community, committed to rigorous conceptual and empirical research that is politically and socially relevant and problem-orientated. Be taught by academics producing leading research that is relevant to the changing circumstances of an increasingly interconnected world. Produce work that advances theory, knowledge and methods at the cutting edge and contributes to better understanding and improvement within politics. Possible start dates are September 2026 and January 2027. Please see the programme page on our website for more information.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2026/phd-politics.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries.
Entry requirements
An upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) and normally a merit at MSc/MA level (or equivalent). See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £5106 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5106 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5106 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5106 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £5106 | Year 1 |
| EU | £21900 | Year 1 |
| International | £21900 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website.
Sponsorship information
Applicants may apply for an SWDTP studentship (https://www.swdtp.ac.uk/prospective-students-and-fellows/preparing-to-apply/) and/or a University of Bristol scholarship (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts-law-social-sciences/postgraduate-research/bristol-pg-research-scholarships-alss/). Eligible applicants can also apply for a China Scholarship Council scholarship (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/scholarships/china-scholarship-council/). Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU