Politics and international relations research degrees

Our postgraduate research in politics and international relations including entry requirements for PhDs and other research degrees.

Politics and international relations academics at Dundee have particular strength in international politics and are part of the wider School of Social Sciences. To read more, please visit our Politics and International Relations research web pages.

Our research interests include:

  • peace and security in international relations
  • international relations theory and international and supranational organisations
  • European Union politics
  • the impact of processes of European Integration and globalisation on parties of the European Left
  • terrorism, counter-terrorism, and policing
  • asylum, migration and borders
  • human rights
  • sexual politics
  • public policy decision making relating to protection of citizens
  • the global drugs problem and related policies
  • law enforcement strategies
  • democratic consolidation
  • regional and local politics in Russia
  • Irish politics
  • Sub-Saharan African politics: liberation movements, nationalism, the 'invention' of traditions, post-colonial governance
  • Middle Eastern politics

Current research topics include:

  • Responding to human rights abuses during conflict in Africa Human rights and foreign policy - the case of Scotland The international drug control regime – can it survive in its present form?
  • European drug policies and the prevention of mortality from illicit drug use EU-China and UK-China relations post-Brexit The EU-US-China strategic triangle in the 21st Century

Propose your own PhD topic

If you want to propose your PhD topic, you can use the contact details below to contact a staff member to discuss your proposal.

How to write your best postgraduate research proposal

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree at 2.1 or above, and a Masters degree in a relevant discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.5

We also accept other English language qualifications

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of certain countries.

Don't meet the English language requirements?

English language programmes

Prepare for university study and benefit from extra English tuition with an English language programme.

Politics and international relations PhD tuition fees

Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2024/25 £4,786
per year of study		 £21,940 
per year of study
Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2025/26 £5,006
per year of study		 £21,940 
per year of study

Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 3% annual increase for Scottish/Rest of UK students and a 5% annual increase for International students).

The tuition fee, and mode of attendance shown within the application system is provisional and confirmed when you are made an offer.

Part time study, where available, is charged on a pro-rata basis.

Scottish/Rest of UK fee status annual increase

Each year, UKRI sets a recommended fee and stipend level for Scottish/Rest of UK students, which we use as the basis for fees charged to this group.

UKRI usually increases its fee and stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator. 

Therefore, the Scottish/Rest of UK fees detailed in this table for 2025/26 (and beyond) can only be estimated according to the typical increase. 

The fee charged to you may differ, though only slightly, from the figure given.

Types of PhDs

3-year PhD

You may be offered a 3-year PhD if:

  • you have an existing MSc that included extensive research skills training
  • a well-developed research proposal

We may also take into account if you have any professional experience that you may have. Particularly if this includes significant research expertise.

3.5-year PhD

You may be offered a 3.5-year PhD with Research Training course if:

  • you have an existing MSc that included some research skills elements
  • you are transferring from another disciplinary area with different research skills
  • you are undertaking an interdisciplinary PhD with different skills needed
  • you need to further develop your proposal

These means that you need additional skills to undertake your PhD.

4-year PhD

You may be offered a 4-year PhD with Research Training course if:

  • you have an existing MSc that did not include research skills
  • you are moving from one discipline to another in social sciences. The other discipline may have had completely different research skill needs
  • you do not have a well-developed research proposal

An assessment of your application by School staff will determine which of the three pathways you may be offered.

Apply for a research degree

You can apply for a PhD or other postgraduate research degree using our Direct Application System.

We have three start dates per academic year.

PhD Politics & International Relations

 

Disabled students

The University of Dundee welcomes applications from disabled students.

Enquiries