Political and Social Thought
| Award | Attendance | Study | Duration | Start | Domestic fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | On-Campus | Full-time, Part-time | 3 - 6 years | September, January | find out | find out |
About Political and Social Thought, PhD - at University of Kent
Our research programmes provide a combination of formal research training and individual supervision within a supportive environment, with regular interaction between staff and students. For example, the School runs a weekly Graduate Research Training Seminar, where students are encouraged to present their work and receive feedback from peers and staff.
Students enjoy regular meetings with a supervisor and supervisory team, and are also given opportunities to collaborate with other members of staff through the staff research seminar and the activities of the Centre for Critical Thought.
Students are encouraged to participate in the annual postgraduate research conference, during which various staff members discuss the work of research students, and outside speakers offer plenary lectures. Research students will also be able to benefit from the skills training offered by the University's Graduate and Researcher College.
Choosing a topic
Although sometimes we have specific PhD research projects related to funding awards, most of our research students choose their own research topics. Once you have decided on the nature of your project, you should then contact the member of staff in the School whose expertise and interests most closely match your area of research and ask them if they will act as your supervisor. Master's by Research applicants should also follow this procedure.
You then work with your proposed supervisor on refining your research proposal which provides the starting point for your subsequent research.
The breadth of expertise within the School of Politics and International Relations enables us to provide research supervision on a very wide range of topics across the area of Political and Social Thought.
Current projects of students studying in this area include:
- Europe's New Violence: Multiculturalism and the Politics of Externalisation
- Federalism as a Discursive System
- A Critique of Post-Industrial Subjectivity.
Entry requirements
Contact University of Kent to find course entry requirements.
Why study at University of Kent
- In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Kent has been ranked 387th in the world and 50th within the UK
- Kent has been ranked a TOp 50 UK University in the Complete University Guide 2026
- 97% of research at Kent was found to be of international quality in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (an independant national survey of UK universities
- Over 250 clubs and societies including a range of sporting, performance, cultural and faith groups. Share your interests and make lifelong friends around the world.
- Canterbury and Medway is 60 mins from London by high-speed train.
- Multimillion-pound scholarship fund,stunning locations, first-class facilities, and a diverse, inclusive and supportive community
- Dedicated postgraduate graduate and research college that provides extensive support in every part of your study experience – wellbeing, resources, workshops and career preparation.