University of Kent

Political and Social Thought - MA, PhD

University of KentCanterbury, United Kingdom

Course overview

Our research programmes provide a combination of formal research training and individual supervision within a supportive environment, with regular interaction between staff and students. For example, the School runs a weekly Graduate Research Training Seminar, where students are encouraged to present their work and receive feedback from peers and staff. Students enjoy regular meetings with a supervisor and supervisory team, and are also given opportunities to collaborate with other members of staff through the staff research seminar and the activities of the Centre for Critical Thought.

Students are encouraged to participate in the annual postgraduate research conference, during which various staff members discuss the work of research students, and outside speakers offer plenary lectures. Research students will also be able to benefit from the skills training offered by the University’s Graduate and Researcher College. Although sometimes we have specific PhD research projects related to funding awards, most of our research students choose their own research topics.

Once you have decided on the nature of your project, you should then contact the member of staff in the School whose expertise and interests most closely match your area of research and ask them if they will act as your supervisor. Master's by Research applicants should also follow this procedure. You then work with your proposed supervisor on refining your research proposal which provides the starting point for your subsequent research.

The breadth of expertise within the School of Politics and International Relations enables us to provide research supervision on a very wide range of topics across the area of Political and Social Thought. Current projects of students studying in this area include:

Key highlights

  • Formal research training combined with individual supervision by a supervisory team
  • Weekly Graduate Research Training Seminar for presenting work and receiving feedback
  • Collaboration opportunities through staff research seminars and the Centre for Critical Thought
  • Annual postgraduate research conference with staff feedback and outside plenary speakers
  • Skills training available through the Graduate and Researcher College
  • Most students choose their own research topic across political and social thought

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:2 — to include relevant subject; or above
  • Degree: 2:1 — to include relevant subject; or above

Scholarships

  • Chevening Scholarships

  • Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship

    Scholarship value up to £10,000.

  • Kent Business School Beaconhouse PG Progression Scholarship

    Tuition fee discount scholarship of £6,000.

    Up to £6,000

  • Kent Business School Dean's Excellence Scholarship Award

    Awards of up to £3,000

  • Kent Business School MBA Scholarship

    50% off Tuition Fee.

    Up to 50% of fees

  • Kent Graduate Scholarship

    20% fee reduction for post-graduate taught programmes at the University of Kent.

    Up to 20% of fees

  • Kent International Scholarship Postgraduate Taught

    Scholarship value - £5000

    Up to £5,000

  • Kent International Scholarship Postgraduate Taught (KBS)

    Scholarship value £3000

    Up to £3,000

  • Kent LLM Solicitors’ Practice Scholarship (Canterbury)

    £2,000 tuition fee discount (Home Students); £2,000 tuition fee discount (Overseas Students).

    Up to £2,000

  • Sasha Roberts Scholarship

    £3,000 stipend per annum split into two payments of £1,500 in October and January.

    Up to £3,000

  • The “Ambition” Scholarship for University of Kent Graduates

    £1,500 for Full Time UK students; £750 per year for Part Time UK students; £3,000 for Full Time Overseas students.

  • The CAMEMS Scholarship

    £3,000 stipend per annum split into two payments of £1,500 in October and January.

    Up to £3,000

  • The Widening Participation Ambition Scholarship for University of Kent Graduates

    £5,000 for UK students (£2,500 per year for part time students).

Careers this course leads to

  • University lecturer
  • Postdoctoral researcher
  • Policy analyst
  • Think tank researcher
  • Political consultant
  • Civil service policy adviser

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,238 per year | International: £19,300 per year

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 Kent, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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