PhD in Politics and International Studies

at University of Warwick

PAIS has a vibrant PhD community, and our doctoral research have a very broad range of research interest. The programme is structured around achieving distinct milestones centred on your progress. In your first year, you will be required to attend the PAIS first-year training module PO961: Doctoral Thesis Writing in Politics and International Studies.

As you progress through the course, you are also expected to attend a series of advanced training workshops throughout the programme. Additional research training and personal and professional development are available through the department, the Graduate School, IT Services, and the Careers and Skills Office.

PAIS has a keen interest in fostering networking between doctoral researchers of all stages as well as between PhD students and staff, and we therefore hold regular social events.
 

Our research

Areas for PhD supervision

By research groups:

• International Political Economy
• International Relations and Security
• Comparative Politics and Democratisation
• Political Theory.

By theme:

• Development
• Gender
• Performance and Politics
• Cyber Security
• Intelligence
• Food Security
• Justice
• US/EU/UK Foreign Policy
• East Asia
• Europe
• Democratisation
• Political Spaces
• Environmental Policy
• North-South Relations
• Ethics
• International Finance
• Global Governance
• Migration
• Terrorism and Counter-terrorism

Minimum requirements

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum degree classification of merit/2:i in a relevant subject area; a strong research proposal; explicit support from potential PAIS supervisor(s).

Read our department specific advice on applyingLink opens in a new window to ensure your application has the best chance for success.

English language requirements
 

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
   

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.