Admission to the PhD programme is normally based on good performance at undergraduate level (usually a 2.1 or a First) and a Masters degree with a minimum 60% award mark, at least one of these will be in a social science-related subject. In exceptional cases the department may consider students from non-social science backgrounds, where the student can clearly demonstrate equivalent experience and knowledge and this is supported by academic references. Before being admitted to the programme all students will be interviewed. An interview is offered when the Director of Postgraduate Research and your potential supervisor have reviewed your application and are satisfied that you meet the minimal entry requirements. When applying, candidates should take care to indicate as clearly and fully as possible the nature and scope of the proposed research, outlining why they think it is both original and important.

The Department of Politics has a higher minimum level than the university more generally, because of the more difficult nature of the literature that Politics students must engage with. The departmental requirements are: IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component)
TOEFL: 87, with a minimum of 21 in each component