Course summary
This degree provides an opportunity to conduct advanced research on East Asia in an interdisciplinary school. You will study with internationally renowned Sociology, Politics and International Relations scholars in a dynamic and supportive research environment. Our research activity is focused on South and East Asian societies, culture and politics, including issues relating to security, conflict, peace and violence; ethnicity, migration and citizenship; gender and sexuality; race, colonialism, postcolonialism, and decolonialism; the climate crisis; political economy; political and social inequalities; social, political and international theory; and socio-technical systems and their politics, among others. Our staff also have particular expertise across a range of cultural, political and social theory and champion diverse research methodologies. You will be assigned two PhD supervisors whose current research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen research area. We are committed to rigorous conceptual and empirical research that is politically and socially relevant and problem-oriented. We aim to advance theory, knowledge and methods at the cutting edge of political and sociological research. We produce leading research with an international focus that is relevant to the changing circumstances of an increasingly interconnected world. Our aim is not just to monitor the world but to contribute to a better understanding and to ways that might improve it.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2025/phd-east-asian-studies.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.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £4850 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £4850 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £4850 | Year 1 |
Wales | £4850 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £4850 | Year 1 |
EU | £21300 | Year 1 |
International | £21300 | 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
Sponsorship information
The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships. Applicants may also be interested in applying for funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund or alumni PhD scholarship fund. For more information about funding: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/fssl/current-students/postgraduates/scholarships/ 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