Politics and International Relations
Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/degrees/politics/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/degrees/
| Degrees Degree types explained | - MPhil/PhD Politics (Exeter and Cornwall) - MPhil/PhD European Politics (Exeter only) - MA by Research Politics (Exeter and Cornwall) - MPhil/PhD Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) in Social Sciences (Exeter only) |
| Duration | Degree duration details |
| Start date | September or January |
| Locations | Streatham Campus Penryn Campus |
| Study modes Study mode details | Full time and part time |
Why study Politics and International Relations at Exeter?
- As one of the top departments in the UK, Politics at Exeter provides an ideal place to undertake a MPhil/PhD in Politics and International Relations, Security, Conflict and Human Rights, or Strategy and Security.
- There are opportunities at both the Streatham Campus in Exeter and at the Penryn Campus near Falmouth.
- The MA by Research in Politics has been developed to allow you to undertake a research project in an area that interests you, within a shorter timeframe than the MPhil or PhD.
- Our seminar series and highly successful annual postgraduate conference brings together researchers from across all humanities and social sciences disciplines
- With over thirty members of faculty engaged in world-leading research and more than ninety research students currently enrolled, we offer a challenging but friendly and supportive environment in which to pursue your own research interests.
Contact
Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72
Contact
Web: Enquire online\ Phone: 0300 555 6060 (UK)\ +44 (0)1392 723044 (non-UK)
We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research
Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
14th in The Complete University Guide 2026
Top 100 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2025
Funding opportunities available through ESRC South West Doctoral Training Centre – a hub of world-class social sciences research
Research overview
Our research is structured around University and Department research centres which focus on research themes and provide additional institutional structures for facilitating research.
- The Elections Centre
- Centre for European Studies
- Centre of Advanced International Studies
- Centre for Political Thought
- Public Policy and Governance Group (PPGG)
- Strategy and Security Institute (SSI)
- Q-Step Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2)
- Centre for Middle East Politics (C-MEP)
The department's strong research culture is reflected in our regular seminars and workshops and visits from internationally renowned scholars.
How to apply
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ou should have a good first degree either in Politics or another subject that could prepare you for a research project within the Department.
You should have a good first degree, and a Master's degree with Merit or equivalent either in Politics or another subject that could prepare you for a research project within the Department. We also consider applications from candidates who can demonstrate professional or other relevant experience that would make them suited to undertake an MPhil/PhD with us.
Requirements for international students
If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile E: view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
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Fees and funding
Fees 2025/26
Tuition fees per year 2025/26
- Home: £5,022 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
- International: £23,500 full-time
For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.
Fees 2026/27
Tuition fees per year 2026/27
- Home: £5,238 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
- International: £23,750 full-time
For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.
Current funding opportunities
Our Postgraduate Funding webpage provides links to further information. If you are considering a PhD in the future, in addition to University of Exeter funding, we have been successful at securing postgraduate funding for PhD research through our Funded centres.
Current available funding
Supervision
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You can expect:
- High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your potential
- A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements
- Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students
- Regular timetabled meetings with your supervisor
- 'Open door' policy to all postgraduate students - instant access to world-leading researchers who will share their expertise and ideas with you
- Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors
You will only be able to apply for a PhD when you have received a letter from potential supervisors stating that they are willing to supervise your PhD thesis. You therefore need to initiate contact with faculty who are working on topics that you are interested in and present them with a proposal of no more than 2000 words.
“My project is exploring youth participation and more importantly how a compulsory political education could improve this for the future of UK’s democracy. The university agreed that this was a priority subject area and I was honoured to receive the Vice Chancellors Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2017.
The Politics Department is currently 5th in the UK for world-leading research which means that you get to collaborate with academics who are at the forefront of your field. In terms of the supervision process here at Exeter the really great thing is that you’re given two fantastic supervisors. Doing a PhD is both the most amazing and terrifying thing you’ll do as an early career academic so having a really supportive team to guide you through these often confusing or uncertain steps is really useful.”
Rebecca, Politics PhD.
Careers
Below are some examples of initial jobs undertaken by Politics and International Relations postgraduates who studied with us in recent years.
Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
| Job Title | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Assistant Professor Associate lecturer Associate Teaching and Research Assistant Author CEO Social Enterprise Chief Inspector (Operations)- Police Officer Civil Servant (Director) Communications Officer Consultant Cover Supervisor Creative Kernow Desk Officer Environmental and institutional economist Head of Unit and Research Fellow Lecturer Lecturer in International Relations Lecturer in Political Theory Lecturer in Politics and International Relations Legislative Researcher Migration consultant Policy Officer Politics Lecturer Politics Lecturer Postdoctoral Fellow Post-doctoral research associate Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Programme Manager Research Fellow Research Fellow Senior Lecturer; Research Coordinator Senior Political Affairs Officer Senior Researcher Teaching Fellow Teaching Fellow University Teaching and Research Fellow | 3 Pillars Project ACTeon Agency Central European University Centre for European Policy Studies China University of Political Science and Law Civil Service Cranfield University Creative Kernow Devon and Cornwall Police Dr Jerry Thomas CB DSO ESPOL European Commision Falmouth University Federal Demographic Center Abu Dhabi, UAE GIGA Hamburg, Germany Hamid Alkifaey Internet Governance Forum King's College, London Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung National Secular Society Okehampton College The Ministry of Education The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea United Nations Administration Mission in Kosovo University of Bath University of Central Asia University of Exeter University of Leicester University of Sheffield University of South Florida University of St.Gallen, Switzerland University of Vienna Victoria University of Wellington VU University Amsterdam |
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