International Relations, Politics and History

Entry requirements: 2:1+
Fees for 2023-24 (per academic year): UK: £4,712

International: £20,250
Fees for 2024-25 (per academic year): UK: £4,849

International: £21,500
Fees: Dependent on start date. See below.
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 6 years
Start date: 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, 1 October
Location: Loughborough
Subject area(s): International Relations, Politics and History

Overview

The School of Social Sciences and Humanities at Loughborough is home to International Relations, Politics and History. It is a world-leading centre for research and study into many areas of contemporary politics, international relations and history. Our aim is to stimulate innovative research that has the potential to transform academic and public debates.

We conduct research in contemporary politics and international relations, political theory, early modern and modern history. Most of our research falls between the humanities and the political and social sciences but we also produce a substantial body of interdisciplinary work, notably in the history of ideas, radical movements and activism, in gender politics, international politics and history, security studies, government and governance at both national and international levels, art and politics, religion and politics, media studies and history, and digital humanities.

Our focus on research is reflected in the results of the latest Research Excellence Framework (2014), where we were ranked in the UK top 10 for research intensity.

Our division is a supportive environment for doctoral research, and we foster strong research links between academics and students. You will participate in seminar planning and you will receive tailored advice on professional development, such as finding fellowships and publishing.

Our graduates have secured prestigious positions in academic institutions, including the Wiesenthal Institute in Vienna, Exeter University, Queen’s University in Belfast and University College Dublin. Others have pursued careers in academic publishing, with international and UK-based campaign groups and civil society organisations.

How to apply

100% of research impact rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. REF 2021

Our research

Democracy and its Challenges contains our research groupings in populism, ethics in public life, and anarchism. Researchers analyse the empirical and philosophical challenges facing democratic states including the rise of populism, democratic decline, climate crises, poverty (with colleagues in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy) and political communication and the role of elites in framing and shaping citizens’ perceptions of politics (with colleagues in Communication and Media). Researchers in this theme also explore new directions in the theory and practice of democracy, including the role of interest groups, social movements, and protest movements such as Occupy, Black Lives Matter, and Extinction Rebellion. Their research incorporates both conventional and radical theories of state authority and rights. Our researchers shape the study of anarchist theory and history through their leadership in national and international research networks like BISA, the PSA, and the Anarchist Studies Network. Our Populism Research Group has an international reputation for excellence and methodological innovation in the theory and practice of social movements.

The Centre for Security Studies, established in 2015, brings together colleagues from across the University to investigate human security challenges such as human trafficking and modern slavery; how states remain resilient in a context of political, military and economic change; how communities recover after war, mass killing and terrorist atrocities; and how states and citizens manage the transition from war to peace.
Researchers advise governments on defence, Covid-19 and migration security, shaping policy debates on the national and international stage.

Diplomacy and Global Politics extends our European Studies expertise into emerging areas of intellectual and public concern. It encompasses new work into regional politics, including the theory and practice of future EU/UK relations, the economic impacts of Brexit and, with colleagues in Geography, the practical implications of migration. Recent expansion has enabled additional focus on post-colonial politics and area specialisms,
with researchers now working on the politics and history of Afghanistan, China, Colombia, France, Greece, India, Japan, Russia and the post-Soviet space, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey and the US.

Current opportunities

Most of our current PhD opportunities already have a specified topic and allocated supervisor, but we also encourage you to submit your own proposal.

Browse current PhD opportunities Create your own research proposal

Our researchers

Jordan Pilcher

Doctoral Researcher

"Support within the School of Social Sciences and Humanities is plentiful from help with getting started with your PhD project, to mental health support, to help with funding and how to source funding, and creating a sense of community for PhD students."

Lewis Sage-Passant

Doctoral Researcher

I love the research! Diving into archival records or interviewing study participants has been an amazing experience. You learn so much!

Your development

You will be assigned two supervisors who are international experts in their respective fields, plus an internal reviewer and a Director of Doctoral Programmes. This team provides tailored academic and pastoral support throughout your studies.

The School runs an extensive programme of research training and you will have the chance to participate in and run seminars and discussion groups. These will help you integrate into the School’s academic community and develop skills that will enable you to present your work at national and international conferences. You will be provided with access to a shared office with networked PC and specialist software, allowances for photocopying, conference attendance and interlibrary loans.

Undertaking a PhD will give you the opportunity to develop new and highly sought-after skills, which you can apply to a range of careers in academia, industry and beyond. You will be able to make a novel contribution to knowledge, giving you the chance to become a world expert in your field and opening up opportunities with a range of leading employers. You will also further develop your transferable skills, such as advanced research skills, time and project management, and networking and relationship building.

Our extensive training provision, supported by the Doctoral College, will also enhance your skills and experience as a researcher. These include the Doctoral College’s Café Academiques, Research Conference and Summer Showcase.

Your future career

Recent graduate destinations include:

Trinity College Dublin, Research Assistant
National Citizens Advice, Policy Researcher
Nottingham Trent University, Lecturer
IB School Teacher, Costeas Geitonas IB World School, Greece

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.

Country / region

A 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in a relevant discipline.

Applicants without a postgraduate qualification will be required to complete research training in tandem with their doctoral programme.

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Masters	95%	85%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare (First Level (University) Diploma (from 2010)	9.5	8.5	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence (4 year) / Diplome d'Inginieur d'Etat / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures	16	14	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciatura/ Licenciado (4 year)	8.5	7.5	6.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavri Kochum required but typically a Magistrosi Kochum	90% or 3.9	80% or 3.5	70% or 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Honours degree (AQF level 8)	First Class, 80%	Upper Second, 70%, H2A	Lower Second, 60%, 2B
Ordinary degree - AQF Level 7 pass (mark 46 or 50)	High Distinction (80% or 85%)	Distinction (75% or 80%)	Distinction (70% or 75%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree/ Diplomstudium / Magister degree	A (or 1.5) mit Auszeichnungbestanden	60% or B or 3.0 (or 2)	50% or C or 2.7 (or 3)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavr Diplomu/ Diplomu (Specialist Diploma)	4.5 or 90%	4 or 80%	3.5 or 70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0)	2:2 (GPA 2.5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Bachelor of Science in Engineering (IEB and BAETE accredited courses only)	1st (70%) / 3.5	2nd (60%) / 3.0	2nd (55%) / 2.75
Masters (1-2 years) following a 3 or 4 year degree	80% / 4.0	65% / 3.25	50% / 2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
University of the West Indies, Honours degree	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0)	2:2 (GPA 2.5)
Barbados Community College	1st or GPA 3.75	2:1 or GPA 3.5	2:2 or GPA 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Specialist Diploma (5Yr)	9	7	5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor degree/Licenciaat/Licencie	80% or 17	70% or 14	60% or 12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0)	2:2 (GPA 2.5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Maitrise	18	15 or Bien	12 or Assez Bien

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of the West Indies only	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0)	2:2 (GPA 2.5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
A Licenciado, 4 years Private (public/private)	85/78	75/66	67/55

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani	10	9	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's degree	A or 80%	B or 70%	C or 60%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Brazil - 4 yr Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional	8.5	7.5	6.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Brunei	First	Upper Second (60%/B/3.1)	Lower Second (50%/C/2.7)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 yr Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education)	6	5	4

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Masters or Diplôme d'Études Approfondies or Diplôme Ingénieur (professional title)	18	15/20 (Bien)	12.5/20 (Assez Bien)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 years	80% or B+ or 3.5	70% or B or 3.0	60% or C+ or 2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures de Commerce or Diplome d'Ingenieur or Diplôme d'Ingénieur de Conception or a Maitrise or a 4 year Licence.	1st or 15/20 or GPA 3.7	2:1 or 14/20 or Bien (GPA 3.4)	2:2 or 12.5/20 or Assez Bien (GPA 3.1)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0/Percentage	3.7/85%	3.3/75%	2.7/68%
Out of 9	8	6	5
Out of 12	10	8	6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Grado de Licenciado / Título (Profesional) de [subject area] (4 years)	6	5.5	5

Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme. The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark, as outlined on the table below:

	First class (70%)	Mid 2:1 (65%)	2:1 (60%)	Mid 2:2 (55%)	2:2 (50%)
Shanghai Rank Top 250	83%	79%	75%	73%	70%
Shanghai Rank 251-500	88%	84%	80%	78%	75%
Shanghai Rank 501+	92%	87%	84%	82%	80%

The University will consider students from Affiliated Colleges in the following way:

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities in the top 250 Shanghai rankings will be considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 75%-84%.

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are 251-500 in the Shanghai rankings will be considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 80%-87%.

Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are above 500 in the Shanghai rankings will be considered as follows:

School of Business and Economics: not considered
All other programmes if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 80%-87%.

Applicants from a small number of Chinese universities that specialise in business, management, finance or creative arts will be given special consideration by the University. The full list of these universities and the Shanghai band under which they will be considered can be found below:

University	Chinese name	Considered inband
Beijing Film Academy	北京电影学院	Top 250
Capital University of Physical Education and Sports*	首都体育学院	Top 250
Central Academy of Drama	中央戏剧学院	Top 250
Central Academy for Fine Arts	中央美术学院	Top 250
Central Conservatory of Music	中央音乐学院	Top 250
China Academy of Art	中国美术学院	Top 250
China Conservatory of Music	中国音乐学院	Top 250
Guangzhou Sport University*	广州体育学院	251-500
Harbin University of Finance (Harbin Finance University)	哈尔滨金融学院	251-500
Northwest University of Political Science and Law	西北政法大学	Top 250
Shanghai Customs College	上海海关学院	Top 250
Tianjin Sport University*	天津体育学院	Top 250

‌*Special consideration for programmes in School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and Institute for Sport Business only.

Students who do not meet the above requirements may occasionally be considered if they have a relevant degree, can show good grades in relevant subjects, and/or have substantial relevant work experience.

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	4.5	3.75	3.2

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado	9	8 or 80	7 or 75

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Baccalaureus / Prvostupnik	4.5	3.8	3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4-year Titulo de Licenciado / Licenciatura	5	4	3

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Cyprus	8.5	7.0	6.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalár (after 2001) 6 yr integrated Magistr	1	1.5	2

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 year Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii or Bachelor degree (7 point scale)	12	10	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Licenciado or Título de [subject area]	3.8	Magna Cum Laude or 3.5 or 85%	Cum Laude or 3.2 or 82%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	8.5 / 85%	8 / 80%	7 / 70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Egypt	3.5	3.2	2.8
Universities only	BA 90%, BSc 85%	BA 80%, BSc 75%	BA 65%, BSc 65%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
5 year Licenciado, Título de Ingeniero/Arquitecto	8.5, 85%	7.5, 75% or Muy Bueno	6.5, 65% or Bueno

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalaureusekraad or Magister or Magistrikraad	5 or A	4 or B	3 or C

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's	A/GPA 4.0	A/GPA 3.5	B/GPA 2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kandidaattii/Kandidat or the Maisteri/Magister	3 (out of 3) or 4.5 (out of 5)	2 (out of 3) or 3 (out of 5)	1 (out of 3) or 2.5 (out of 5)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence (3 years)/ Maitrise/ Diplôme d'Ingénieur	14	13	11

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4-year degree (% = new system)	5 (95%)	4.5 (85%)	4 (75%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
German Bachelor/ Diplom, Magister Artium / Zeugnis über den Zweiten Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung	1.5	2.5	3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Ghana	First	Upper second/60%	Lower second/50%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Universities	8.5	7.0	6
TEI and non-University Institutions	8.5	7	6.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from University of West Indies - classification	1st	2:1	2:2
Degree from University of West Indies - grade / percentage	A	B / 75%	C / 55%
Degree from University of West Indies - GPA	3.6	3.0	2.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Liceniado / Titulo de (subject area) - 4years	90% (public university) / 95% (private university)	80% (public university) / 85% (private university)	60% (public university) / 70% (private university)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's	GPA 4	GPA 3.5	3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Título de Licenciado / Grado Académico de Licenciatura (4 year degree) - GPA out of 5	GPA 5 or 90%	GPA 4 or 80%	GPA 3.5 or 70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Alapfokozt or Egyetemi Oklevel / Bachelor	5	4	3

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Baccalaurreatus degree or Kandidatsprof/Candidatus Mag	8.5	7.5	6.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Institutions listed on the National Institutional Ranking Framework	65% (First)	60% (First)	55% (Upper second)
All other Indian institutions	70% (First with distinction)	65% (First)	60% (First)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Sarjana I (S1) from A (or B) accredited Universities	3.3 (3.5)	3.0 (3.3)	2.8 (3.0)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Iran	17	15	13

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Iraq	80%	75%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Republic of Ireland	First (70%)	Upper second (60%)	Lower second (50%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
3 yr Bachelor Degree	90%	80%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma di Laurea	109/110	104/110 (or 27)	100/110 (or 26)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures	16	14 (Bien)	12 (Assez Bien)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ	1st (GPA 3.6)	2:1 (GPA 3.0) or B	2:2 (GPA 2.0) or C

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Japan	85%	80% or B or 3.0	70% or C or 2.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3 or 3.5/5 or 75%	2.8 or 65%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 5.0/percentage scale	4.5 or 90%	4 or 85%	3.5 or 80%
GPA 4.33 scale	3.9	3.7	3.2
GPA 4.0 scale	3.7	3.4	3

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kenya	First / 70% / A	Upper second / 60% / B	Lower second / 50% / C

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kosovo	10	9	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.6	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Latvia	9	7	6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
American	90% (3.5)	80% (3.2)	70% (2.8)
French	18	15	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's	4.0 or 90%	3.5 or 85%	3 or 80%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine	85 (3.6)	75 (3.0)	65 (2.5)
Other bachelor's degree from a university	90 (4.0)	85% (3.6)	75% (3.0)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Lithuania	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Luxembourg	18 (excellent)	16 (tres Bien)	14 (bien)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Macau	1st or GPA 3.7	2:1 or GPA 3.0	2:2 or GPA 2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Magistar Дипломиран / Баццалауреус / Баццалауреа (Bachelor degree)	10	9	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's only	MSc 75%	MSc 70%	MSc 65%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Classification	First Class	2.1	2.2
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Malta	1st (80%)	2:1 (70%)	2:2 (55%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Mauritius	1st or 70%	2:1 or 60%	2:2 or 50%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciatura / Licenciado/ Título (Profesional) de [subject area]	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma de Licenţă (Diploma of Licentiate)	10	9	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma)	90% or 3.5	80% or GPA 3.2	70% or GPA 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma of Completed Undergraduate Studies or Diploma of Professional Undergraduate Studies	10 (or 5.0)	9 (or 4.5)	8 (or 4.0)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État,Diplôme d'Écoles Nationales de Commerce et de Gestion,Licence / Licence d'Études Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle	17	15	13

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Licenciatura	16	14	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
2 year Master's degree	5 or 85%	5 or 75%	4.5 or 65%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Honours degree (post 2008) or Masters	80% or A	70% or B	60% or C

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's (after 3 year bachelor degree)	90% or 3.9 GPA	80% or 3.8 GPA	65% or 3.3 GPA

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Netherlands	8	7	6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Honours degree (480 credits) - Level 8	First (7.0)	Upper Second (6.0)	Lower Second (4.0)
3 Year degree (360 credits) - Level 7	A+ (9.0)	A- (7.0)	B+ (6.0)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciatura (4 year)	90%	80%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
7 point Scale	6	5	4
5 point scale	4.5	3.8	3.5
4 point scale	3.5	3	2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Norway	A	B	C

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year degree only (the higher of the 2 options)	A- or GPA 3.7	B or GPA 3.0	C+ or GPA 2.6
2 or 3 year Bachelor plus Masters	1st (60%) plus GPA 3.7	2nd (55%) plus GPA 3.0	2nd (50%) plus GPA 2.6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor Degree	A / 90% / 3.7	B+ / 85% / 3.3	B / 80% / 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	91 (A)	81 (B)	71 (C)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor (Honours) Degree	1st	2:1	2:2

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	4.5 (85%)	4 (80%)	3.5 (75%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area]	14	13	12

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence (COE)	Summa Cum Laude 4.0 / 96% / 1.0	Magna cum Laude 3.5 / 92% / 1.5	Cum Laude 3.0 / 87%/ 2.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor Degree (post 2003) Magister (pre- 2003)	5	4.5 / 4+	4

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) or Licenciado	18	16	14

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diploma de Licenta/ Diploma de Inginer	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavr/Specialist Diploma/Magistr	4.5	4.0	3.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year bachelor (Hons) degree (480 credits)	1st, 16/20 (80%)	2:1,14/20 (70%)	2:2, 12/20 (60%)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8
GPA 5.0 scale	4.5	3.75	3.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees	16/20 or Tres Bien	14/20 or Bien	12/20 or Assez Bien

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Diplomirani/ Bachelor's degree	9	8	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Honours degree or masters	1st (70%)	2:1 (60% or B)	2:2 (50% or C)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Classification	First	Upper second	Lower second
GPA 4.0 scale	3.7	3.0	2.7
GPA 5.0 scale	4.5	3.5	3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalár (from 2005) Magister / Inzinier	1.5 or B	2.0 or C	2.5 or C/high D

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
University Diplom	9.5	8.5	7

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor (Honours) or B Tech after 4 yrs study	1st or 75%	2:1 or 70%	2:2 or 60%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA out of 4.5	4.0 / A	3.5 / B	3.0 / C+
GPA out of 4.3	4.0 / A	3.0 / B	2.7 / C+

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto	8.5	7	6.5
UCM grading	3.0	2.0	1.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year Professional degree or Bachelor Special or Honours degree	90%, GPA 3.70	80%, GPA 3.30	70%, GPA 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 year degree	1st, 70%, B+	2:1, 66%	mid 2:2, 60%, B

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Kandidatexamen or Magisterexamen	Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 120 credits at VG	B or Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 90 credits at VG	C or Overall grade of G with a minimum of 90 credits at G

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bachelor Degree, Diplom or Lizentiat (10/6/5)	10 / 6 / 1	8 / 5 / 2	6 / 4 / 3

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
State universities 4 years of study	80%	70%	60%
Private universities 4 years of study	90%	80%	70%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Category 1 (4 year degree)	80%	75%	70%
Category 2 (4 year degree)	85%	80%	75%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Диплом специалиста - Specialist Diploma	5	4.5	4

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Tanzania	1st	2:1	2:2

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT	1st or B+ or 70%	2:1 or B or 65%	2:2 or B- or 60%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licence, Maîtrise, Diplôme National d'Ingénieu	16 (tres bien)	14 (bien)	11 (assez bien)

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Lisans Diplomasi or a Műhendis Diplomasi	3.5	3	2.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
4 Yr Bakalavr, Specialist Diploma or Magistr	5	4.5	4

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Uganda	1st or 4.4	2:1 or 3.8	2:2 or 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Dyplom Magistra or a Bachelors degree (11 / 5)	4.5	4.0	3.5

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.0	2.6

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
GPA 4.0 scale	3.5	3.2	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado (4 year)	10	9	8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Bakalavr Diplomi / Diplomi (Specialist Diploma)	90% or GPA 4.5	80% or GPA 4.0	70% or GPA 3.0

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Licenciado/Professional title. (4 year)	18/20 or 8/9	16/20 or 7/9	14/20 or 6/9

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
10-point scale	8.0	7.0	6.0
4-point scale	3.5	3.0	2.8

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
Master's	A or 4.0 or 80%	B+, 3.5 or 70%	B or 3.0 or 60%

	First-class honours (70%)	Upper second-class honours (60%)	Lower second-class honours (50%)
3/4 year degree	1st or 75%	2:1 or 65%	2:2 or 60%

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2023-24 entry

UK fee

£4,712 Full-time degree per annum

International fee

£20,250 Full-time degree per annum

Tuition fees for 2024-25 entry

UK fee

£4,849 Full-time degree per annum

International fee

£21,500 Full-time degree per annum

2023-24 tuition fees are applicable to projects starting in January 2024, April 2024, and July 2024. 2024-25 tuition fees are applicable to projects starting in October 2024, January 2025, April 2025 and July 2025.

Find out more about research degree funding

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

How to apply

If you can't find an advertised project that fits your interests and experience, you can submit a research proposal to the School of Social Sciences and Humanities to find a supervisor who will work with you on your project. You can view our list of academic staff on our website or you can email us for guidance.

Your research proposal should be up to 5,000 words long (at least 5 to 7 double-spaced pages) and you can find details about what should be included in your proposal on the dedicated webpage.

You are strongly recommended to contact us before applying to discuss your topic, availability and funding.

Apply now

Qualification(s) available: PhD

Overview

Our research

Current opportunities

Our researchers

Jordan Pilcher

Doctoral Researcher

Lewis Sage-Passant

Doctoral Researcher

Your development

Your future career

Entry requirements

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2023-24 entry

UK fee

International fee

Tuition fees for 2024-25 entry

UK fee

International fee

How to apply

Contact us

Study

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International Relations, Politics and History

Qualification(s) available: PhD

Overview

Our research

Democracy and its Challenges

Security Studies

Diplomacy and Global Politics

Current opportunities

Our researchers

Jordan Pilcher

Doctoral Researcher

Lewis Sage-Passant

Doctoral Researcher

Your development

Your future career

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for United Kingdom

Afghanistan

Albania

Algeria

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Benin

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Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei

Bulgaria

Burundi

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Chile

China

Affiliated colleges

Universities given special consideration

Colombia

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Estonia

Ethiopia

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Grenada

Guatemala

Guyana

Honduras

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Ireland

Israel