Visit course website

About Politics and International Relations, PhD - at Swansea University

A PhD or MPhil in Politics and International Relations at Swansea enables you to pursue a substantial project led by your own passions and interests.

It represents a highly respected qualification which can present a pathway to a career in academia, or widen your scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector.

The PhD takes three years full-time or six years part-time, and the MPhil takes two years full-time or four years part-time.

You submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words for PhD assessment and 60,000 words for MPhil assessment, demonstrating original research with a significant contribution to the subject area. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva).

Our dynamic research environment is driven by committed staff who are all active researchers with a diverse range of interests and expertise.

We have a wide spread of relevant research expertise which can be divided into the following categories: the empirical study of politics, international relations and development studies, and the history of political thought, political philosophy and political theory.

Our dynamic research environment is driven by committed staff who are all active researchers with a diverse range of interests and expertise through our Research Groups:

• Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO)
• International Studies, Conflict and Security (ISCAS)
• Political Analysis and Government (PAG)

Specific subjects of politics and international relations expertise include, but are not limited to:

• International security and strategic studies
• International politics of space
• Transitional justice and international crimes
• Governance and international development, including aid policy and practice
• Human rights and international development
• US Foreign Policy
• Democratic theory
• Devolution
• Comparative elections
• Public sector reform
• European integration and European Union politics and policy

This programme develops research skills needed for high-level work in any field of politics and international relations and you will be supported by a range of skills and training programmes available on campus.

As a research student, you will be required to attend skills and training courses. You deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at our postgraduate conference.

You may also have the chance to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars from the second year, for which you receive training and payment. Financial support is also provided (subject to approval) for attending conferences or conducting research away from Swansea.

---

Entry requirements

Contact Swansea University to find course entry requirements.

---

Why study at Swansea University

There are many reasons to choose Swansea University for your studies; from the stunning beachfront locations of our Singleton Park and Bay campuses, to our global reputation for research and academic excellence, we offer a safe, supportive and fun environment to live and study, and our vast range of courses and subject areas mean you are sure to find the future career for you.

• Top 30 UK research-led university (Research Excellence Framework 2014-2021)
• Ranked within the Top 300 of universities globally (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• Voted 6th safest city in England and Wales (Complete University Guide 2024)
• UK Top 10 of the People and Planet University League (Times Good University Guide 2025)

Whether you join us for your undergraduate degree, postgraduate studies or research, you’ll receive a modern approach to learning, backed by cutting-edge facilities and an excellent research and teaching faculty.

Join Swansea and start your journey, studying in a picturesque, student-friendly city by the sea with so much to offer.