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Politics, Languages and International Studies PhD

Most students complete this programme in 4 years full-time

Develop as an independent and competent researcher, and gain a greater understanding of research techniques appropriate to your subject area.

During this course, you will conduct a major piece of independent and original research, following either the traditional or alternative (article-based) thesis route.

This programme is recognised as being part of the following ESRC-funded Political Science & International Studies discipline-specific pathway.

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 4 years. You cannot take less than 2 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 4 years.

You may start this programme at any time. Most students start in September.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

Academic milestones

  1. Induction
  2. Candidature
  3. Confirmation
  4. Research
  5. Writing up
  6. Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
  7. Submission for examination
  8. Examination (Viva Voce)
  9. Examiners report
  10. Final submission of thesis / portfolio
  11. Graduation

Programme content

Learning

  • Doctoral skills online
  • Doctoral skills workshop
  • Research project
  • Supervisory team

Research content

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree provides the opportunity to research a topic in depth and to make a significant contribution to knowledge. You will be required to conduct supervised research at the leading edge of the field and write a substantial thesis.

The PhD programme aims to:

  • provide a framework within which you can conduct an original piece of research relating to your interest
  • facilitate your training and development as an independent and competent researcher, able to understand and use research techniques appropriate to your subject area and to be conversant with approaches used by other social scientists
  • help integrate you within a broader research community in the Department, the University and beyond
  • develop a range of skills that are relevant to academia but also beyond
  • enable you to think through how you can apply your existing knowledge and skills to different contexts and a variety of problems and to your future research activities.

Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our MyDoctoralDevelopment workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Read more about professional development support

Assessment

Assessment methods

  • Thesis
  • Viva Voce

Assessment description

The final stage of the PhD degree is the oral or viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A strong academic background in a field relevant to the proposed research, specifically:

  • A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent), or
  • A master鈥檚 degree with a minimum of a merit classification (or equivalent)

Some academic-led research projects may have further requirements which will be stipulated in individual project advertisements.

  • When considering applications, we also take the following into account: extended and responsible experience in a relevant field in commerce, or industry, or in teaching, or in a government establishment, together with authorship of papers or other work of an acceptable academic standard, e.g. published translation.

English Language requirements

If English isn鈥檛 your first language, you鈥檒l need to meet the minimum English language requirements before you can start your course.

You鈥檒l need to provide us with a valid result in an approved English language test, for example:

  • Duolingo: 120 overall with sub scores of Speaking 110, Writing 110, Reading 110, Listening 105
  • Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken before 21 January 2026): 90 overall with no less than 21 in any element
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken after 20 January 2026): 4.5 overall with no less than 4.0 in any component

See the required scores for all the English language tests we accept.

You must have taken your English language qualification within 24 months of your course start date.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you might be able to take a鈥�pre-sessional course鈥痶o reach the required level.

You don't normally need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency if:

  • you're a UK national
  • you're a national of a majority English-speaking country, as recognised by , and you鈥檝e lived and been educated in that country for a significant period
  • you hold a degree taught in English awarded within two years of your course start date

References

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from your most recent place of study.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Politics, Languages and International Studies PhD

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all 性视界 students. If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

You will need to budget for living expenses and, if you don鈥檛 already live in Bath, your relocation costs.

The University has developed some resources to help you understand typical costs of living in Bath. Please see the example postgraduate budget or the example budget for an overseas student intending to bring family to Bath.

If you require a visa to study in the UK, you will also need to budget for visa fees and the Immigration Healthcare surcharge (IHS).

Some PhD projects necessitate payment of a Training Support Fee (sometimes known as a Bench Fee) in addition to tuition fees. Your intended PhD project supervisor will be able to advise if this will apply to your intended PhD project.

Find out more about Training Support Fees (TSF)

How to pay

Funding options

Find funding for Doctoral research

Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.

Paying your tuition fees

Application information

  • Programme title
    Politics, Languages and International Studies PhD
  • Final award
    PhD
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    RHPL-AFM02
  • Department
  • Location
    性视界
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Application deadline

    3 months prior to the intended start date (for international applicants) or 2 months prior to the intended start date (for home applicants). For example, for an end of September start, the deadline is 30 June (international) and 31 July (home).

  • Regulator

Applicant profile

A competitive applicant profile will show:

  • Strong academic credentials
  • Your readiness to be an independent PhD researcher
  • A clear understanding of the proposed research project, its intended methods and its aims
  • Alignment between the applicant鈥檚 research interests/experience and the supervisor鈥檚 or department鈥檚 research priorities

Application guidance

You can apply for one of our pre-defined research projects or develop your own proposal. Our academic staff are always open to hear how your research can build on their existing work or about a new topic in their current subject areas.

You must identify at least one (up to two) intended lead supervisor(s) in your application. We cannot consider your application if no supervisor has been named.

To increase your chances of success, we strongly recommend that you contact your intended supervisor(s) ahead of submitting your application to make them aware of your interest and to discuss the intended research project. This applies even if you intend to apply in response to an advertised PhD project opportunity. It is especially important if you intend to apply with your own project idea because, in this case, you will need to ensure, firstly, that your research interests are compatible with the expertise of your intended supervisor(s) and, secondly, that they have capacity to take on new PhD students.

If developing your own proposal (as opposed to applying for a pre-defined/advertised research project) the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies recommend that you develop a draft Research Proposal before contacting the prospective supervisor so that this may form the basis for discussing your research project.

See our guide about how to apply for doctoral study

If you are applying for funding through the ESRC South West Doctoral Training Partnership, you must develop your own project idea and submit a Student Statement Form (Annex A) with your application. See our guidance on applying for ESRC funding for more information.

Selection process

When your application is received, it will be forwarded to your intended supervisor(s). If they are interested in pursuing your application, they will ask the Doctoral Admissions team to review your application. This will include assessing your tuition fee status, checking that your application is complete and confirming that you meet the minimum entry criteria as quoted in the 鈥楨ntry requirements鈥� section above.

The outcome of the Doctoral Admissions team review will be sent to your intended supervisor(s) who will then decide if they wish to invite you to interview. Interviews will typically be conducted online by the prospective supervisor(s) and an independent member of academic staff or the Director of Studies.

If you are applying to one of our funding competitions, there may be further shortlisting and decision stages which will be competition specific.

It is important to remember that PhD places are competitively awarded and your application will be considered as a whole including the quality of all your uploaded documents and your references as well as your ability to meet entry requirements and demonstrate relevant research experience/potential.

Immigration requirements

If you are an international student, you can find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK.

For additional support please contact the Student Immigration Service for matters related to student visas and immigration.

Programme enquiries

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