PhD Degree Politics and International Studies

SOAS offers the PhD Degree Politics and International Studies to train students to design, research, and write a successful doctoral thesis. Students develop familiarity with the conceptual and methodological aspects of political research and become qualified as experts in their field.

The programme follows a three-year model with the possibility to extend into a fourth year. It includes research training and coursework in the first year, an upgrade from MPhil to PhD status via an ‘Upgrade Paper’ examined by a viva exam, primary research/fieldwork in the second year, and thesis writing up in the subsequent year. Fieldwork is usually conducted in the second year, and Doctoral Researchers keep regular contact with their supervisors while writing their dissertation.

Modules

• Politics MPhil Methods course (terms one and two)
• an Upgrade Paper Workshop (term two)
• MPhil Research Projects Conference (term three)
• an additional course in quantitative methods (term two)
• Research Project Management (term one)
• Technology-Enhanced Research (term 2)

We normally require a 2.1 bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) plus a Merit-level Masters degree in Political Science or a related discipline. We also require a minimum of one reference. In exceptional cases we may accept applicants who do not meet these criteria if they show evidence of a strong Masters degree and/or appropriate level of relevant work experience. International applicants should also see Doctoral School English language requirements

To be considered for entry into the PhD programme, applicants must possess a good advanced degree in Politics equivalent in level and content to the Department's MSc, although applications from individuals with related degrees in cognate disciplines will also be considered Guidelines for research proposals.

Admission takes place on a rolling basis. The application cycle opens in November and closes on 15 June for entry in September.

• LSE
• University of Cambridge
• University of Birmingham
• Queen Mary University of London
• Lahore University of Management Sciences
• American University in Beirut
• Korea University
• Abu Dhabi University
• Sabanci University
• American University of Sulaymaniyah
• University of Freiburg
• Sciences Po
• Leiden
• Leibniz Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin
• Crisis Management Initiative
• the Open Society