Queen's University Belfast

Public Policy PhD

Queen's University BelfastBelfast, United Kingdom

Course overview

The PhD in Public Policy at Queen’s University provides an exciting and rewarding programme of independent research with an established team of academics working in the discipline. The PhD in Public Policy programme is managed within the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, where scholarship and education are driven by a concern to encourage innovative and critically incisive ways of thinking about a wide range of problems that citizens and governments encounter in the modern world. We pride ourselves on our global outlook within the School.

This is reflected in our wide range of international partners and in the diverse nationalities represented across the staff and student bodies. The School hosts international visitors and speakers throughout each academic year and students benefit from the wide range of national and international topics being discussed and researched within the school. The PhD in Public Policy programme is an important element of the new Centre for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) in QUB.

PhD students undertaking the programme with work closely with Fellows of the Centre and benefit from their international networks and resources. They will also undertake Modules in their first year from the MSc in International Public Policy programme, including research methods. About the Programme The aim of the programme is to produce PhD students who are fully-fledged independent researchers making a contribution to the growing disciplines of academic public policy and public administration.

From the outset, students are given encouragement to engage in relevant training, disseminate their work at seminars and conferences, and to aim to publish their work in high-quality locations. The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation. Some of the existing research in the CPPA concerns: - Knowledge brokering between academia and public sector organisations - Public sector reform in Gulf states - The effects of AI and digitalisation on public services - Changing modes of government transparency - Environmental policy post-Brexit Important and pioneering work has been published by members of staff and major projects of research are ongoing.

In addition, the School is committed to the supervision of high-quality research students in all areas. Scholarships: Some scholarship funding may be available via the following doctoral training programmes (DTP): NINE DTP - Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership. Please see: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/ for further details.

Northern Bridge DTP - Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership. Please see: http://www.northernbridge.ac.uk/ for further details DfE Studentship - Department for the Economy Postgraduate Studentship scheme Please see: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/department-economy-postgraduate-studentship-scheme for further details. Further PhD opportunities are available through the LINAS Doctoral Training Programme.

Please see https://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/GRI/mitchell-institute/Study/linas/Projects/ for more details Research Resources The Politics and International Relations seminar takes place weekly during teaching term for staff and students and PhD students are encouraged to present at these. Mode of study/duration Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis following three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Community We provide a challenging intellectual atmosphere for our postgraduates. You’ll see our thriving research culture yourself, through visits and talks, conferences and workshops, reading groups and the staff seminar series. Our PhD student body reflects a growing and diverse global community giving you near unrivalled opportunities to make new friends, debate aspects of your research with a…

Key highlights

  • Work closely with Fellows of the Centre for Public Policy and Administration
  • First-year modules from MSc International Public Policy, including research methods
  • Research areas include AI, digitalisation and public services
  • Weekly Politics and International Relations seminar open to PhD presenters
  • Encouraged to present at conferences and publish in high-quality outlets
  • Culminates in an 80,000-word dissertation

Entry requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 — 6.5 IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is require

Scholarships

  • International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship

    Year one award of between £2000 and £5000.

    Up to £2,000
  • The Burdett Trust MSc Nursing Scholarships

    For Home Students: Tuition fees £7,665 Stipend £10,250. For International Students: Tuition fees £24,295 Stipend £17,000

  • Vice Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship - Postgraduate Taught

    Value: 50% of tuition fees paid for up to a maximum of two years.

    Up to 50% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • University lecturer in public policy
  • Postdoctoral researcher
  • Policy analyst
  • Senior civil servant
  • Think tank researcher
  • Public sector consultant

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £22,500

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Queen's University Belfast, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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