International Relations PhD/PhD by Published works

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International Relations PhD/PhD by Published works

Key Facts

Level

PostgraduatePG PhD
Duration

PhD: Full Time 2 years - 4 years or Part Time 3 years - 6 years
PhD by Published Works: Part Time 1 year - 2 years
Starting

October, March

UK Fees >

See Fees and Funding
International Fees >

See Fees and Funding
Location >

Waterside

Updated 27/03/2025

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview

This PhD and PhD by Published Works programme is a programme of doctoral research in the academic study of International Relations. If you are a graduate in International Relations or a related discipline, this research programme offers an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and research skills. Successful oral defence (viva voce) of the final thesis will provide the researcher with the highest qualification that any UK university can award. It will also offer researchers an excellent opportunity to develop their career in academics or move into higher management positions in the industry. You can also become a post-graduate member of the related faculty research centre and benefit from the support and events offered.

Find out more about Research centres and institutes:

Centre for Global Economic and Social Development (GESD)

The closing dates for applications for the October intake is 1 August and for the March intake is 11 December.

Highlights

Regular research seminars, conferences and research activities led by our Research Centre and the Graduate School

Entry Requirements

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

a master’s degree in international relations, or in a closely related discipline that has prepared you to undertake advanced graduate research on your chosen thesis topic; or
a strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in politics or international relations, or in a related discipline such as economics, history, philosophy, sociology or law

Each application will be assessed upon its own merits, and candidates with a degree in an unrelated discipline should demonstrate the relevance of their academic background to their proposed subject or topic of study.

All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
- successful interview by the University
- suitable Research Supervision Support
The How to Apply page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. Minimum scores required to meet the University’s higher-level requirement of IELTS at 7.0, with no component less than 6.5 (or equivalent). Applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered.

Course Content

As a PhD or a PhD by Published works student you will be a member of a distinguished academic community that is renowned for its cutting-edge research and its intensive and individualised teaching and supervision. It is a community from which you will draw support and guidance but which will also learn from your own contribution to its work.

You will have rich opportunities for connecting with fellow-students, postdoctoral fellows, and temporary and permanent academic staff involved in disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research programmes.

Research students spend their initial time, in the development of, and early work on, the thesis topic; in improving knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods; in attendance at relevant lectures, seminars and classes; and in preparing to go through the initial project progression via their Research degree board.

This course is unique to the University of Northampton. We can supervise topics including:
- Specific case studies of historical or current situations in which IR come into play
- IR between specific nations or within specific regions of the globe
- Changes in IR policy or history
- Supra-national and international institutions and their role in IR
- IR and conflict/peace
What is the difference between a full PhD and a PhD by Published works?

A PhD involves conducting original research and writing a thesis, while a PhD by Published Works is awarded based on a collection of previously published papers demonstrating significant contributions to the field. Additional information about choosing your type of research degree can be found on our How to apply for Research degree study page.

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees

UK – Full Time: £5,700
UK – Part Time: £2,845
International – Full Time: £16,350
International – Part Time: £7,640

Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.

UK – Part Time: £3,600
International – Part Time: £7,840

Please visit the funding pages and our scholarship pages for more details on how to fund your study.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- UK – Full Time: £5,500
- UK – Part Time: £2,775
- International – Full Time: £15,950
- International – Part Time: £7,450
Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works
- UK – Part Time: £3,500
- International – Part Time: £7,650

Staff

Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt
Faculty of Business and Law

Ade Ige-Olaobaju

Associate Professor in Social & Cultural Change
Faculty of Business and Law

Alison Hulme

Senior Lecturer in Politics & International Relations
Faculty of Business and Law

Eddie Tembo

Careers and Employability

We have a tradition of producing high quality doctoral research. Many of our graduates hold academic positions at universities and business schools around the world. We are strongly committed to creating a research community in which researchers can thrive and develop their skills and we view all our Postgraduate Researchers as potential research stars of the future.

The University of Northampton has an excellent careers service.  Our Careers and Employability Service is dedicated to equipping students with the skills to thrive, adapt and innovate in our ever-changing world.

Facilities

Our PhD students have access to exceptional research facilities such as:

Dedicated PhD study area with computer and printer in the Learning Hub
Teaching and Research Assistant opportunities should you meet the requirement
Spacious individual and group working space and discussion areas
Well-equipped library with access to academic e-books, journal articles and learning resources for on-site and off-site study
Library and Learning support for PhD students
Skills support for PhD students
Opportunities for research collaboration with staff and students
Excellent social groups for student meetings and engagement

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International Relations PhD/PhD by Published works

Key Facts

Get in touch

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

Overview

Highlights

Entry Requirements

Course Content

Fees and Funding

Staff

Shawky Nasser

Ade Ige-Olaobaju

Alison Hulme

Eddie Tembo

Georgia Giordani

Shawky Nasser

Ade Ige-Olaobaju

Alison Hulme

Eddie Tembo

Georgia Giordani

Shawky Nasser

Ade Ige-Olaobaju

Alison Hulme

Eddie Tembo

Georgia Giordani

Shawky Nasser

Ade Ige-Olaobaju

Careers and Employability

Facilities

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Key Facts

Get in touch

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

Overview

Highlights

Entry Requirements

Course Content

Fees and Funding

Staff

Ade Ige-Olaobaju

Alison Hulme

Eddie Tembo

Careers and Employability

Facilities

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