Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at University of Bath | About the University Department

In the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences we offer PhDs and Professional Doctorates across six departments covering the disciplines of Economics; Education; Health & Wellbeing; Politics, Languages and International Studies; Psychology; Social and Policy Sciences.

92% of Faculty research was classified as 4* or 3* in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, making it "world leading" and "internationally excellent". We also endeavour for our research to engage with and benefit the wider world.

Join a vibrant doctoral community with a research culture that values collaborative supervision while supporting your professional development, ranging from enhancing research and technical skills to policymaker, practitioner and partner engagement.

Each year our Faculty aims to support disciplinary and interdisciplinary funded PhD studentships in humanities and social sciences via schemes such as the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP), the China Scholarship Council (CSC): University of Bath PhD and other University research studentships.

Why study at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences?

Study with a disciplinary or interdisciplinary approach

Join an active and friendly doctoral community

Participate in or engage with research activities in our Faculty Research Centres and groups

Apply for funded pathways and studentships

A number of subjects in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences are ranked in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Sports-Related Subjects (12); Psychology (74); Development Studies (51-100); Social Policy and Administration (51-100)

725

postgraduate students

132nd

in the QS World University Rankings 2026

Bath United Kingdom

main campus

Visit website

About the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences contains six departments, focusing on multiple research areas through research institutes, centres and groups.

Department of Economics

Research themes:

The Governance of Institutions and Systems
Innovation and Productivity
Social Determinants of Health
Sustainable Living

Department of Education

Research interests focus on educational leadership, globalisation, teaching and educational practice, with an aim to impact educational practice and policy both in the UK and internationally.

Department for Health

Research themes:

A fair and vibrant society
Improving human function across a range of sporting, occupational and clinical activities
Lifelong health and wellbeing research

Specialised equipment and technology includes an applied physiology laboratory, applied biomechanics suite, a biochemistry laboratory, diet analysis software, a metabolic research laboratory and a movement analysis suite.

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

Research covers political studies focusing on international politics, political theory, comparative politics, international political economy. PoLIS hosts national and international research projects on:

Counterterrorism
Conflict and Post-conflict
Environmental Politics
Gender Studies
Cyberdiplomacy

Department of Psychology

Research focuses on theoretically informed applied psychology and falls under the following themes:

Cognitive Science
Clinical Psychology
Development and Psychopathology
Health Psychology
Social and Environmental Psychology

Research facilities include a biopsychology suite, crossmodal laboratory, sensory and pain research suite, behaviour observation labs, a virtual reality lab, eye tracking equipment and more.

Department of Social and Policy Sciences

Research themes:

Children, young people and families
Global transformations and insecurity
Governance and policy design
Lifelong health and wellbeing
Work, welfare and poverty
Conflict, migration and humanitarian action
Crime, justice and human rights

View available opportunities at the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

Student life at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

The University of Bath is located in southwest England, in the city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage site, just 90 minutes by train from London. Bath was ranked the 3rd safest university town or city in England and Wales in 2024 by the Complete University Guide.

Our university is home to over 20,000 students, including over 1,600 doctoral students (725 based in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences). As a medium-sized university, our doctoral students are based in departments large enough to have a strong research identity, but small enough for individuals to be able to grow and develop as researchers, with support from supervisors other colleagues and our Doctoral College.

Our vibrant campus offers opportunities for doctoral students to engage in a cross-disciplinary setting through our research institutes, centres and groups, as well as professional development initiatives.

Our Doctoral Development Programme offers workshops and student-led activities, providing opportunities to meet others while developing your research capabilities and transferable skills to support you during your doctorate and beyond.

You can also take part in the annual Doctoral Festival of Ideas, which takes place during Doctoral Research Culture Month. This festival celebrates and enhances our research culture, including sessions like the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and doctoral alumni panel sessions.

Beyond the doctoral student experience, you can also enjoy everything else the campus and city has to offer. Join some of our many clubs and societies, or visit our world-class Sports Training Village, home to over 50 sports.

Frequently asked questions

What funded opportunities are there in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences?

Bath is a member of South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) which offers funded disciplinary and interdisciplinary PhD studentships in humanities and social sciences, funded by the Economics and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Students can apply for a Bath University Research Studentship Award in tandem with the SWDTP competition. Both have application deadlines of 9 January 2026.

The University is also accepting applications for the China Scholarship Council (CSC): University of Bath PhD, supporting Health, Psychology, Economics, Politics, Criminology, International Development, and Public Policy as priorities for humanities and social sciences, and the David Parkin Scholarship. Both have an application deadline of 30 November 2025.

Are funded opportunities available for both home and international students?

Both home and international students may apply for SWDTP and URSA studentships, however international students may be liable for some additional fees such as but not limited to visa applications. Full details regarding the SWDTP Studentship and URSA Studentship are available on our website. Eligible Chinese citizens can consider applying for the China Scholarship Council (CSC): University of Bath PhD and students who are nationals of the Americas (North, Central, South or Caribbean) with a research project in any discipline may be eligible to apply for a David Parkin Scholarship. Both these competitions have a deadline of 30 November 2025.

How will the University of Bath support my professional development?

Our Doctoral Development Programme consists of free workshops, events and other resources are designed to enable you to develop skills that will help you during your doctorate studies and beyond. The programme tackles a diverse range of topics and themes and brings in experts from across the institution to deliver them. Some topics such as research methods and writing masterclasses address academic challenges you may face during your studies, but the programme also provides support in areas like project management, time management and productivity. Find out more about the themes and topics covered by the programme on our website.

What support is available for doctoral students?

You will be supported by your supervisor but can also use our Doctoral Resource Hub, access the Doctoral College’s Coaching Service and for professional development support, you can get involved in the Doctoral Development Programme.

You will also have access to all other student support facilities including the the Student Support Advice Service which is available in person, by phone and online.

What are the fees for PhD and Professional Doctorates in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences?

Our postgraduate research tuition fees for the academic year of 2025/26 are available on our website.