Politics and International Relations
PhD, MPhil
Politics and International Relations at Leicester offers supervision for the degrees of:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time and part-time
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - full-time and part-time
These degrees are available to study both on campus and by the PhD by distance learning.
Please refer to the How to Apply section below before submitting your application.
Supervision and research areas
We offer PhD and MPhil supervision in Politics and International Relations in areas compatible with the research interests of our academic staff including:
- International Relations and Security Studies
- Political Theory
- Institutions, Participation, Public Opinion, Parties, and Comparative Politics
Interested in a different research area?
It is important that the area you want to work in is broadly compatible with our research interests - otherwise we may not be able to accept your application.
However, please do not feel we will not be interested if there is not an exact match. It is sometimes possible to be flexible, so please contact us.
Entry requirements
You must hold a UK undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree with at least First-Class or Upper Second-Class honours or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution. Applicants are also normally required to hold a Master's degree in a relevant subject.
See academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements.
How to apply
If you have any questions that are not answered below, please feel free to get in touch with Dr Tara McCormack, Postgraduate Research Tutor for Politics and International Relations.
Before you apply, please search our staff research interests.
You might be interested in signing up for our 5 week online course Discovering Your PhD Potential: Writing a Research Proposal. The course is offered through FutureLearn where you can register your interest for the next available course.
Prepare your supporting documents, with your application you need to include proof that you meet the academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements:
- Download and save the Research Proposal Form and prepare your proposal. Complete all sections using the guidance on the form. If your proposal is not submitted on the Proposal Form your application will not be considered.
- CV
- Personal statement explaining your interest in the research, your experience, why it is worth doing and why we should consider you.
- Copies of your Degree Certificates and Marks Transcripts of study already completed and if possible a transcript to-date of any study currently being undertaken.
- If your documents are not in English please include an official translation.
- Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
- Enter contact details for two academic (not personal) referees who can comment on your suitability for the research degree programme in the space provided or upload letters of reference on signed headed paper if already available. Potential PhD supervisors cannot act as referees.
- In the funding section please state how you intend to fund your study
- In the proposal section please provide the name of the supervisors and project title
Submit your application using the Apply Button at the bottom of this page. Please ensure you upload all the required documents and your completed Research Proposal Form, failure to do so may cause a delay in assessing your application.
When to apply
We have intakes in January, April, July and September each year.
You should try to submit your application as far in advance of your preferred start date as possible. If you are an international applicant and require a visa to study in the UK you should submit your application at least 5-6 months before the proposed start date.
After you have submitted your application, it will take a minimum of six weeks for you to receive a decision about your application.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees vary according to your fee status and the mode of study (full-time or part-time). For clarification, please contact pgradmissions@le.ac.uk.
UK campus based
Full-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £4,786
- 2025/26 academic year: To be confirmed in early 2025
Part-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £2,393
- 2025/26 academic year: To be confirmed in early 2025
*UK fees will rise each year of study in line with UKRI rates.
International campus based
Full-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £17,550 - £19,700 per year
- 2025/26 academic year: £17,550 - £19,700 per year
*International fees for research degrees in this subject area vary according to the nature of the research project to be undertaken. The applicable fee will be determined at the point an offer of admission is made and will be stated in the offer letter. International fees are fixed for the duration of study.
Please note that owing to UK visa restrictions, part-time campus-based registration is not normally available to international applicants.
Distance learning
For distance learning study if you are living outside of the UK during your studies you will pay the International fee.
UK distance learning
- For study starting between 1 August 2024 and 1 July 2025: £5,912.50 per year for 4 years (£23,650 total course fee)
- For study starting between 1 August 2025 and 1 July 2026: To be confirmed in early 2025
- For study starting between 1 August 2024 and 1 July 2025: £7,037.50 per year for 4 years (£28,150 total course fee)
- For study starting between 1 August 2025 and 1 July 2026: £14,600 per year for 4 years (£58,400 total course fee)
Distance learning payment options
The fees for the PhD by distance learning are paid over the first four years of study. Fees can be paid using any of these options:- Total course fee paid in full before first registration
- Total course fee split into four annual payments with first annual payment made in full before first registration
- Total course fee split into 12 equal instalments paid spread over years 1-4 of the study. The first instalment to be paid before first registration
- If study extends beyond the 4th year no further fees are required
A payment schedule will be sent with the offer letter.
Duration of study
The maximum registration permitted is four years full-time or seven years part-time campus and part time distance learning.
The typical duration of a full time PhD is 3 - 3.5 years, PhD students may use the fourth year as a 'writing-up' year for which a reduced fee is payable if active research has been completed (currently £100).
Funding
For a list of our available scholarships/studentships, please visit our funded opportunities pages.
PhD description
PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team.
PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The maximum period of registration permitted before thesis submission is 4 years full-time / 7 years part-time or distance learning.
Active research (including all experimental work, laboratory work, field work, and data collection) will typically take 3 to 3.5 years full-time / 6 to 6.5 years part-time or distance learning. On completion of active research students may request approval to register for a writing-up period of up to 12 months.
The thesis should not normally exceed 80,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.
