
Politics
University of LiverpoolLiverpool, United Kingdom
Course overview
Study a PhD in Politics at Liverpool and you’ll be joining a vibrant and international department, offering PhD supervision in subjects across British politics, political science, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Staff in theDepartment of Politicsare world-leading experts in their respective research fields and are happy to share and impart their knowledge through training and mentoring PhD researchers. They publish in high-impact academic journals, publish and edit books and collections, engage with national and international decisionmakers and policymakers in national governments and international organisations, and disseminate their views and analysis of current events through national and international media outlets.
Join us as a PhD researcher in politics and you’ll be mentored to join this international and vibrant world of research, analysis, networking and knowledge exchange. Through regular events, workshops, training and conferences, you’ll be part of this community and learn to navigate and contribute to its production of knowledge. All Politics PhD researchers are assigned two supervisors, a primary and a secondary supervisor, who will mentor, train and guide you through regular meetings, readings of draft chapters, and support for endeavours like attending conferences or preparing publications.
In your first year, you’ll also attend training sessions in research methods and research design. This grounding in essential research skills will ensure you develop the tools needed to undertake independent research successfully. PhD researchers are encouraged to develop their own proposals butideally,they reflect and fit with theexpertisewe can offer for supervision.
The below listindicatesthe core areas of staffexpertise, but the list is not exclusive. The Department of Politics is a thriving community of academic staff that boast a wide range of specialisms mapped against four research clusters. Each member of staff and eac
Key highlights
- Research-led teaching drawing on world-leading scholars' cutting-edge research
- First-year foundations mean no prior specialist knowledge is required
- Wide module choice including British Politics, gender analysis and political theory
- Specialise in one or two areas or study a broad range
- Third-year Single Honours students can apply for the Parliamentary Placement Scheme
- Develop skills in data collection, argument construction and communicating findings
Entry requirements
- A-level: ABB — with EPQ
- A-level: BBB — to include with A in the EPQ; with EPQ
- GCSE: 4/C — to include English, Mathematics
- International Baccalaureate: 32 — overall with no score less t
- Irish Leaving Certificate — H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
- Scottish Advanced Highers: ABB — Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher: ABB in Advanced Highers, combinations of Advanced Highers and Scottish Highers are welcome Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced: B in the Welsh B…
- A-level: AB — …welcome Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced: B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus AB at A level.
- Access to HE Diploma — with 45 Level 3 credits with 33 at Distinction and 12 at Merit
Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
E. Allison Peers Masters Scholarship in Iberian and Latin American Studies
The scholarship provides £5,000 towards fees, plus a £5,000 stipend, for students undertaking a Hispanic topic in any master's programme in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film at the University of Liverpool.
Up to £5,000Health, Cultures and Societies Bursary
The successful candidate will receive a one-off fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Hodgson Law Scholarship
Liverpool Excellence Scholarship for Postgraduates
If you're an international student, you could be eligible for a tuition fee discount of £7,000.
Up to £7,000Liverpool Law School Hong Kong Scholarships
Two scholarships worth £1,000 each.
Up to £1,000Liverpool Law School LLM Bursaries
Two bursaries worth £500 each for Home students. Two bursaries wroth £1,000 each for international students.
MA in Chinese-English Translating and Interpreting Scholarships
Students awarded this scholarship will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Management School MBA Excellence Scholarship
50% tuition fee discounts are available.
Up to 50% of feesManuel Irujo Scholarship in Basque Studies
The scholarship provides approximately £5,000.
MusicFutures Scholarship for International Intellectual Property Law LLM
Up to five scholarships are available, each worth £12,500 in the form of a tuition fee discount.
Up to £12,500Peter Astaire Memorial Scholarship in Beatles Studies
Up to two awards are available in each academic year, with each award worth £4,000.
Up to £4,000Scholarships for MA Political Science and International Relations
The Department of Politics is pleased to announce two £5,000 scholarships for students wishing to pursue the MA in Political Science and International Relations.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Master's in Public Administration and Policy
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Education
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Film Studies
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in History
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000Scholarships for Postgraduate Study in Translation
Successful candidates will receive a fee reduction of £5,000.
Up to £5,000University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarships for Master's Programmes
University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC) Excellence Scholarship
£5,000 tuition fee reduction for the first year of study.
Up to £5,000
Careers this course leads to
- Parliamentary researcher
- Policy analyst
- Civil servant
- Public affairs consultant
- Political campaign officer
- Journalist
Cost of study
UK/Home: Full-time place, per year - £5,238; Part-time: £2,619 | International: Full-time place, per year - £25,350; Part-time: £12,650
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 University of Liverpool, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2026 place.
