Course summary
The Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) is the UK’s leading centre for interdisciplinary research on public policy in sub-national, urban and local governance We have a vibrant and close-knit international research community of early-career and established researchers. Our engaged scholarship is theoretically-driven, and demonstrates a commitment to methodological pluralism, with particular strengths in qualitative, collaborative and participative approaches. Undertaking a PhD in Public Policy, you will have the opportunity to conduct original research under the guidance of academic supervisors within an active research environment, leading to an 80,000 word thesis. You will take a number of research training modules in your first year and may attend further courses offered by the Department or the University that enhance your personal discipline-specific and transferable skills. INLOGOV is part of the School of Government, one of the leading UK and international centres for governance, politics, international development, and public management. As one of the largest Schools of Government, in the United Kingdom, it is home to more than 80 full-time academic staff, more than 1,200 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, and more than 70 doctoral researchers. The School of Government offers much more than a degree. As a doctoral student here, you have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of research events with staff and other doctoral students, including a PGR Colloquium and departmental speaker series. In addition, an individual training plan is drawn up to meet the needs of each student, covering coursework and skills development. As such, completing this research degree will cultivate specialist knowledge in your field and professional skills for a range of career settings. We are particularly interested in receiving applications on the following themes:
- Governance, institutional design and leadership
- Co-production, democratic and social innovation, and inclusion
- Policy-making, implementation and service delivery
- Smart, sustainable and creative approaches to policy challenges
Assessment method
Research project.
Entry requirements
Applicants for degrees by research should have at least a good Honours degree or equivalent academic qualification. Our normal policy is to register PhD applicants for an MPhil, and transfer them to PhD if their work is of an acceptable standard. If you have registered for the MSc you may, after nine months full-time (18 months part-time), apply to transfer to an MPhil or PhD. You will need to show evidence of satisfactory progress with your thesis, and have provided an acceptable programme of further research. MPhil students may apply to transfer to a PhD by meeting similar conditions.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
For more detailed information on available funding and fees for postgraduate courses please visit: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/fees-and-funding
Sponsorship information
INLOGOV offers occasional teaching assistantships for those enrolled on a full-time research degree; these provide bursaries to cover living costs, payment of the fee and the opportunity to gain additional income through a limited amount of tutorial work.
Provider information
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT