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The PhD Programme in political science

The PhD Programme in political science comprises 240 higher education credits (hec). The goal of the programme is for the doctoral students (PhD students) to acquire and develop the knowledge and skills required to conduct independent research in Political Science and to complete a PhD.

The dissertation comprises 180 hec, and course work comprises 60 hec. Doctoral students (Ph.D.) that are admitted to the programme are employed at the Department. The Ph.D. Programme is governed by the Higher Education Ordinance, The University’s and the Faculty’s rules and regulations for third-cycle studies, and the General Syllabus.

Doctoral position

Our Ph.D. students are generally employed for four years. Up to 20 percent of doctoral employment can consist of departmental duties, and the employment is extended with the corresponding amount of time. This means that the total time of employment can be a maximum of five years. Periods of sick leave, parental leave, leave of absence and certain representative duties are exempt from the five-year maximum.

The doctoral salaries are fixed by local agreements at the University of Gothenburg and negotiated with union representatives.

For 2022/23, the starting salary is 28 050 SEK. The doctoral salary increases once the Ph.D. student completes 50, 80, and 100 percent of the Ph.D. programme. The maximum salary (after Ph.D. defense) is currently 34 500 SEK.

Ph.D. students at the University of Gothenburg are state employees and are thus entitled to several benefits and insurances. Read more about b enefits and insurances at the University of Gothenburg .

Supervision

Each Ph.D. student is assigned a main supervisor and an assistant supervisor. Supervisors are appointed in consultation between the Ph.D. student and the Director of Doctoral Studies. Prospective Ph.D. students do not need to contact potential supervisors before applying to the programme.

The dissertation

The dissertation can be written in the form of a compilation, which means several articles and/or papers preceded by an introductory chapter (“kappa”), or as a monograph (i.e. a cohesive book).

Ph.D. students are expected to present their work on several occasions during the Ph.D. Programme:

At the end of the first year of the programme, the Department organizes a prospectus presentation seminar, at which the first-year Ph.D. students present the first draft of their dissertation to the entire Department, and receive questions and feedback from discussants.

When a Ph.D. student has completed around 50 percent of the programme, they present a paper or chapter or their dissertation at one of the Department’s seminar series.

When a Ph.D. student has completed around 80 percent of the programme, they present two chapters (for monographs), or one paper and the introductory chapter (for compilations) of their dissertation at the Department’s General Research Seminar. Finally, Ph.D. students defend their dissertation at a public Ph.D. defense, where the dissertation is discussed with an opponent, and a grading committee decides whether it will receive a ”pass”.

International networks and contacts

The Ph.D. Programme offers great opportunities for establishing international contacts. For example, doctoral students can participate in research conferences and might also participate in research work at universities abroad.

Future careers

A doctorate in political science can lead to a research career within or outside academia, teaching at different levels within universities, or a career such as a social analyst in the public sector or in politics.

What is it like being a doctoral student?

Political Science MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

UCL's PhD programme in political science is one of the most competitive in Europe. Small cohorts receive extensive training to prepare for senior positions in research, teaching, or applied for work in government, international organisations, private firms, and the third sector.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

• Entry requirements

The minimum academic requirements are an upper second-class Honours degree (or equivalent) and merit (or equivalent) in a recognised Master’s degree programme and a minimum 65% mark on the Master’s degree dissertation. At least one of the three has to be a first class/distinction (or equivalent). Students applying for the 1+3 without a Master’s degree will need to have a first-class Honours degree (or equivalent).

The English language level for this programme is: Level 5

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The department welcomes research in all the major sub-fields of political science. This includes international relations, comparative politics, political economy, public policy and management, legal and political theory.

Who this course is for

Students who wish to pursue independent research as part of a close-knit academic community.

What this course will give you

Political science is a discipline with fast moving frontiers and a wide range of increasingly sophisticated theoretical and methodological approaches. To make our students competitive in the job market, our programme, therefore, offers one of the most comprehensive training sequences in the UK. 

PhD students are an integral part of the department's research community through participation in departmental research seminars, research clusters, joint teaching, and co-authoring. 

All students have a three-person supervisory team providing a breadth of inputs from different sub-disciplines and methodological approaches. 

UCL is a world-leading institution, ranked eighth best university globally in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Almost all of the department's research activity was rated as ‘internationally excellent’, and more than half of it received the highest grading of ‘world-leading’ in the Research Excellence Framework 2021, recognising the quality and impact of our research.

The foundation of your career

Our former PhD students have moved on to Assistant Professor/Lecturer and Post-doctoral fellowship positions in leading universities in the UK, Europe, and the USA (e.g. ETH-Zurich, Stanford University, University of Birmingham, University of Manchester, Bocconi University).

Employability

Our research students have entered a wide range of careers including leading academic positions, international organisations, private sector, third sector, and government.

Our graduate students attend and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences within the department and within interdisciplinary research centres across UCL, providing opportunities to network with leading academics across a variety of research fields.

Teaching and learning

Most of the three or four years during which you are studying for your PhD will be spent engaging in independent research in consultation with your supervisor. Regular meetings with this supervisor will inform the structure and timescale of your research. Your work and these meetings will be recorded in a compulsory research log, which allows you and the department to be sure that you are making appropriate progress.

As a PhD student, you are invited to attend Research Training Seminars. These seminars offer skills training and host research presentations from students in the later years of the programme; they are compulsory for you to attend until your upgrade. Many students later in the PhD process will continue to attend relevant sessions.

Training sequence for  empirical  stream:

• PhD Research Seminar (required all years)
• PhD Research Design Seminar (required Year 1)
• Introduction to Quant Methods (required Year 1)*
• Advanced Quant Methods (required Year 1)*
• One Qual Methods seminar (required Year 1)
• Topics in Political Science (required Year 1, 2, or 3)
• Departmental Research Seminar (expected all years)
• Research Cluster Seminar (expected all years)
• Additional relevant training (expected Years 2 and 3)

Training sequence for  theory  stream:

• Political Theory Seminar (required all years)
• Topics in Political Science (required Year 1 or 2)

* Students arriving with previous training in quantitative methods will follow courses at more advanced levels. 

The PhD is examined by a viva committee comprising of two experts in the field, an external examiner and an internal examiner who is normally from the University College London. Your supervisor nominates suitable examiners during your final year, in consultation with you, and the nominations are scrutinised by UCL’s examinations office who may approve or reject them. The viva exam is a meeting in which the examiners and yourself discuss your work, both through direct questions and more informal conversation, and it normally takes two or more hours.

Most of the three or four years during which you are studying for your PhD will be spent engaging in independent research in consultation with your supervisor. Regular meetings with this supervisor will inform the structure and timescale of your research.

Research areas and structure

Academic staff have a strong record of research and publication within all the main subfields of politics, including:

• British politics : constitutional and parliamentary reform; devolution; electoral participation; alternative electoral systems.
• Comparative politics and government : democratisation; the politics of ethnicity; political campaigns and electoral behaviour; comparative urban, rural, and local politics; public opinion.
• EU politics and public policy : decision-making and institutions; regulation and delegation; lobbying; constitutionalism; citizenship and democracy.
• Human rights : human rights and globalisation; theories of human rights and justice; adjudication and interpretation; democracy, religion and human rights; global poverty and human rights; militias, non-state actors.
• International relations : international peace and security; globalisation and global governance; international migration; international finance; international trade and investment.
• Political economy : distributive politics in welfare states; political economy of development. 
• Public policy : business-government relations; executive and bureaucratic politics; public ethics.
• Political theory : the history of modern political thought; multiculturalism, toleration and citizenship; democracy and constitutionalism; contemporary political philosophy.

Research environment

The PhD programme in political science combines rigorous substantive and methodological training with independent research. Compared with similar PhD programmes in Europe, the programme has a particular emphasis on methods training. In addition, the department has a vibrant research environment centred around a series of seminars and institutes. Every week you will join academic staff members at the departmental research seminar as well as cluster seminars in specific research areas such as “Comparative Political Economy” and “Conflict & Change”. These seminars will complement your formal training by allowing you to comment on and learn about the research of internal and external presenters. PhD students at our department also have their own research seminar in which they present their work and receive feedback from both faculty and the other PhD students.  . Finally, the department also hosts speaker series through the Policy & Practice seminar series, the Constitution Unit and the Global Governance Institute. 

The length of registration for the research degree programme is 3 years with a typical one-year extension.

You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 9-18  months after initial registration.   Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration, you may register as a completing research student (CRS) while you write up your thesis.

In your first year, you will take non-credit bearing core modules that contribute to the research methods sequence. For students undertaking empirical political science research, the core modules are one qualitative methods course and Introduction to Quantitative Methods as well as  Advanced Quantitative Methods (depending on prior statistical training). Students are also expected to take an additional quantitative course in their second year. Students undertaking research in political theory take the political theory methods seminar. In addition, students attend a general research design course that is only open to first year political science PhDs and is co-taught by two members of the faculty. 

You will be required to complete two pieces of assessed work during the first year: one focusing on the existing theoretical literature in your area of study and the other on the methodological approach you plan to adopt in your project.

In years 2,3, and 4 you will continue writing your thesis. You are encouraged to present completed research at internal and external seminars and conferences, with the funding often provided by the department or other funding bodies. You may also take additional, non-credit bearing modules and courses where appropriate (e.g. ESRC Summer School, modules offered by other departments). Progress is monitored through a combination of supervisory meetings and presentations at the PhD Research Seminar. 

After three years, you may apply for additional 12 months (full time) to finish writing up your thesis. During this period, you will be registered as Completing Research Status (CRS). There are no student fees for CRS but you will continue to have full access to UCL facilities and services during this time. 

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

The department offers fully funded 4-year scholarships together with AHRC and ESRC Scholarships. For details on eligibility and application process, please refer to our  departmental website .

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Clara Collet Political Science PhD Award

Deadline: 08 December 2023 Value: Full fees plus stipend (Duration) Criteria Based on academic merit Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship (ROS)

Deadline: 12 January 2024 Value: UK rate fees, a maintenance stipend, conference costs and professional development package (3 years) Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need Eligibility: UK

Deadlines and start dates are dictated by funding arrangements, which are subject to change, so check with the department to see if you need to consider these in your application preparation.

Note that you must identify and contact potential supervisors before making your application.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Political Science

[email protected]

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Aarhus BSS School of Business and Social Sciences Aarhus University

Do a phd in  political science.

The PhD Programme in Political Science is part of Aarhus BSS – the largest university unit within business and social sciences in Denmark. 250 PhD students are part of Aarhus BSS' PhD programmes, and each year approx. 60 new students are enrolled. Besides the programme in Political Science, there are 6 other field programmes to chose from.

About the Department of Political Science

The PhD programme in Political Science is located at Campus Aarhus and is hosted by one of the largest political science departments in Europe with around 100 faculty members and 50 PhD students. The department is an internationally highly recognized department with a wide variety of contacts to other political science departments around the world. 

Good research environment The department offers a lively and ambitious research and teaching environment. PhD students from the department have several times won international prices for their dissertations. Recent examples include:

Kristina Bakkær Simonsen: Maria Ioannis Baganha Dissertation Award, IMISCOE, 2019 Roman Senninger:  EUSA Best Dissertation Award, 2019 Martin Bisgaard: APSA, section on political psychology, best dissertation award 2017

Do you have an extraordinary idea? The originality and feasibility of the research proposal submitted with the application play a central role in the decision of which students to admit to the programme.  

Research areas

• Comparative politics
• International relations
• Public administration and management
• Public policy
• Political sociology
• Political theory
• Political behaviour

The department welcomes any project within political science, regardless of whether it fits existing research within in the department.    

Why choose Aarhus?

"As a PhD student I Aarhus, I experience much freedom in shaping and carrying out my research. My impression is that supervisors here, mine included, are both supportive, great at sparring, and generally very engaged in the PhD students’ learning and well-being. Moreover, we are many PhD students at the department, and our PhD group provides us with a space for academic discussions and, maybe even more important, a space for informal talks, lunch and coffee partners, and social events."  

PhD student Ane Edslev Jacobsen, Denmark

"There are many things that make Aarhus a great place to do a PhD in political science: close and frequent supervision from two supervisors, several opportunities to get feedback from both fellow PhD students and senior staff, a fully-funded semester abroad, the possibility to conduct surveys and experiments, an office shared with another PhD student, and social activities organised by the PhD group."

PhD student Edoardo Alberto Viganò, Italy

"The experience you gain as a PhD student at the Department of Political Science in Aarhus is incomparable. You have the opportunity to conduct your own research and learn how to become an independent researcher. Throughout this process, you are closely supervised and strongly supported by your colleagues. Apart from being outstanding academically, the department is also exceptionally social. Being part of a big PhD group comes with many social activities both inside and outside the university. This is a great way to build good relationships with your colleagues and provides an opportunity to make new friends. Aarhus is therefore a great place to grow both academically and personally, and I would choose to do a PhD at the department again anytime"

PhD student Lea Pradella, Germany

Please contact us with your questions

Head of phd programme.

Lasse   Lindekilde

Phd secretary.

Olivia Elsebeth   Belling-Nami

Phd/hrm consultant.

Randi Groslier   Bjælde

UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE

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Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences Department of Political Science and European Affairs

Doctoral studies.

• Schools & departments

Politics PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Politics

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

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Research profile

Approximately 60 members of PIR academic staff enjoy international reputations for their research and have won numerous teaching, research and advising awards. Their scholarship covers a diverse range of research areas on Scotland, Europe, and the world, and is published in highly-rated journals and books.

The department has a strong tradition of advising, informing and debating policy with key decision-makers at Scottish, UK, European and international levels, and has a notable concentration of political theorists.

Research in Politics and International Relations explores the theory, practice and ethics of politics and governance.

We cover a broad area of expertise, from local policy to global governance, political theory to empirical studies, constructivism to rational choice approaches.

Our Politics & International Relations group has close links with cross-disciplinary and internationally recognised research centres.

Major research focuses include:

• sub-state and supranational dimensions of politics and public policy
• the impact of devolution in the UK and elsewhere, and the constitution and governance of the European Union
• international politics: changing relations, the new security agenda, transatlantic relations, political economy, migration politics and global governance
• nationalism, democratic transition, civil society and institution-building
• health, welfare, environment, competition, migrations and citizenship, and equal opportunities policies
• political theory, especially war ethics, environmental ethics and theories of freedom

Programme structure

The degree is based on three to four years of full-time research. Each student follows an individual training programme designed with their supervisor and the Postgraduate Adviser. This programme is reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

In the first year, you will acquire a wide range of research skills and formulate their research question and related design, under the guidance of their supervisors. At the end of their course of study you will submit a thesis and will be assessed in an oral examination (viva voce) by two examiners (usually one internal to the University, the other external).

The thesis is a long piece of research on a topic of your particular interest and makes an original contribution to the field of politics and international relations.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

You will follow a programme of research training, drawn from the MSc by Research courses coordinated by the School of Social and Political Science and Politics and International Relations-specific training.

The programme equips you with professional training to a high standard. After graduating you can expect to be a strong candidate for careers in a wide variety of contexts, including academia, the media, the private sector and a diverse array of public services. Nearly everyone needs good researchers!

Politics and International Relations helps you gain a range of transferable skills above and beyond those required by their specific projects, such as:

• organising seminars and conferences
• learning how to apply for research jobs in and out of academia
• learning how to deliver professional seminar presentations

Postgraduate researchers also have access to the University and College-wide programme of training in transferable skills and other aspects of professional development, such as specialist careers advice.

Research library and archive facilities in Edinburgh are outstanding.

You will be a member of the Graduate School of Social & Political Science, with full access to the Graduate School’s facilities in the Chrystal Macmillan Building.

Other library and archive facilities include the University’s Main Library, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Records Office. Proximity to the Scottish Parliament and other institutions of national government provides further research opportunities.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, and a UK masters degree with an overall mark of 65% or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Application fee.

This programme requires a non-refundable application fee.

Your application will not be processed until we have received your application fee.

• Application fee information

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

School of Social and Political Science Scholarships

UK Research Council Awards

For specialised guidance on submitting a competitive scholarship application, please follow the requirements and recommendations and how to contact relevant academic staff as advised here:

• Important information and recommendations

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Admissions Team
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
• Contact: [email protected]
• Programme Advisor, Dr Sarah Liu
• Contact: [email protected]
• Graduate School of Social & Political Science
• Chrystal Macmillan Building
• 15A George Square
• Central Campus
• Programme: Politics
• School: Social & Political Science
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Politics - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd politics - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You must submit a research proposal demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research, which will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision-making process. We request that PhD research proposals are no more than four A4 typed pages in Times New Roman, 12pt font. This includes charts and figures but does not include references or a bibliography.

We require PhD applicants in particular to contact potential supervisors before applying to discuss their research proposal so we can ensure there is adequate supervision.

A non-refundable application fee of £50 must be paid after you submit your application. Your application will not be processed until we have received your application fee.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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MRes/PhD Political Science

• Graduate research
• Department of Government
• Application code M1ZN
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Closed
• Overseas full-time: Closed
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the field of political science. You will begin on the MRes, and will need to meet certain requirements to progress to the PhD.

The Department of Government at LSE is one of the largest political science departments in the UK and covers almost all areas of politics. We offer a comprehensive range of academic approaches, from political theory, political economy, rational choice theory, public policy, nationalism, conflict studies, and comparative government to the history of institutions and policy. Many faculty members have particular regional expertise on Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and/or Latin America. 

The MRes/PhD Political Science provides world-leading methods training, participation in a lively and open research culture, and the opportunity to be part of one of the best departments in political science and political studies in the world. You will join a small and highly selective entering class, of about 6-10 students, from a wide range of universities around the world. Together you will embark on the MRes portion of the programme, which is a structured route to the PhD.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mres/phd political science.

First class or very good upper second class honours degree (normally 65+) and a taught master's degree (or equivalent) in political science or a closely related discipline (such as sociology, economics or history).

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

For the MRes/PhD Political Science, your research prospoal should be about 2000 words. Your sample of written work should be either a degree essay of between 3000 and 5000 words, or a 3000-5000 word extract from a longer piece of work such as a dissertation.

See requirements for the samples of written work  

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - personal statement - references - CV - research proposal - sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2024 . This is also the deadline to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme.  The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MRes/PhD Political Science

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding (pending bid outcome). Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.  

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding (pending bid outcome): 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.   Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page. 

Programme structure and courses

First year (mres).

In the first year, you will take a series of courses and prepare a Research Prospectus. You will be trained in research design and research methods and also take courses from a broad range of graduate specialisms in our Department and across LSE. 

You will study with acknowledged leaders in their fields and learn what political scientists know (and don’t know), what the key debates have been and where the discipline is going. 

Research Design in the Social Sciences Turns good research questions into systematic projects that deliver interesting and worthwhile results.

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of quantitative, qualitative or political theory research methods topics

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options within the Department of Government

Research Prospectus in Political Science A research paper, not to exceed 10,000 words, related to the student's designated major field.

Subject to satisfactory performance, you will be upgraded to the PhD programme and will implement your research plan, for example through fieldwork, data collection and analysis, theoretical work, or a combination of several approaches. You will participate and present your work in doctoral workshops with faculty and fellow researchers (at least one each year), and you will start to attend and present papers at international conferences.

You will also be invited to apply to help teach undergraduate courses in the Department. In your second year, you have the option of taking Political Economy (permission to attend is at the discretion of the course convenor.)

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision .

You will be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

At the end of the first year you will complete the assessments for your courses and finalise your Research Prospectus, the provisional research plan for your PhD. You will defend the Prospectus at a committee of relevant faculty in September at the end the first year. If you meet the assessment requirements and successfully defend the Prospectus you will be upgraded to the PhD part of the programme.

Your final award of the PhD will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

More about progression requirements.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

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Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

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Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

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LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

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Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Government

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £34,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Health and Social Care  
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Information, Digital Technology and Data            
• Consultancy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Recent graduates have also gone on to careers in investment banking, auditing, consultancy and public sector and government.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

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Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

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Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

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Related programmes, mphil/phd international relations.

Code(s) M1ZR

MRes/PhD International Development

Code(s) Y2ZI

MPhil/PhD Sociology

Code(s) L3ZS

MPhil/PhD European Studies

Code(s) M1ZE

MPhil/PhD International History

Code(s) V1ZH

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Department of Political Science

• PhD Programme

PhD Planner

Phd statute, contact the phd administration, for phd students, supervisors and administrators.

Information for enrolled PhD students, supervisors and administrators via the UCPH Intranet (KUnet).

For applicants

PhD scholarships at the Department of Political Science are advertised once a year with a closing date for applications around the 1 st of March.

Awarded PhD degrees by year (the list is only available in Danish)

The PhD programme is a three-year research program, financed or partly financed by external funds or by the Department.

The PhD programme qualifies the student to independently carry out research, development and teaching assignments at an international level within the discipline of political science.

If you wish to apply for a PhD scholarship, at the Department of Political Science, please read more about the program on the pages below:

Teaching and publications

Information about teaching activities and publications, which are important aspects of a PhD course

Internal seminars

Four times a year our students have to participate in internal seminars based on presentations of papers

Supervision

An important part of the PhD programme is the individual supervision

PhD courses

Read about our courses in general, course dates, registration and payment

Find guidance on how to apply for funding/subsidies for fieldwork and research stays

Studying abroad

What to think about when planning a study tour abroad in connection with a PhD

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Information about PhD Projects at the Institute

Doctoral Projects at the Chairs and Professorships of the Institute

• Doctoral projects at the Chair I (Prof. Dr. Roland Sturm)
• Completed doctoral projects at the Chair I (Prof. Dr. Roland Sturm)
• Doctoral projects at the Chair II (Prof. Dr. Clemens Kaufmann)
• Doctoral projects at the Chair for Middle East Politics and Society (Prof. Dr. Thomas Demmelhuber)

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PhD in Political and Social Sciences

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 Curriculum 1: Political Science

• Political Theory
• Authoritarian Regimes
• Democratic Regimes
• Democratic Transitions
• Electoral Politics
• Parties and Party Systems
• Political Participation
• Political Culture
• Comparative Political Institutions
• EU Institutions and Policies
• Public Policy

Curriculum 2:  International Studies

• International Political Economy
• International Security
• Strategic Studies
• War and Politics
• Cooperation and Conflict in the International Arena
• International Organizations
• Technological Innovation and International Relations
• Theories of International Relations
• Eastern Europe

Curriculum 3:  Sociology

• Sociology of Culture; - Communication
• Trust and Social Capital
• Social Media
• Digital Society
• Immigration
• Religion and Society
• Sociology of Labour

Daniela Giannetti

Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche e Sociali - SPS

Strada Maggiore 45 Bologna (BO)

[email protected]

+39 051 234036

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• AMS phD thesis (in Italian) Published

Department of Political Science

Phd studies.

The Department of Political Science at Stockholm University offers a graduate programme leading to the Swedish degree of 'filosofie doktor' (PhD).

The studies of students accepted to the programme are fully financed by the Department (external financing by e.g. a research institute is also possible). Only Ph.D. students that are fully financed by either the department or a research institute or the like can be accepted to the programme.

Aim of the programme

The aim of the doctoral programme in political science is to give the student specialised knowledge within the subject field, a thorough training in research methods and a good understanding of the problems occurring in the research and the practical application.

The programme should familiarise the student with different structures of society and ideas, and give a broad orientation of the research development within the subject, with the purpose of making the student a critical and independent researcher with the ability to plan and develop scientific reports. Furthermore, the aim of the program is to make the student suited, in the capacity of a researcher, teacher and expert, to complete such tasks in society where sound knowledge of political science is of value.

Description of the programme

The Swedish doctoral programme, similar to the US Ph.D. system, is designed to take four years of full-time study. In terms of the Swedish university credit system, the program comprises 240 credits (1.5 credit = 1 week of study, 30 credits = 1 term of full-time study).

There are two main blocs in the programme: course work (75 credits, of which some courses are obligatory and some are selected in consultation with the supervisor) and work in connection with the Ph.D. dissertation, including research, writing and seminars (165 credits). The dissertation is either a mongraph or a compilation thesis.

Please find more information about the programme under Rules and regulations.

Language of instruction

The courses and seminars within the doctoral programme at the Department of Political Science are generally given in Swedish and/or English. Even though proficiency in Swedish is not a formal requirement for admission, it is very helpful for effective participation in the courses.

Application

There are no open PhD positions at the Department of Political Science at the moment.

Stockholm university's page for open PhD positions

Here is more information on eligibility and selection.

All Ph.D. students are entitled to 48 months of research training funding within the programme. You often extend the time by also teaching from the beginning of semester 3 (at a maximum of 20% of full-time). The first 6-12 months are funded by a scholarship. The scholarship salary (tax-free) corresponds to the entrance salary for doctoral students after tax that applies at the time of the application for the scholarship fund (April 15). If you want to know more about the scholarship, contact the director of studies for postgraduate education or administrative manager at the Department of Political Science.

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Building F, 4th floor.

Associate senior lecturer

Niklas Heijl Bremberg

Universitetsvägen 10 F, plan 7, Room F 748

Last updated: September 21, 2023

Source: Department of Political Science

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Phd Program

The doctoral program is jointly run by the Political Science Department, International Relations Department and Public Policy. Go directly to website:  Doctoral School of Political Science, Public Policy and International Relations  

How to apply for PhD click here Doctoral Scholarships

The structure of the PhD program in Political Science is based on a system of ‘tracks’ (areas of specialization, or ‘majors’). The tracks represent academic fields/sub-fields or research areas that reflect the major strengths and interests of our faculty. The five tracks are:

• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Political Economy
• Public Policy
• Political Theory

PhD Candidacy

The Doctoral Program in Political Science is structured around the following stages: - Completion of coursework; - Successful completion of the comprehensive examination; - Successful defense of the dissertation.

The Probationary Period is between the date of enrolment and the successful passing of the Comprehensive Examination. Probationary Doctoral Candidates become Doctoral Candidates after, first, passing the comprehensive examination and, second, successfully defending the Prospectus. Studies during PhD candidacy are based on individual research guided and monitored by the candidate's supervisory panel. CEU encourages its Doctoral Candidates to spend at least three months at another university during the research period for their dissertation. Doctoral Candidates are eligible for financial support to conduct off-campus research related to the topic of their dissertation in conformity with the general rules of research support as regulated by the university. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation and public defense no later than five years after the doctoral student passed the comprehensive exam.

Degree Requirements

The overall minimum number of credits that Probationary Doctoral Candidates must earn over the course of their first two academic years is 24. The minimum number of credits they must earn in the first academic year is 18. The mandatory credits include: - 14 credits in the students’ major track . Out of these 14 credits, 12 credits belong to the core curriculum. The 2 additional credits of the track fall in the category ‘Advanced Topics’ and change in content from year to year. These credits can be taken either in the first or the second academic year. - 6 credits from the methods sequence . Given the importance of a sound methodological education, all Probationary Doctoral Candidates are required to take the 4-credit ‘Methods and Research Design’ course in the fall semester and a 2-credit ‘Prospectus Seminar Workshop’ in the Winter Semester of the first year. - 4 credits from courses taken from a track different from the students’ first choice , which may count toward a minor field. Students may postpone such courses to the second academic year. Students can choose as their elective courses any course offered in any track. The PhD Program also supports the cross-listing of relevant PhD courses taught in units outside the School, as well as the cross-listing of all PhD courses with relevant disciplinary aspects and orientations from the School to other units.

Optional Credits The student may take optional courses in the second year. If the student collects at least 8 credits from a track other than her/his own, he or she becomes entitled to a ‘minor’. Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.33 in the courses taken for credit. Course requirements, including the type of the final requirement, are specified in the course syllabi. Exams are written exams in order to avoid bias and uncertainty in judgment.

At the end of the probationary period doctoral candidates are required to take a comprehensive examination.The comprehensive examination comprises the exam and the prospectus defense. Probationary doctoral candidates have to earn a "B+" course grade average and a "B+" grade or higher on their comprehensive examination. Admission to the program as a probationary candidate is no guarantee that the student advances to doctoral candidate status. Those students who complete the coursework with a "B+" or higher GPA and a "B+" or higher grade on their comprehensive examination but cannot successfully defend their dissertation are still eligible to receive an MPhil in Political Science degree from CEU.

Supervision

The first year starts with personal consultations between the Probationary Doctoral Candidates and their personal Advisors as well as the Director of the PhD Program, with whom they must discuss their study plan for the first year. By the beginning of the second year Doctoral Candidates are required to nominate three members for their Doctoral Supervisory Committee, and to name one as their primary supervisor. When selecting members of their Doctoral Supervisory Committee, Doctoral Candidates are also expected to submit their study plan for the next two years. The study plan has to be approved by the Doctoral Supervisory Committee and the Director of the PhD Program. Supervisors are expected to follow closely the progress of the students and to have regular contacts with them.

To find out more about the expected learning outcomes of our PhD program click here.

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Political Science

Doing a PhD is both demanding and rewarding. Whether it is a step in your academic career, or the crown on your university education, doctoral research calls for intellectual prowess, creativity, and stamina. Leiden University’s Institute of Political Science offers you a professional and supporting environment for realising your scholarly ambitions.

University-funded and self-funded positions › Applying for a PhD › Job openings › Graduate School › Training › Regulations ›

University-funded and self-funded positions

There are two possibilities for pursuing a doctorate at Leiden University:

• university-funded PhD position: these positions are limited to relevant job openings for PhD candidates; there are no post-graduate tuition fees.
• self-funded PhD: these positions depend on successful application and acceptance by a supervisor; funding depends on the student’s self-obtained grants, job, or other arrangements; there are no tuition fees.

Applying for a PhD

University-funded PhD-positions are advertised ( Job openings › ), when they are available. The application procedure for self-funded PhD positions is outlined here . All candidates are expected to have

• considerable methodological knowledge and skills;
• some experience in setting up and carrying out small-scale research projects;
• knowledge of the literature relating to political science;
• good writing skills; and
• a strong interest in doing original research at the highest level.

Further background information about the Institute’s research programme and supervisors’ areas of expertise can be found here:

› Institute of Political Science: Research

Job openings for PhD candidates

Current vacancies for university-funded PhD candidates are listed on the PhD positions site .

Graduate School

Leiden University’s Institute of Political Science participates in the Graduate School of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. The Graduate School facilitates PhD admission and registration, and provides some training and assistance. Further information can be found on the Graduate School website . There you will also find an extensive section for prospective PhD candidates .

A PhD first and foremost means conducting research and writing your dissertation. But as a PhD candidate you will also be stimulated to develop your skills through:

• training tailored to your research needs, offered in-house, and by the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) ;
• courses offered through the Graduate School;
• training and coaching from Leiden University’s programme for young academics .

Regulations

Our PhD Guide is a good starting point if you consider doing a PhD at the Institute of Political Science.

Leiden Universityߴs PhD regulations, an overview of the formal procedure from starting to defending the PhD, as well as a number of relevant forms and templates are published on the PhD guidelines and regulations page .

Home > Academics > PhD Programmes > Doctorate in Political Science > Doctorate in Political Science, Programme in International Relations

Doctorate in Political Science, Programme in International Relations

Presentation.

The PhD program in international relations encourages a broad definition of international, a methodology mindful of empirical research, and an effort to conceptualize an increasingly complex world of changes.   

This program teaches research through research to students who plan to pursue: 

• academic careers (research and teaching)
• careers as experts in public or private international organizations;
• entrance examinations for international or European civil services, and diplomatic careers.

Skills targeted

The program seeks to develop research and critical analysis skills, very high-level expertise in various methodological tools, and a solid command of the discipline’s fundamental questions.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme is split into a two-year master's and a three-year doctoral programme.

The first year of the Master's is given over to the acquisition of the basics in international relations as well as an initiation to research through lectures on method and, from the second semester on, through more targeted classes and personalised tutoring.

The second year of the Master's course completes previously acquired knowledge through specialised classes and seminars in parallel with a general research seminar and the continuation of tutoring. The combination tends essentially to accompany the student in the preparation of their dissertation, the high point of this second year. Click here for more information on the two years at Master's level.

See  the programme catalogue

After two years students graduate with a master's in Political Science, option International relations.

Students who apply to the doctoral programme come before a jury that takes in account their grades, the quality of their master's dissertation and the candidate's capacity to commit to a research project. The doctoral programme is open not only to students who have followed the initial Sciences Po programme but also to those with master's degrees from another French or foreign establishment. However, it may be required of students who have not taken Science's Po's political science course to follow some basic or specialised classes that the jury deems necessary before beginning their doctoral research.

To choose a thesis supervisor, candidates are asked to get in touch with a member of the teaching staff and/or one of the members of Sciences Po's laboratories; in International Relations: the  Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches Internationales (CERI)  or the  Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) .

During the three-year thesis period, doctoral students are supervised by a thesis supervisor and are integrated in one of Sciences Po's research laboratories: the CERI or the CEE. Doctoral students must also take at least three doctoral seminars one of which must be outside the programme of their chosen option.

In the first year of their PhD program, students will take 3 seminars:

Two mandatory seminars:

• the seminar of the affiliated laboratory (Labsem): CERI
• the seminar on doctoral training in IR: it aims to help PhD students develop their thesis and stay abreast of current research in this subfield. Students must present and discuss their research in front of experts in their field. I will send you the calendar of sessions shortly.     

An elective seminar:

• either the seminar offered by the research group on multilateral action (GRAM)
• or, subject to the thesis advisor’s approval, a specialized seminar selected from the following list  

Attendance is required. The IEP Paris policy on class attendance is applicable. Participation in these seminars counts towards meeting the PhD program’s academic requirements (at least 60 hours). 

Students receive a Doctorate in Political Science after three years studying, submission of a thesis and a viva.

Teaching Staff

• Mélanie Albaret (FR, PDF, 37Ko) , Senior lecturer in political science at the Law School, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand
• Thierry Balzacq , Professor of International Relations, Sciences Po, CERI
• Frédéric Charillon (FR) ,  University Professor, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand
• Ariel Colonomos (FR) , Director of Research, CNRS-CERI
• Jerome Doyon , Assistant Professor, Sciences Po, CERI
• Pierre Grosser ,  Professor of Contemporary History, Doctor of History, Sciences Po
• Carola Klöck ,  Assistant Professor, Sciences Po-CERI
• Christian Lequesne (FR) , Professor, Sciences Po 
• Hugo Meijer ,  CNRS/CERI researcher
• Frédéric Ramel (FR) , University Professor, Sciences Po
• Chiara Ruffa , Professor in Political Science
• Emmanuelle Tourme-Jouannet (FR) , University Professor, Sciences Po, Law School

The programme also welcomes visiting professors from leading foreign universities, who each year offer a lecture and/or seminar to students in the second year of the Master's programme: K. Olsen  et  P. Burgess  (Oslo),  W. Carlsnaes  (Uppsala),  A. Williams  (St Andrews),  E. Luck  (Columbia),  T. Inogushi  (Tokyo),  N. Lebow  (Dartmouth College), etc.

Admissions to a PhD

See Admission to a PhD

Tuition fees

Des aides à la mobilité sont proposées aux doctorants pour participer à des colloques et pour effectuer des travaux de terrain et des séjours d'études à l'étranger.

See Tuition Fees

• Chiara Ruffa Scientific coordinator,  Professor in Political Science  
• Shan Qin-Petit Administrative Officer, coordinator of the programme in Political Science (replaces Marie Hélène Kremer during her absence)  Ph.: +33 (0)1 45 49 55 09

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Admissions report

Application Guide

Tuition Fess & Scholarships

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• Three-Year PhD Programme
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2 PhD positions, Department of Comparative Politics

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Offer description, uib - knowledge that shapes society.

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

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2 PhD positions

There are vacancies for two PhD positions at the at the  Department of Comparative Politics . Each position is for a fixed-term period of 4 years. Of that period, at least 75% will be devoted to PhD training and research as an integral member of the research project “ Representing the Future in an Aging Europe: The Politics of Demographic Change ” (funded by the  Trond-Mohn-Foundation ). The other 25% may involve teaching, supervision, and administrative tasks at the department.

About the project/work tasks:

The project addresses the impact of demographic change on representative democracy. The growing proportion of senior citizens across European populations increases their influence on elections and policy decisions. How does this affect the political representation of old, young, and future generations’ interests? To assess the impact of demographic change on Generational Political Pluralism in Norway, Europe, and beyond, the project investigates generational cleavages in two integral parts of policymaking: public opinion and political representation. The empirical analyses draw on a combination of observational, behavioural, and experimental data and will use a range of innovative methods like survey experiments, text analysis, and social network analysis to make descriptive and causal inferences. Read more about the project  here . A detailed project plan is available  upon request .

The project consists of five team members and is led by Trond-Mohn-Fellow Jana Birke Belschner. The successful candidates will be based in Bergen. An ideal start-up date is during the Autumn semester and no later than 1.12.24. They will actively collaborate with other team members in implementing the project’s work packages and will participate in the department’s research group on citizens, opinion, representation, and elections (CORE).

Candidates are expected to propose and execute a PhD research plan within the subfields of political behavior, political economy, and/or political representation that contributes to the project objectives.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a master's degree or the equivalent in Political Science, Economics, or a related discipline relevant to the project. The degree must be completed by the application deadline
• The requirements are generally a grade B or better on the Master thesis and for the master's degree in total
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills
• Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English
• Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the department for an interview.

The teaching language is usually Norwegian, but some of the teaching is given in English.

About the PhD position:

The duration of the PhD position is 4 years, of which 25 per cent of the time each year comprises required duties associated with research, teaching and dissemination of results. The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a recruitment position.

About the PhD traning:

As a PhD research fellow, you will take part in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, UiB. The programme corresponds to a period of three years and leads to the PhD degree. To be eligible for admission you must normally have an educational background corresponding to a master’s degree with a scope of 120 ECTS credits, which builds on a bachelor’s degree with a scope of 180 ECTS credits (normally 2 + 3 years), or an integrated master’s degree with a scope of 300 ECTS credits (5 years). Master’s degrees must normally include an independent work of a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. It is expected that the topic of the master’s degree is connected to the academic field to which you are seeking admission.

We can offer:

• Salary as PhD (code 1017) NOK 540 500, - per year (pay grade 55 according to the state salary scale). Automatic salary increases for up to 4 years with a 3% annual increase.
• A good and professionally challenging working environment.
• Enrolment in the  Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund .
• Good  welfare benefits .

Project proposal:

A research proposal contributing to the project objectives must accompany the application. The proposal should be 4-5 pages, present the topic, the research problem(s) and choice of theory and methods. The proposal should also include a progress plan for the different parts of the project. Admittance to the PhD programme will be based on the research proposal. The faculty has prepared a  guide for writing project descriptions.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter including a brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of them must be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis
• Project proposal
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees
• Relevant certificates/references
• A list of academic publications
• Academic publications that you want to submit for assessment (including your master’s thesis or equivalent)
• If you have a master's degree from an institution outside of the Nordic countries, or a 2-year discipline- based master's degree (or the equivalent) in a subject area other than the one associated with the application, you may later in the application process be asked to submit an overview of the syllabus for the degree you have completed

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge following the link on this page marked “Apply for this job”.

Closing date: August 2nd, 2024. The application must be marked: 24/6567.

Applications submitted without a project description or applications sent as e-mails will not be considered. Only submitted documents will be subjected to an expert assessment.

General information:

Additional information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Jana Belschner  ([email protected] )

Practical questions about the application process should be directed to: Gudrun Horvei ( [email protected] )

Appointed research fellows will be admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Questions about the programme may be directed to Senior Adviser:   [email protected] .

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click  here .

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad. 

There are seven departments at Faculty of Social Sciences.  Read more about the faculty and departments . 

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Additional information, work location(s), where to apply.

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Political assaults aren’t just a Slovakia problem. Germany is seeing them, too.

• Deep Read ( 5 Min. )
• By Lenora Chu Special correspondent @LenoraChu

May 23, 2024 | Berlin

The attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico last week was only the latest act of politically motivated violence currently racking Europe.

The incidence of attacks has been ticking upward year over year across the Continent. Experts say that it is instigated by language used on social media, which ultimately presents a threat to democracy. The apparent lack of limits on what can now be said about a political opponent has made it easier for physical acts to emerge.

Why We Wrote This

When political vitriol stirs violence, how does society get the temperature back down? That’s a question Europe is struggling with right now amid a wave of attacks on politicians, including the prime minister of Slovakia.

In Germany in 2023, a parliamentary inquiry reported nearly 3,000 attacks on members of political parties, including 1,219 attacks reported against the Greens, 478 against the far-right Alternative for Germany, 420 against the Social Democrats, and 299 against the Free Democrats. The tally this year is on track to top those figures easily.

“Political debates have become very personal, aggressive, full of hatred, and it’s done with impunity,” says Soňa Muzikárová, a Slovakian political economist. “And then as people watch this and it becomes normalized, it also is mirrored in society. Logically, it’s a matter of time when and how this is going to bubble up in the physical space as well.”

Tim Wagner, a sitting member of German parliament, was hanging campaign posters for a liberal colleague when he was accosted on the streets of Eisenberg.

“It was a sunny Sunday, a quarter past 12. A man came up to me and said, ‘You can’t hang these posters here.’ I said, ‘Yes I can.’ He said, ‘We can fight over it,’” says Mr. Wagner, a Free Democrat.

The man – a sympathizer of the right-wing Alternative for Germany party – blocked Mr. Wagner’s path as he tried to leave. Mr. Wagner managed to get into his car, but the man and two others surrounded the vehicle and began kicking the car door.

“We are under attack from both sides, from the right and the left,” says Mr. Wagner, who’s been stalked and had strangers show up at his door. “But this time my 14-year-old daughter was sitting inside the car. She was shocked.”

It was only the latest act of politically motivated violence, the incidence of which has been ticking upward year over year not only in Germany but across Europe. Public attention has been drawn to the issue by the attempted killing of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico last week, the highest-level assassination attempt in decades.

But attacks on politicians had been on the upswing even earlier, instigated by polarizing language used on social media, which ultimately presents a threat to democracy, say experts. The apparent lack of limits on what can now be said about a political opponent has made it easier for physical acts to emerge. The upsurge in violence, they say, may usher in new period of reflection across Europe as a whole, especially as it heads into Continent-wide parliamentary elections next month.

“Political debates have become very personal, aggressive, full of hatred, and it’s done with impunity,” says Soňa Muzikárová, a Slovakian political economist at the Florence-based European University Institute. “And then as people watch this and it becomes normalized, it also is mirrored in society. Logically, it’s a matter of time when and how this is going to bubble up in the physical space as well. It’s kind of a perpetual feedback loop.”

A heated situation

There have been numerous incidents of politically motivated attacks in Germany just over the last few months. Social Democrat Matthias Ecke was beaten by a group of teenagers as he was hanging posters in Dresden, and needed hospitalization. “As you will surely understand he is not yet able to resume his activities in full capacity,” wrote one of Mr. Ecke’s spokespersons, declining an interview request.

Berlin state Sen. Franziska Giffey endured head and neck injuries when she was assaulted at a routine library visit earlier in May. Last year, the son of a Bavarian mayor found a pig’s head on the family’s doorstep. The list goes on. In Germany in 2023, a parliamentary inquiry reported nearly 3,000 attacks on members of parliament and political parties, including 1,219 attacks reported against the Greens, 478 against the far-right Alternative for Germany, 420 against the Social Democrats, and 299 against the Free Democrats. The tally this year is on track to top those figures easily.

Mr. Wagner blames a vitriolic environment that’s been worsened by hate spread online. “Nobody had an iPhone before 2006,” he says. “If I went out to a marketplace in Germany or Thuringia and spoke to people in person, the situation wouldn’t be as heated as it is on social media.”

Similarly, when Prime Minister Fico was shot, Slovakian Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj-Eštok pointed fingers at journalists, fellow politicians, and members of the public. “We are standing here slowly on the brink of civil war because hateful comments are on social media,” he said in a press conference. “Please let’s stop this immediately.”

Other politicians also say they want to calm down the rhetoric. Following the attack on Mr. Fico, several Slovakian parties called for a suspension of campaigning, despite European parliamentary elections looming in early June. And in Germany, leaders of the most-attacked parties – the right and the left – have called for calm.

“You would hope [the assassination attempt] gives rise to a little introspection around how political debates are conducted where there are threats of violence and very partisan or very deep-rooted splits on various ideological issues,” says Jacob Kirkegaard, a political economist and fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

But he feels the ultimate result is likely to be a beefing up of security measures. “There have been political assassinations or attempted assassinations in other European countries before, some of them successful, some of them not. And I think you’d be hard-pressed to say that they made a difference [in the level of rhetoric],” says Dr. Kirkegaard.

In Slovakia, Dr. Muzikárová expects the vitriol will continue. “The signals that I’ve seen so far are not positive to me,” she says. “Instead of a wake-up call, this will be a development which will be weaponized to further the current administration’s agenda. [Mr. Fico’s party] has been so quick after the attack to blame the journalist community, the opposition.”

Milan Nič, a Slovakian political scientist affiliated with the German Council on Foreign Relations, says there have been hints of unity, “but these signs and gestures are at the time more from individuals [rather than from the parties]. We are not out of the woods.”

“We have to calm down”

Threats are nothing new to Mr. Wagner, the politician whose car was surrounded as he hung posters last month.

A few years ago, three members of far-left, anti-fascist militant groups appeared on his home’s front lawn. The next year, Mr. Wagner moved his family to another home, only to have his address doxxed again.

Mr. Wagner is a former martial arts expert and judo teacher, he says, and feels he can take care of his personal safety. But his family didn’t choose public life, and his children are getting older and more aware, just as the threat to politicians has escalated.

“There have been so many conflicts: corona[virus], the war in Ukraine, immigration,” he says. “There’s conflict here in our land that is now coming out.”

Mr. Wagner and his fellow Free Democratic party members have instituted safety rules. They only hang posters during daylight hours. If they engage with the public, they must go with three other colleagues and never alone. “We also said to all members that they must immediately call the police if someone says harsh words,” says Mr. Wagner.

Ultimately, over the long term, Mr. Wagner has hope because the younger generation – including his children – is growing up with social media. They should be better able to discern what’s true from what’s fake than older generations are. “My hope is that the new kids learn how to discuss civilly and politely, and learn to see what’s fake news from Russia or from bots, and what’s really a real person’s writing,” he says.

He also sees some signs of hope, with politicians from all parties now calling for a tamping down of the political rhetoric, which he recalls first escalating over the last decade as the far right called for “Chancellor Angela Merkel to be put in prison.”

“It takes time,” Mr. Wagner says, noting it’s a challenging time to calm the rhetoric because of upcoming EU parliamentary and local elections. “But we know we have to calm down. We must start with social media and bring the discussion to a higher level.”

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I.C.C. Prosecutor Requests Warrants for Israeli and Hamas Leaders

The move sets up a possible showdown between the international court and israel with its biggest ally, the united states..

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This week, Karim Khan, the top prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, requested arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the country’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant.

Patrick Kingsley, the Times’s bureau chief in Jerusalem, explains why this may set up a possible showdown between the court and Israel with its biggest ally, the United States.

On today’s episode

Patrick Kingsley , the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.

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Why did a prosecutor go public with the arrest warrant requests ?

The warrant request appeared to shore up domestic support for Mr. Netanyahu.

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• International

The latest on the massive solar storm

By Angela Fritz, Elise Hammond and Chris Lau, CNN

Incredible lighthouse picture from Maine

From CNN's Chris Lau

Among a flurry of surreal images capturing the dazzling auroras is one taken by Benjamin Williamson of a lighthouse in Portland, Maine.

"It's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen, the awe and wonder," Williamson told CNN.

He said he used a long-exposure technique to snap the shot, but did not edit it.

Watch the full interview with Williamson here .

Things could be about to ramp up

If you still haven't seen the aurora, hold on for another 30 minutes to an hour, according to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.

The next wave of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, which cause the aurora, is about to arrive, he said.

"Just wait a minute because things are going to start to ramp up here," he said, adding that the increase could arrive "anytime now." "When it comes, get outside, get ready, put your coat on."

For those who are too busy to witness the phenomenon tonight, Myers said the aurora is expected to last three nights.

Why does the aurora last for a weekend?

By CNN's Chris Lau

Generally, it takes just eight minutes for light to travel 93 million miles to the Earth from the sun, but astrophysicist Janna Levin said the energized particles causing the current wave of aurora travel a lot slower, causing the phenomenon to last for the weekend.

"Some of these mass ejections are trillions of kilograms," she said. "They're slower. So they're taking longer, but still hours, maybe tens of hours."

Here's how the solar storm looks in the South and on the East Coast

The aurora was visible across the East Coast and in the South Friday.

Here's how it looked in Chester, South Carolina.

Down in Florida, waves of color swam through the sky.

Up north in New Jersey, a purple-ish haze could be seen in the sky.

Will solar storms get more intense and risky in the future?

The answer is probably not in the short term, according to astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi.

He said scientists study what is constantly happening on the surface of the sun and have found a pattern.

“Geological data shows us that in the past the sun was way more active than it is today. It has cycles where it goes very quiet ... and you have events that show that the solar activity was much, much greater,” he told CNN. “So there's no evidence that we're going to see those big maxima this cycle." 

But the astrophysicist also spoke of a caveat - the limitations of modern science.

“Even though it's predictable in the short term, we still don't quite understand what creates the magnetic fields in the sun,” he said, adding: “That's why NASA has so many satellites looking at the sun.”

In Pictures: Auroras light the sky during rare solar storm

From CNN Digital's Photo Team

A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun are creating dazzling auroras across the globe .

The rare solar storm may also disrupt communications. The last time a solar storm of this magnitude reached Earth was in October 2003, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

See more photos of the aurora from tonight.

Behind dazzling aurora could lie “real danger,” Bill Nye the Science Guy says

The massive solar storm could present “a real danger,” especially with the modern world relying so much on electricity, according to Bill Nye the Science Guy , a science educator and engineer.

Scientists are warning an increase in solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun have the potential to disrupt communication on Earth into the weekend. Solar flares can affect communications and GPS almost immediately because they disrupt Earth’s ionosphere, or part of the upper atmosphere. Energetic particles released by the sun can also disrupt electronics on spacecraft and affect astronauts without proper protection within 20 minutes to several hours.

In comparison to tonight's event, Nye drew comparisons with another incident in 1859, known as the Carrington Event, when telegraph communications were severely affected.

“The other thing, everybody, that is a real danger to our technological society, different from 1859, is how much we depend on electricity and our electronics and so on,” Nye said. "None of us really in the developed world could go very long without electricity."

He noted that there are systems in place to minimize the impact, but “stuff might go wrong,” stressing that not all transformers are equipped to withstand such a solar event.

“It depends on the strength of the event and it depends on how much of our infrastructures are prepared for this the sort of thing,” he said.

Bill Nye breaks down significance of the solar storm | CNN

This post has been updated with more details on solar flares' impact on electronics.

Here's where clouds will block the view of the northern lights in the US

From CNN's Angela Fritz

After an incredibly stormy week, most of the Lower 48 has clear skies to see the northern lights. But there are some areas where clouds and rainy weather are spoiling the view.

A deck of clouds is blocking the sky in the Northeast, from parts of Virginia into Maine, as an area of low pressure spins off the East Coast.

In the Midwest, the aurora will be hard to see through thick clouds in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan — including the Upper Peninsula — and Illinois.

A stripe of clouds is tracking across Texas, including Dallas-Forth Worth, and into Louisiana.

And in the Southwest, patchy clouds across the the Four Corners region could make the northern lights difficult to spot.

Aurora seen at least as far south as Georgia

Barely visible to the naked eye, the aurora can be seen in Atlanta in the 10 p.m. ET hour. 

It is easier to see through photographs using a long exposure. The photos below, taken by CNN's Eric Zerkel and Emily Smith, used 3- and 10-second exposures.

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