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Politics, Languages and International Studies PhD
Most students complete this programme in 6 to 8 years part-time
Develop as an independent and competent researcher, and gain a greater understanding of research techniques appropriate to your subject area.
Develop as an independent and competent researcher, and gain a greater understanding or research techniques appropriate to your subject area.
Programme structure
Most students complete this programme in 6 to 8 years. You cannot take less than 4 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 8 years.
You can start this programme in September or October.
You may also start mid-year, subject to agreement with your supervisor and the Doctoral College.
Note: the timescales quoted above are based on part-time study at 50% of the full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE).
How long you take to complete the programme will depend on whether you study at 0.5 FTE, 0.6 FTE or 0.8 FTE.
If you study at 0.5 FTE, the minimum period is 4 years and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 8 years.
If you study at 0.6 FTE, the minimum period is 3 years 4 months and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 6 years 8 months.
If you study at 0.8 FTE, the minimum period is 2 years 6 months and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 5 years.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.
Academic milestones
- Induction
- Candidature
- Confirmation
- Research
- Writing up
- Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
- Submission for examination
- Examination (Viva Voce)
- Examiners report
- Final submission of thesis / portfolio
- Graduation
Programme content
Research content
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree provides the opportunity to research a topic in depth and to make a significant contribution to knowledge. You will be required to conduct supervised research at the leading edge of the field and write a substantial thesis.
The PhD programme aims to:
- provide a framework within which you can conduct an original piece of research relating to your interest
- facilitate your training and development as an independent and competent researcher, able to understand and use research techniques appropriate to your subject area and to be conversant with approaches used by other social scientists
- help integrate you within a broader research community in the Department, the University and beyond
- develop a range of skills that are relevant to academia but also beyond
- enable you to think through how you can apply your existing knowledge and skills to different contexts and a variety of problems and to your future research activities.
Professional Development
Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our MyDoctoralDevelopment workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.
Assessment
Assessment methods
- Thesis
- Viva Voce
Assessment description
The final stage of the PhD degree is the oral or viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A strong academic background in a field relevant to the proposed research, specifically:
- A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent), or
- A master鈥檚 degree with a minimum of a merit classification (or equivalent)
Some academic-led research projects may have further requirements which will be stipulated in individual project advertisements.
When considering applications, we also take the following into account: extended and responsible experience in a relevant field in commerce, or industry, or in teaching, or in a government establishment, together with authorship of papers or other work of an acceptable academic standard, e.g. published translation.
English Language requirements
If English isn鈥檛 your first language, you鈥檒l need to meet the minimum English language requirements before you can start your course.
You鈥檒l need to provide us with a valid result in an approved English language test, for example:
- Duolingo: 120 overall with sub scores of Speaking 110, Writing 110, Reading 110, Listening 105
- Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component
- TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken before 21 January 2026): 90 overall with no less than 21 in any element
- TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken after 20 January 2026): 4.5 overall with no less than 4.0 in any component
See the required scores for all the English language tests we accept.
You must have taken your English language qualification within 24 months of your course start date.
If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you might be able to take a鈥�pre-sessional course鈥痶o reach the required level.
You don't normally need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency if:
- you're a UK national
- you're a national of a majority English-speaking country, as recognised by , and you鈥檝e lived and been educated in that country for a significant period
- you hold a degree taught in English awarded within two years of your course start date
References
Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from your most recent place of study.
Fees and funding
Fees and funding information for Politics, Languages and International Studies PhD
Fees
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.
Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all VR成人视频 students. If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.
Extra costs
You will need to budget for living expenses and, if you don鈥檛 already live in Bath, your travel/relocation costs.
The University has developed some resources to help you understand typical costs of living in Bath. Please see the example postgraduate budget or the example budget for an overseas student intending to bring family to Bath.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will also need to budget for visa fees and the Immigration Healthcare surcharge (IHS). See the 鈥業mmigration requirements鈥� section below for more information.
Some PhD projects necessitate payment of a Training Support Fee (sometimes known as a Bench Fee) in addition to tuition fees. Your intended PhD project supervisor will be able to advise if this will apply to your intended PhD project.
Find out more about Training Support Fees (TSF)
To note
Your tuition fees will also depend on whether you study at 50% of the full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE), 60% of the full-time equivalent (0.6 FTE) or 80% of the full-time equivalent (0.8 FTE).
How to pay
Funding options
Find funding for Doctoral research
Payment options
You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.
Application information
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Programme titlePolitics, Languages and International Studies PhD
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Final awardPhD
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Mode of studyPart-time
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Course codeRHPL-APM02
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Department
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LocationVR成人视频
Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY -
Application deadline
3 months prior to the intended start date (for international applicants) or 2 months prior to the intended start date (for home applicants). For example, for an end of September start, the deadline is 30 June (international) and 31 July (home).
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Regulator
Applicant profile
A competitive applicant profile will show:
- Strong academic credentials
- Your readiness to be an independent PhD researcher
- A clear understanding of the proposed research project, its intended methods and its aims
- Alignment between the applicant鈥檚 research interests/experience and the supervisor鈥檚 or department鈥檚 research priorities
Application guidance
You can apply for one of our pre-defined research projects or develop your own proposal. Our academic staff are always open to hear how your research can build on their existing work or about a new topic in their current subject areas.
You must identify at least one (up to two) intended lead supervisor(s) in your application. We cannot consider your application if no supervisor has been named.
To increase your chances of success, we strongly recommend that you contact your intended supervisor(s) ahead of submitting your application to make them aware of your interest and to discuss the intended research project. If you are interested in a pre-defined research project, it is important to check that the project is a good fit for you and that it can be undertaken on a part-time basis. If you intend to apply with your own project idea, you will need to ensure that your research interests are compatible with the expertise of your intended supervisor(s) and that they have capacity to take on new PhD students.
If you are applying with your own project idea (as opposed to applying for a pre-defined/advertised research project), you should submit a 1000-word research proposal with your application. Within your proposal you should explain the knowledge gap you have identified, how you intend to fill it, and it should give an indicative timeline of work for discussion with your potential supervisor.
In all cases, in your personal statement, you will need to tell us why you are interested in pursuing independent research, quote examples of your undergraduate or master's research projects, and explain how a PhD fits with your career plans.
See our guide about how to apply for doctoral study
If you are applying for funding through the ESRC South West Doctoral Training Partnership, you must develop your own project idea and submit a Student Statement Form (Annex A) with your application. See our guidance on applying for ESRC funding for more information.
Selection process
When your application is received, it will be forwarded to your intended supervisor(s). If they are interested in pursuing your application, they will ask the Doctoral Admissions team to review your application. This will include assessing your tuition fee status, checking that your application is complete and confirming that you meet the minimum entry criteria as quoted in the 鈥楨ntry requirements鈥� section above.
The outcome of the Doctoral Admissions team review will be sent to your intended supervisor(s) who will then decide if they wish to invite you to interview. Interviews will typically be conducted online by the prospective supervisor(s) and an independent member of academic staff or the Director of Studies.
If you are applying to one of our funding competitions, there may be further shortlisting and decision stages which will be competition specific.
It is important to remember that PhD places are competitively awarded and your application will be considered as a whole including the quality of all your uploaded documents and your references as well as your ability to meet entry requirements and demonstrate relevant research experience/potential.
Immigration requirements
If you are an international student, you can find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK.
You should note that the part-time Student visa has restrictions which include, but are not limited to, prohibiting you from bringing dependents with you, undertaking any paid or unpaid work in the UK (including placements) or working remotely for an overseas company whilst in the UK. Find out more about the types of Student visa.
For additional support please contact the Student Immigration Service for matters related to student visas and immigration.
Programme enquiries
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