Change lives and shape futures with a PhD in Politics.
We provide an inspiring, intellectual atmosphere for postgraduate researchers, giving you opportunities to work collaboratively, receive tailored support throughout your studies and truly make an impact with your research.
As a PhD student you'll be part of a growing and diverse researcher community, giving you access to substantial networks of peer groups and friends. These networks will help stimulate your thinking and give you connections that will stand you in good stead throughout your career.
We invest in the best ideas and brightest minds and you'll receive a comprehensive portfolio of support and training to help you reach your aspirations and develop into an intellectual leader.
Our research areas
Our research covers a range of themes and we have a range of potential supervisors on offer
Explore our research clusters:
- Comparative Public Policy and Institutions
- Global Political Economy
- Manchester Centre for Political Theory
- Democracy and Elections
- Critical Global Politics
You can also find out more our PhD programmes on our course profile:
Funding your research
We offer a number of funding opportunities for talented individuals to undertake doctoral training with us, including School studentships and the President's Doctoral Scholar Award. All successful applicants who apply for their programme before 2 December 2019 are automatically considered for this funding.
In some circumstances departments may consider applications received after the December deadline but providing a complete application is received by Friday 31 January at the very latest.
If you're from the UK or EU you can also apply for funding with the ESRC or EPSRC. Please check these studentship pages for details on deadlines and links to the application form.
Explore current funding opportunities
Developing intellectual leaders
We're not here simply to ‘supervise' – we seek to discover and co-produce new knowledge with students as our partners.
To enable you to integrate and thrive with us, you'll be supported by a dedicated Researcher Development Team throughout your PhD and beyond.
You'll benefit from world-class professional training opportunities:
- Developing Intellectual Leaders Programme – for all the skills you need to succeed
- ProGRess@humanities – our training hub that offers specialist courses
- methods@manchester – an initiative giving you the chance to learn from the very best via talks, workshops and other events.
We provide support for several activities related to your PhD, including:
- Presenting at international conferences
- Attending workshops that provide relevant professional opportunities
- Conducting fieldwork in the UK and overseas
- Exchanges and placements at partnering institutions
You'll also be encouraged to publish in high quality outlets and we have strategies to help you achieve this goal.
Find out more about training and development
Find out more
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