Course summary
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies (ICwS) is the only postgraduate academic institution in the UK devoted to the study of the Commonwealth. The Institute has been supervising interdisciplinary doctoral degrees for over half a century. The focus of research degrees has increasingly been on the humanities and cognate social sciences, particularly on the subjects of human rights, globalization and development, politics and Commonwealth history. You'll pursue academic interests in the friendly and supportive environment of the Institute, where your research will be enhanced by the outstanding libraries of the University of London, including the Institute’s own prestigious collection. The Institute offers a unique scholarly environment and you'll be able to draw on the wide-ranging expertise of our staff. Undertaking doctoral research allows you to develop in-depth knowledge, while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. Broadly speaking the focus of research degrees has increasingly been on the humanities and cognate social sciences, particularly on the subjects of human rights, globalization and development, politics, and Commonwealth history. This degree presents the opportunity to gain expertise in your area of interest while also honing a range of transferable skills. On completing this course, you'll be well prepared for specialist career paths both within academia and beyond. The Institute of Commonwealth Studies(Opens in new window) offers doctoral research supervision in the following broad areas: • Human rights • Ecocide, environmental destruction and human rights • Genocide studies • African politics, governance and development • Ethnicity: conflict and accommodation in plural societies • Protection of refugees • Minority and Indigenous rights protection • Dynamics of armed conflict and forced displacement • Twentieth-century British and Commonwealth History • Globalisation, security and conflict • The Commonwealth as an international organisation • British Imperial history, including decolonization • European colonialism in comparative perspective • Post-colonial legacies in the Commonwealth and beyond • Non-governmental public actors, civil society and development • British and Commonwealth intelligence communities Before submitting an application you are advised to contact a member of the Institute's academic staff who has interests in your proposed field of study to discuss your proposal.
Modules
The degree can be taken full time over three years (or a maximum of four) or part time over five years (or a maximum of six), with entry in either October or January. You'll initially be registered for our MPhil and then, providing your progress has been satisfactory, be upgraded to our PhD programme. The primary activity of the PhD programme is the writing of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. There is no formal coursework, but you will be expected to participate in a weekly seminar on Work in Progress and to present a paper every year from your second year onwards. In your first year you are required to attend a weekly class on Techniques of Scholarship. You're also encouraged to participate in the regular seminars held at the Institute during the academic year. After submission of the thesis, you will attend an oral examination conducted by an internal examiner, from the University of London, and an external examiner, normally from another British university. Graduates are awarded a University of London degree. Distance Learning The School of Advanced Study offers students with an appropriate topic and level of local resource the opportunity to undertake a PhD by distance learning. These students are required to attend our London campus at set intervals to complete an intensive research training module, for upgrade, and for the viva but will otherwise study at their own location. This option is available to UK, EU and international students on the same basis as our on-campus PhD programmes (three years full time, six years part time). Fees are the same as for our on-campus PhD programmes. Please note that not all institutes and supervisors offer this option, and that some topics are not appropriate to be studied this way. If you would like to be considered for our Research Degree programme via Distance Learning, please download and fill out the Research Degrees by Distance Learning form from our website, to attach to your online application.
Entry requirements
Applicants for research programmes (MPhil/PhD) are normally required to hold a master’s degree.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
2nd Floor, South Block
Senate House, Malet Street
Camden
WC1E 7HU