Politics and Public Policy Research Programmes

Overview

The School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences has a vibrant and multi-disciplinary research environment, which is home to a wide range of research projects that tackle important questions in the social sciences. We have an excellent international reputation for producing high quality research which has global impact. Our work is centred around three key themes: persistent and emerging socio-economic challenges, policy and practice in divided societies, and national global social justice.

If you are interested in pursuing doctoral research in Politics and Public Policy at Ulster University, you can be confident that you’ll be joining a community of committed researchers whose work is internationally recognized, both within academia, third sector organizations and civic society. Their work engages with pressing issues impacting transitional societies and intersects with questions of socio-economic inequities, asymmetries of voice and access to political processes and issues with (de)democratization, peace building and political violence. We aim to cultivate an intellectually rich and stimulating environment to encourage our students to push the boundaries of disciplinary understandings.

Summary

Politics and Public Policy at Ulster University

The entire staff of Politics and International Studies are active researchers whose work is internationally recognized, both within academia, third sector organizations and civic society. Their work engages with pressing issues impacting transitional societies and intersects with questions of socio-economic inequities, asymmetries of voice and access to political processes and issues with (de)democratization, peace building and political violence. We aim to cultivate an intellectually rich and stimulating environment to encourage our students to push the boundaries of disciplinary understandings.

Some of our core areas of interest relate to:

• Identity politics: nationalist studies, gender politics, youth politics
• Memory politics: Commemoration and dealing with the past in societies transitioning from conflict
• Comparative politics: democracy and political parties in Africa, Europe and Latin America
• Political violence and terrorism studies
• Urban politics: political and social impacts of urban planning and regeneration
• Social class, gender and the politics of inequality
• Public Policy and public administration
• Language policy

We welcome interest from prospective PhD candidates in any of these areas.

For more information on the research interests of each staff member in Politics and Public Policy, please visit the Politics and Public Policy page on the website of the Doctoral College. For more information on how to prepare an application, including how to draft a research proposal, please visit our School’s webpage that describes the variety of PhD Opportunities.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study. We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Get additional information for International applicants

English language requirements

In order to be admitted to research study at Ulster, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as part of your application.

Get full details on the requirements for both home and overseas applicants can be found on our English language requirements page.

Careers and opportunities

PhD graduates are recognised by employers to hold valuable transferrable skills, as the nature of the degree trains candidates in creativity, critical inquiry, problem solving, negotiation skills, professionalism and confidence.

The most recent Ulster survey of PhD graduates found that 92% had secured employment within the first year since graduation (HESA Destination of Leavers Survey 2015), and while two thirds end up in the Higher Education or Research sectors, the range of skills acquired equips the remainder for employment in a wide range of contexts.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Details of tuition fees can be found under the fees schedule for the academic year of entry.

To work out for which fees you would be eligible and to find out more information about potential sources of funding, please view the Fees and Funding pages on the Doctoral College website.

Apply

We are delighted that you are considering Ulster University for your research studies.

Get full details on the application process and further guidance on how to apply, and what you will need to upload as part of your application.

Once you have identified supervisors, discussed a research proposal and are ready to make an application, please apply using the online application system.

Ulster University welcomes applications from all sections of the community and from persons with disabilities. It is University policy to assess all applications using academic criteria and on the basis of equality of opportunity and you should be assured that reasonable adjustments will be made should you require them.