Politics - Research

Research and education in the School are driven by a concern to encourage innovative and critically incisive ways of thinking about a wide range of problems we encounter as citizens and as human beings.



The subjects we research in the School all contribute to the scholarly investigation of these challenges. The School is proud to be part of the driving force in Northern Ireland’s cultural, political and intellectual renaissance.



We pride ourselves on our global outlook within the School. This is reflected in our wide range of international partners and in the diverse nationalities represented across the staff and student bodies. The School hosts international visitors and speakers throughout each academic year and students benefit from the wide range of national and international topics being discussed and researched within the school.



About the Programme

The aim of the programme is to produce students who are fully-fledged independent researchers, and students are from the outset given encouragement to disseminate their work at seminars and conferences and by publishing in high-quality locations. The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation.



The School has a strong international reputation for innovative research, across a wide range of specialist research strengths:



• Political parties, elections, and deliberative democracy

• Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, international political economy, gender studies, governance.

• Contemporary Irish Political History

• International Relations



•Security, Terrorism and International Relations.

•Political Theory: contemporary republicanism, ethics of work, recognition, toleration, freedom of expression, Critical Theory, emotions and politics, green political thought.



In each of these, important and pioneering work has been published by members of staff and major projects of research are ongoing. In addition, the School is committed to the supervision of high-quality research students in all areas.



Scholarships:

NINE DTP – Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership. Please see: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/ for further details.



Northern Bridge DTP – Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership.

Please see: http://www.northernbridge.ac.uk/ for further details



DfE Studentship – Department for the Economy Postgraduate Studentship scheme

Please see: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/department-economy-postgraduate-studentship-scheme for further details.



Further PhD opportunities are available through the LINAS Doctoral Training Programme.

Please see https://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/GRI/mitchell-institute/Study/linas/Projects/ for more details

Entrance requirements

Graduate

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics.



International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.



Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.



To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles at https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/find-a-phd-supervisor/?school=Queen%27s%20Business%20School



You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Introduction

For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175 Development Officer: Aileen Carson will be happy to provide further information on your research area career prospects.

Research information


Associated Research

Contemporary Irish Political History

Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, public opinion, gender studies, governance.

Security, Terrorism and International Relations

Philosophy, with a particular emphasis on metaphysics, philosophy of mind, logic, epistemology, moral and political philosophy

Political Theory, particularly green political thought, post-structuralism, democratic political theory and the politics of recognition.