phd politics nottingham

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Politics and International Relations PhD

University of nottingham, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, university information, similar courses at this uni, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

International Relations International Politics

Course type

Research overview

The School of Politics and International Relations has long been respected for the quality of its research and teaching. We have strong links with leading institutions in the UK and overseas and a diverse teaching team and student body. You will study in a dynamic research environment that will allow you to explore the political landscape by focusing on a specialism of your choice.

• research centres and institutes
• two supervisors

We offer supervision in most subject areas within international relations and security, British and comparative politics, and political theory.

• we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

• Graduate immigration route

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

Masters (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, with an average of 63% or above, and 2:1 at undergraduate level (or international equivalent).

The University of Nottingham is a pioneering institution with a long and distinguished heritage in education. It ranks in the top 20 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2024). It is also a research-intensive university and a member of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, making it a superb place to study for a postgraduate qualification. In addition to being one of the world’s top 100... more

International Relations MA

Full time | 12 months | 23-SEP-24

Social Science Research (Political Science and International Relations) MA

Politics and international relations mres.

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University of nottingham: politics and international relations phd, doctor of philosophy - phd, full-time, 3 years.

The School of Politics and International Relations has long been respected for the quality of its research and teaching. We have strong links with leading institutions in the UK and overseas and a diverse teaching team and student body. You will study in a dynamic research environment that will allow you to explore the political landscape by focusing on a specialism of your choice.

You will be encouraged to play an active role in our research centres and institutes as well as the activities of the school.

You will be assigned two supervisors. You must ensure that we have at least one supervisor who has expertise in your proposed area of research before applying and name that person in your application. Ideally, you should contact your proposed supervisor before applying.

We offer supervision in most subject areas within international relations and security, British and comparative politics, and political theory.

**Potential PhD projects**

The School of Politics and International Relations invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates to undertake a PhD in Politics or International Relations.

Successful applicants will join a team of PhD researchers in the School of Politics and International Relations. You can find out more about our staff, their research interests and current doctoral supervision, as well as the pages of individual academics.

Prospective candidates are welcome to outline their own doctoral research topic, but we have identified a number of priority topic areas where we believe a PhD project would be particularly cutting-edge and where we strongly welcome expressions of interest.

You will be encouraged to play an active role in our research centres and institutes as well as the activities of the school.

You will be assigned two supervisors. You must ensure that we have at least one supervisor who has expertise in your proposed area of research before applying and name that person in your application. Ideally, you should contact your proposed supervisor before applying.

Part-Time, 6 years

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• Academic Schools
• Social Sciences
• Social and Political Sciences

Department of Social and Political Sciences

The Department of Social and Political Sciences is home to a range of exciting and contemporary undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Our subject areas are Sociology, Politics, International Relations, and we are expanding our expertise in policy and practice to develop provision in Security Studies and Public Policy.

With proven excellence in both teaching and research, our team of subject specialists offer expert tuition in all core areas of our subjects as well as a range of research-informed specialisms. From global issues to local struggles, urban sociology to international security, our academic team provides engaged teaching and research in comparative politics, sociological theory, area studies, British and European politics as well as in gender, identity, sustainability, consumption and public policy. All students have the opportunity to apply their subject knowledge via our range of innovative practice-based learning opportunities on our core practice modules. In addition, our students develop research methods skills and knowledge via a suite of research methods modules that support and compliment subject specific modules.

We have a thriving post-graduate research community, host regular research seminars and lead the NTU REF submission for Politics and International Studies (C19). The Department is also currently home to  Nottingham Civic Exchange (NCE) – an innovative think tank that connects research expertise across the School with internal and external partners to explore policy debates and to develop and progress practical projects at the local, city and regional level.

Our courses

Politics, international relations and global studies.

Are you fascinated by our changing world? Passionate about current affairs? See yourself working in local government or at the UN? Our internationally recognised research directly feeds into your degree, making sure you’re learning about the latest findings in your field.

Intrigued by the social world in which we live? Our courses will open your mind to a range of issues related to culture and society.

Jonathan Gorry

Head of department, school of social sciences, dr. jane pilcher, associate professor, our research groups and centres, gender research group.

The Gender Research Group's aim is to promote social and democratic inclusion and transformation at global, national and local levels through critical examination of the myriad ways gender matters in shaping people’s identities, experiences and opportunities.

Cities and Community

Driven by a commitment to social justice, members of this group engage in research that seeks to explore and problematise the socio-political phenomena shaping peoples’ lives, with a particular interest in questions of identity and territory broadly construed.

International Security and Sustainability

(In)security as experienced by individuals, societies, states and others is changing. Individual, local, national and international policies taken to promote security, therefore, also need to change. With this in mind, our group investigates innovative and sustainable security policies to inform decision-makers.

Citizenship, Democracy and Transformation

Democracies around the world are undergoing considerable transformation. The Citizenship, Democracy and Transformation group conducts research on urgent questions concerning these transformations, their challenges and opportunities, and the sustainable futures of democracies.

Work Futures Research Group

The rapidly changing world of work remains a major topic of political and scholarly focus, and has been highlighted as an urgent concern across numerous organisations and professional bodies around the world. The Work Futures Research Group builds on and consolidates areas of strength within and beyond the School of Social Sciences at NTU, to address some of the most challenging issues these changes present.

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What are you looking for?

Social and Behavioural Science (Politics, history development and international relations) PhD

• Full-time: 3-4 years
• Part-time: 6-8 years
• Start date: February, April, June and September 2024
• Malaysian fee: RM39,900 per year
• International fee: RM45,900 per year
• Intake: February, April, June and September

Research overview

We offer high-quality doctoral training to postgraduate students who wish to pursue a PhD. As a research student, you will work under a supervisor who will assist you in your research and thesis design. Principal supervisors will normally be members of the school but secondary supervisors may be drawn from other schools in the faculty, from staff in the School of Politics and International Relations in the UK or the Division of International Studies in Ningbo, China.

Why choose this programme?

We provide a dynamic learning environment that offers you the opportunity to challenge yourself, to question assumptions and to contribute to the way we understand, conceptualize and engage with global political phenomena.

How to apply for MPhil/PhD

Only applicants with strong academic records and a proven aptitude for research will be considered. If you are interested in applying, we would recommend that you familiarise yourself with our research areas and staff expertise and then contact us to discuss your research project proposal with the school research director in the first instance – Dr Sumit Mandal.

A final decision will only be made after a full application has been received. Visit our applications pages to find out how to apply.

Course content

Research collaboration is promoted through The University of Nottingham’s Research Priority Groups. Principally with two groups, Integrating Global Society and Science, Technology and Society. Cooperation is also sought through staff and student membership of our sub-discipline, tri-campus research centres:

• Centre for Conflict, Security and Terrorism
• Centre for the Study of Social and Global Justice
• Centre for the Study of European Governance
• University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

A good master’s degree (usually merit or higher) plus, at least a second class honours degree (or international equivalent) in the relevant discipline. Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

If deemed necessary, applicants may also be required to attend an interview.

A first class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

Applicants must have graduated from an approved university. Other equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry requirements in the prospectus and website may not always apply and individual offers may vary.

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than two years old and all IELTS must be the academic version of the test. MUET results are valid for five years from the date of the release of results.

Find out about scholarships, financial assistance and specific research funding available to all malaysian and international students.

Where you will learn

Malaysia campus.

Semenyih Campus is 48km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and just 45 minutes’ drive from the famous city centre with its iconic Petronas Twin Towers. On arrival, you are immersed in the green jungle backdrop that Malaysia provides with wildlife, sunshine and campus lake.

The campus is home to our business, education, science and engineering schools, which sit alongside a sports centre, library and student accommodation. The University has everything a modern day student could wish for with the added bonus of being located in central Asia allowing you to travel further afield in your free time.

Public transport is plentiful with free shuttle services operating on some routes. Taxi/Grab services in Malaysia are very reasonable and used widely by the student community.

The University’s Career Advisory Services (CAS) support students with the necessary skills and career opportunities using its strong relationship with various employers and industries. The CAS will provide students with essential resources and guidance for career choices offering many opportunities to develop the skills needed to plan and manage your future. Our Careers Advisory Service will work with you to improve and maximise your employability skills as well as providing essential resources and guidance that will assist you with job/course applications. They will facilitate searches for appropriate work experience placements and connect you to a wide range of prospective employers and training opportunities.

PhD degrees are in most cases recognized as the capstone of tertiary education. Those who attain these degrees have undergone extensive and personalized supervision in writing a dissertation. In the study of International Relations, Comparative Politics, Development, and History, preparation of the dissertation often involves in-country fieldwork and advanced modes of data collection. The result is an extended piece of original research and hence, a fresh contribution to one’s chosen field of study. This gains the student a special kind of recognition, thus bolstering their prospects in particular career tracks that emphasize research, advanced analysis, and theory building, possibly leading to publication. In Political Science and History, such pathways generally lead to academic careers, but also to high-level positions in government, international institutions, think tanks, and civil society organizations.

This content was last updated on 21 December 2023 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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FellowshipBard

31 fully funded phd programs at university of nottingham, england.

Are you holding Master’s degree and looking for fully funded PhD positions? University of Nottingham, England invites online application for multiple funded PhD Programs / fully funded PhD positions in various research areas.

Candidates interested in fully funded PhD positions can check the details and may apply as soon as possible. Interested and eligible applicants may submit their online application for PhD programs via the University’s Online Application Portal. 

1. Fully Funded PhD Position in NIHR BRC Magnetic Resonance & Precision Imaging

Summary of phd program:.

We are currently seeking high-quality PhD students with a strong interest in clinical translational research to join our imaging theme and undertake research in one of our four research subthemes. We are able to offer three, fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship at the UK home student level (fees and stipend). The scheme is not aimed at clinical applicants as we cannot offer a salaried position, but are happy to discuss options with interested candidates from a clinical background (please contact Professors Rob Dineen or Dorothee Auer ). Successful students will be expected to start their studies from October 2024. 

Application Deadline: 20 March 2024

2. fully funded phd position in safe listening in music venues: scalable technologies for citizen science and knowledge building.

Loud sound has the capacity to excite and injure in equal measure. Through projects such as the World Health Organization’s ‘Make Listening Safe’ initiative, the Audio Engineering Society’s ‘Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance (HeLa) programme, and the Night Time Industries Association’s ‘Listen for Life’ campaign, there is growing awareness of the need for the professional audio industry to take a pro-active approach to protect audience members’ hearing.

Application Deadline: 01 April 2024

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3. 02 Fully Funded PhD Position in NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre – Mental Health and Technology

We are recruiting two PhD candidates to join the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). You will join the vibrant and supportive Mental Health & Technology theme of the NIHR Nottingham BRC and will be based on either University Park or Jubilee Campus at the University of Nottingham. You will also be aligned with MindTech, a health technology research centre in the School of Medicine. The 3-year PhD studentships are funded by the NIHR Nottingham BRC and will provide an annual stipend to cover living costs (£18,622) and will cover Home University tuition fees for the duration of the project (36 months). International students are not eligible to apply for these studentships. 

Application Deadline: 05 April 2024

4. fully funded phd position in pectin supplementation to reduce gut and systemic inflammation and improve liver, muscle and gastrointestinal outcomes.

A quarter of the world’s population has metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, (which used to be known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). It is a major cause of liver damage, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. As it gets worse, scarring in the liver, leaky gut, and inflammation can happen, which can cause muscle loss and wasting. This is called sarcopenia, and it happens when there is systemic inflammation and changes in protein metabolism. It makes people’s health and strength worse overall. Colorectal cancer patients also lose significant amounts of mass and have a high levels of inflammation, both of which are linked to worse long-term health and survival.

Application Deadline: 30 April 2024

5. fully funded phd position in pain increases disability; disability increases pain: understanding the vicious cycle.

Arthritis affects 10 million people in the UK, and is on the rise. Many do not respond adequately to treatment. Pain is the main symptom, a leading cause of disability and worsens the risk of developing other health issues. Reducing pain alone often does not improve disability, and treatments are needed that address both pain and disability. Our research indicates that pain severity and the associated central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction are linked to current and future physical inactivity. They lead to muscle weakness, mass loss and impaired neuromuscular control. Factors related to the CNS may explain the connection between pain and disability. Addressing the shared risk factors could efficiently reduce both. 

6. Fully Funded PhD Position in Elucidating the role of lipids in fibrotic capsule formation at the surface of implanted medical devices

This research project will compare the lipid profile on the surface of removed medical devices (like chest drains, plates, and intraperitoneal tubes) to their fibrotic response during use. Coupled with understanding of the foreign body reaction, this will guide the development of materials, with the aim to create future implant materials that resist capsule formation, reducing long-term inflammation and infection.

7. Fully Funded PhD Position in The Importance of Muscle Stem Cells: Implications for Muscle Repair in Inflammation and Trauma

Skeletal muscle possesses a remarkable capacity for adaptation and repair, processes essential in the maintenance of skeletal muscle health. The ability of skeletal muscle to respond to stimuli such as exercise, injury and trauma, is in part, due to muscle resident stem (satellite) cells (MuSC). The interaction of MuSC with adjacent structures and other cell types, in addition to their exposure to various inflammatory cytokines and growth factors all influence how MuSC behave and respond to different stimuli, like exercise, trauma and injury.

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8. fully funded phd position in controlling clostridioides difficile infections through phage therapy.

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a serious, worldwide, public health threat. The leading infective cause of hospital-acquired and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, every year around half a million new cases of C. difficile infection (CDI) occur in the US and Europe. Management in the US is estimated to cost $6.3 billion per year and over £120 million of additional annual costs to the UK NHS. Although, current antibiotics can treat mild cases, they are less effective at managing recurrent or severe CDI. More worrying, antibiotic-resistant isolates of C. diff are becoming more prevalent. Alternative therapies are urgently required and phage therapy holds considerable promise. 

Application Deadline: 31 March 2024

9. fully funded phd position in functional devices and structures through 3d multi-material printing scale-up.

Inkjet printing allows multiple materials to be 3D-printed simultaneously, rather than sequentially, allowing for highly complex structures and devices. Discovering the interactions of these materials and how to leverage this advanced manufacturing process will open new opportunities: structures and devices with mechanical and chemical properties that vary across dimensions; fully 3D-printed electronics integrated into structural components; and devices with mechanical or electrical responses encoded into their structure. However, we don’t yet know how to design these complex printed parts, and are still developing new leading-edge materials to grant them new capabilities.

Application Deadline: 01 June 2024

10. fully funded phd position in super-optical resolution imaging using a phonon probe microscope.

Imaging and characterising biology is an extremely difficult task. Understanding biological cells as the building blocks of life is fundamental for biology and healthcare. Cells however exhibit very little intrinsic contrast when imaged with light and due to their dimensions, are very difficult to study alive and unperturbed. The short wavelengths (i.e. UV) or fluorescent dyes required to resolve fine features of cells are damaging. Therefore, imaging cell subcomponents at high resolution often requires electron microscopes which can only image dead and dehydrated cells. Alternatively, sound carries less energy than light so short acoustic wavelengths (~300nm) are not damaging to living tissue. 

Application Deadline: 07 June 2024

11. fully funded phd position in cancer cell diagnostics using biomechanics and artificial intelligence.

The prognosis of cancer is an extremely challenging task. Treatments often deliver a different outcome on similar patients. Currently, there is a major global push to develop technologies that allow the inclusion of a larger and wider range of biomarkers. These are key to ensuring treatments are appropriate for patients. One potential biomarker is given by the mechanical properties of cells and tissue, however these remain largely uncharacterised. 

12. Fully Funded PhD Position in High Speed Railway Degradation Modelling

High-speed railway infrastructure is a complex arrangement of systems and structures, which includes: track, switches, drainage, signalling, power supply and communications, in addition to the civil structures comprising earthworks, tunnels, bridges and stations. As the railway is utilised, these assets will wear and their condition will deteriorate. This can mean that they pose an unacceptable risk of accidents occurring, such as derailments or train collisions, or the expenditure to undertake interventions to improve their condition will become excessive. In order to ensure that the railway is both safe and cost effective, it is important that plans are in place to renew the poorly performing elements at the appropriate time. To support the process to decide when renewals will take place, mathematical models are needed to indicate the contribution that the assets make to the safety risk, and also the expected costs of their maintenance.

13. Fully Funded PhD Position in Functional Structural Colour Devices through 3D Printing

Small, repetitive structures with spacings on the nanometre scale can refract and reflect light to create structural colours, which are being explored to produce anti-counterfeit markings, dye-free colour images, humidity and chemical sensors, anti-glare coatings and optical filters. This project will develop additive manufacturing of devices with actively controlled structural colour. You will develop the materials, methods, and designs necessary to 3D-print the next generation of structural colour devices, integrating optically and electronically active materials, including 0D and 2D nanomaterials. 

Application Deadline: 15 September 2024

14. fully funded phd position in functional 3d/4d printing of responsive structures.

3D-printed functional devices interact with their environment, responding to electrical, magnetic, chemical, humidity, temperature, or other signals, including devices that change shape over time, using “4D-printing”. In complex devices, multiple “trigger” stimuli can be encoded, each to its own shape change response; however, these multiple responses are independent of one another. This project will develop new materials and designs for functional 4D-printed devices with fast, self-resetting responses, applicable to biomedical, micromechanical, or optoelectronic applications. The goal will be to build a functional demonstrator device that performs basic comparisons of inputs to select output shape-change responses.

15. Fully Funded PhD Position in 3D-Printed Micro-Robots for Medical Applications

The field of medical therapeutics has valuable applications for mobile devices for efficient drug delivery, called micro-robots. Recently, 3D printing has been used to manufacture such devices with functional features that enabled them to respond to environmental cues, including temperature, pH, light, magnetic fields, and ultrasound. This project will develop the materials, methods, and designs necessary to 3D-print the next generation of medical micro-robots, exploiting combinations of functions to achieve advanced control necessary for complex and customisable micro-robots to provide personalised healthcare solutions.

16. Fully Funded PhD Position in 3D printing next-generation actuators for soft robots and devices

3D-printing of soft robotics is a growing field, with many applications in biomedical devices, electronics, and autonomous machines. Actuators to drive these robots utilise electronic, chemical, pressure, magnetic, or thermal mechanisms, with the current generation having significant drawbacks, including low energy efficiency, high operating voltage or temperature. This project will develop the materials, methods, and designs necessary to 3D-print the next generation of soft-actuators. The overall aim is to develop and exploit new designs or new materials to attain large, fast, high-efficiency actuation responses comparable to living muscles.

17. Fully Funded PhD Position in Computer Science

Applications are invited from Home and International students for up to 10 fully-funded PhD studentships offered by the School of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham, starting on 1st October 2024. The topics for the studentships are open, but your research proposal should relate to the interests of one of the School’s research groups:

• Cyber-physical Health and Assistive Robotics Technologies
• Computational Optimisation and Learning Lab
• Computer Vision Lab
• Cyber Security
• Functional Programming
• Intelligent Modelling and Analysis
• Mixed Reality Lab
• Lab for Uncertainty in Data and Decision Making
• Visualisation and Computer Graphics

The studentships available are fully funded for 3.5 years and include a stipend of (minimum) £18,622 per year and tuition fees.

Application Deadline: 07 April 2024

18. fully funded phd position in computational design of materials for quantum technologies.

Point-defects in semiconductors have the potential for outstanding sensitivity to temperature, electric/magnetic fields and pressure, making them ideal quantum sensors. Utilizing such defects in two-dimensional materials will facilitate close proximity, enhancing sensitivity and enabling practical nano-scale mapping of external stimuli. Furthermore, this unique materials class offers improved tunability via strong structure-property relations. Computational-led materials design presents an expediated route for the development of these platforms for quantum technologies. A toolkit of ab initio techniques will enable tailored design down to the atomic scale.

19. Fully Funded PhD Position in Discovery of enzymes for plastic degradation

Plastic is a valuable material for a wide range of industrial applications. Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most used plastics, is readily available, light weight and durable. However, PE takes thousands of years to degrade in the environment, leading to a high environmental impact. It is therefore vital that plastic is collected and repurposed back in a circular economy. Similarly, current recycling methods (chemical or mechanical) progressively deteriorate the properties of the material, with the plastic eventually reaching a stage where it can no longer be recycled using current methods and must be disposed of.

Application Deadline: 22 May 2024

20. fully funded phd position in leverhulme trust phd project: lawn grass microbial fuel cells for widespread energy.

The University of Nottingham is offering a fully funded 42-month UK-based PhD studentship as part of the Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant, focusing on “Lawn grass microbial fuel cells for widespread energy harvesting.” Supervised by Dr. Michael P. Weir, Dr. Alison Tidy, and Dr. Helena I. Gomes across the School of Physics and Astronomy, the School of Biosciences, and the Faculty of Engineering, the project addresses the pressing need for clean energy sources amidst climate change. The research targets Plant Microbial Fuel Cells (P-MFC) as a sustainable, carbon-negative energy solution, integral in generating clean electricity while supporting plant growth, wastewater remediation, and soil pollutant removal. The successful applicant will engage in growing P-MFCs, creating prototypes, studying variable effects on electrical output and plant/microbial health, and constructing a demonstrator model with an energy harvesting circuit.

21. Fully Funded PhD Position in Carbon dynamics of the Pantanal, the World’s largest wetland

“The Pantanal, Brazil, is the world’s largest wetland ecosystem and a significant carbon sink, and has been proposed a key potential nature-based solution to climate change. It features a range of vegetation types, from woodlands through to lakes, grasslands and pasture for livestock, and is a global biodiversity hotspot, as well as carbon. At the same time, evidence suggests that greenhouse gas emissions from tropical wetlands are increasing, driven by a combination of agricultural expansion and intensification, and climate change impacts. There is therefore a critical need to understand drivers of carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas dynamics, across land use and management regimes, and quantify the future resilience of stored carbon. In this project, you will work to address this challenge.

Application Deadline: 17 May 2024

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How to apply for research courses

Once you've found the right research opportunity, you're ready to apply., these steps will take you through the application process..

• If you are interested in a Taught Masters, please see our guidance here .
• If you are interested in one of our Presessional English courses, see our guidance here .
• If you are hoping to study with us for part of a degree awarded elsewhere, please contact us .

Before you apply

1. investigate research opportunities.

There are a number of ways to begin the process of applying for a research opportunity, depending on which path you decide to take.

Explore routes into research

2. Check academic requirements

Academic requirements vary by programme – check our programme pages for details. Evidence of relevant personal, professional and educational experience may be taken into consideration – contact the academic school directly for further information.

International and EU students can find guidance on alternative qualifications on our country-specific webpages .

English not your first language?

If English isn't your first language, you will also need to meet the relevant English language requirements . IELTS requirements are detailed on our course pages, though we also accept a variety of alternative qualifications.

If you require additional support to develop your language skills, you may be able to attend a presessional course at the Centre for English Language Education .

3. Check key dates and deadlines

Most research programmes start early October. However, there are also start dates at the beginning of December, February, April and July. Check our programme pages or contact the academic school for details.

Specific opportunities, including studentships and doctoral training programmes, usually have their own deadlines, so make sure you check if there is a closing date for the project(s) you are applying for.

International students should apply as early as possible  to ensure you have enough time to apply for your student visa  and submit any documentation as advised by the admissions team.

Funding deadlines

An offer of study is required for many funding opportunities. You should check deadlines for applications carefully, as these are often early in the year. Please apply early and allow time for any fee payments and your application to be processed. If you have a known deadline for funding (e.g. scholarship, sponsorship etc) and haven’t received a decision on your application by 2 weeks of the deadline, we encourage you to make us aware through our online enquiry form .

4. Write a research proposal

Your application will usually include a 1,000 to 3,000-word research proposal. This will be judged on both content and format. However, this depends on the opportunity you are applying for – for example, if you are applying for a specific project such as a studentship, you may not need a proposal. Check the relevant course page for details.

For advice on how to write a research proposal, see our how to guide . You can also contact the relevant academic school directly as they may be able to provide extra information.

Applicants for the MRes Biomolecular Technology do not need to submit a research proposal: please simply enter “Not applicable” in the relevant box.

5. Find a supervisor

Some Schools may require you to contact a potential supervisor before submitting your application. Please check the course page and if required, follow the links provided to find out more about the research areas and supervisors.

6. Submit your application

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Community & Care: Central Elements to Fulfilling PhD Experience

Ricardo Jasso is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Political Science studying International Relations and Comparative Politics. He is interested in studying the force and the instrumentalization of anarchy in power politics. Before joining the University of Minnesota, he was a researcher of international politics at the Diplomatic Academy of Mexico (Instituto Matías Romero) for a couple of years. Ricardo completed his undergraduate degree (“licenciatura”) at El Colegio de México, a research institute specializing in the social sciences and the humanities in his hometown, Mexico City. He studied at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences as a visiting student for one semester. He later earned a master’s in social sciences with a concentration in political science at The University of Chicago.

What has your experience in the program been like?

I’ve had a great and lovely experience in the program. I’ve had the joy of becoming part of a community of amazing, caring, kind, and lovely people who, on top of that, are also brilliant, creative, curious, and always brave. Every day, I feel energized by their spirit, supported by their kindness, and inspired by their minds and their hearts. The program and, crucially, the people that I have met in it have helped me mature as a person and also as a scholar.

What are you currently working on? What do you hope to achieve while in the program?

After two years, I am finishing my coursework and getting ready for the preliminary exams. I am also working on my own research with the idea of starting to publish it in the near future. I presented a paper on the interaction between empire and anarchy and the end of the American invasion of Mexico in 1848 this April in San Francisco. I am also working as a teaching assistant, which is always a challenging but lovely experience, and as a research assistant for a project on exceptionalism in international politics with Professor Ron Krebs.

How are you involved at UMN? How have you been able to find community as a graduate student?

Before joining the program, I was a little afraid from hearing stories of the terrible experiences of loneliness and hostility that people go through during their PhD years. I am very lucky that I have never experienced that during these two years of PhD life; I have been very happy in Minnesota. My colleagues in the program have become dear friends of mine—they have helped and cared for me through the rough patches that life has beyond the academic career. They are always happy to talk about academia, but also about life, and they always remind me that I am part of our community. As my cohort and I have met people inside and outside of the department across these two years at the University, our social circles have broadened, and our community of friends has become bigger.

What experiences and opportunities have you had in the program?

My professors in the department have always been very kind to me and have always cared about my work and my growth as a scholar. My advisor, Professor Nisha Fazal, constantly checks in with me to see how I am doing with school and life, to ask if I need any help, to talk about ideas and projects, and to guide me in this process of doing a PhD. This semester I have had the opportunity to do research with Professor Ron Krebs and learn with him. The department has also been very generous in sponsoring my participation at the  International Studies Association  conference this year in San Francisco to present one of my papers. My time here in the department has simply been great.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you have endured as a graduate student? How have you overcome those challenges?

The biggest challenge for me as a graduate student has been dealing with life beyond academia while being in a very demanding academic and work setting. Life certainly doesn’t stop while you are doing a PhD, and you need to manage to go through the cycles and the eventualities of life while trying to keep your focus and your spirit high to be able to do your best academic work. My family in Mexico, my friends in the department and back home—and also those spread across the world—and my professors have been my greatest help.

What are some of the greatest skills you have learned as a graduate student?

I have realized once more the importance of keeping a daily routine of hard and focused work but also of relaxation and happiness—if we don’t make time for ourselves, we risk becoming little by little less happy, less deep, less interested and interesting, less engaged with life, less ourselves.

How have you evolved as a scholar? What has helped you grow?

I like to think that my time in Minnesota has helped me to think in more complex ways. The vibrant intellectual diversity of the department has made me question ideas that I used to hold as evident and has encouraged me to think in more creative ways about the world. Also, the classes that I have taken and my daily interactions with my colleagues and professors have broadened my knowledge and my perspective on the political and the work of the scholar.

Do you have any advice for prospective and/or current graduate students?

Back home, we say that “family and friends come first”—this would be my advice. The love, the reassurance, and the strength that we find in them—in our community—is what sustains us through the tough times of PhD life and what will remain at the end of those years.

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