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Postgraduate research

Located at the heart of an internationally acknowledged social science network, you will receive advanced research training, expert supervision to support progression through the programme, and top quality research facilities.

The department offers two routes to a research degree in Government:

  • PhD
  • PhP (doctoral programme)

Both are three-year programmes. The difference is that the PhP is normally for those who have not yet undertaken a Masters degree, which means first-year PhP students usually take a number of taught modules, corresponding to the taught elements of a Masters programme.

The structure of postgraduate research

There are a number of stages to your research degree at Essex. The timetable of study outlines what you will be expected to achieve and when.

PhD prize for best paper

In recognition of the hard work and dedication you put into your work, each year we offer a prize of 100 (normally book tokens) for the best PhD publication. If you have published a paper during the academic year, no matter what year of study you are in, you could be in with a chance of winning this prize.

Doctoral level training and funding

We play a key role in the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) at Essex. We have eight fully-funded studentships available for high quality students working in advanced quantitative methods.

The University of Essex Doctoral Scholarship supports Home, EU and Overseas students to study at our university.

European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR)

ECPR is an independent, scholarly association that offers training, events and funding to support and encourage political scientists throughout Europe and beyond. As a PhD student, why not take advantage of its membership benefits, which you are entitled to as part of Essex's full affiliation with ECPR, and include:

  • grants for attending the Joint Sessions;
  • travel and a\ccommodation grants for graduate students attending ECPR events; and
  • scholarships available for participants at the Graduate Conference, ECPR Methods Schools and supported spring and summer schools.

More information is available on the ECPR website.

European Consortium for Political Research logoSkills and support

There are a number of events, training and support opportunities to help you gain valuable skills during your research and also to help you prepare for employment.

Writing a research proposal

We offer some guidance on writing a research proposal and what we will be expecting from your proposal when you apply. valuable skills during your research and also to help you prepare for employment.

Apply for a research degree

Essex's online application formApply to study with us using the online application form.

Applicants for entry onto a Postgraduate Research (PhD) degree should normally have either:

  • A higher degree by examination (e.g. MA, MPhil) from a university in the British Isles
  • The equivalent qualification from a university outside the British Isles
  • AA first class honours degree, or its equivalent

Supporting documentation and English language requirement

You are required to submit additional information to support your application for doctoral research. If English isn't your first language then you will also have to provide an English Language Certificate.

Contact us

For further information about postgraduate study please contact our Graduate Administrator.

Last modified on 26 April 2013