Postgraduate Research (PhD)
The
Department of Government provides high quality research training in a
stimulating, intellectual environment.
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, so during your
first-year PhP students usually take a number of taught modules, corresponding
to the taught elements of a Masters programme.
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.
How to apply
All applications to study in the
Department of Government should be made
to Graduate Admissions 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
- A 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.
Scholarships and funding
Funded research degrees
(Home/EU students)
The
Department plays a key
role in the
ESRC Doctoral Training
Centre
(DTC) at Essex. We have
eight fully-funded
studentships available
for high quality
students working in
advanced quantitative
methods.
As part of the Doctoral Training Centre,
Government offers pathways in:
-
Politics
- International
Relations
- Political Economy
- Ideology and
Discourse Analysis
We are also involved with the
Environmental Governance pathway, in
conjunction with the Departments of
Sociology and Biological Sciences.
PhD studies are fully funded for
either three years (to carry out PhD
research) or four years (one years
Masters followed by three years PhD
research). Information about applying
for ESRC funding is available at
www.essex.ac.uk/dtc. The deadline
for applications is 29 February 2012.
We offer some guidance for those applying
for an ESRC 1+3 and +3 studentship.
Other sources of funding
The Faculty of Social Sciences has launched the
University of Essex Social Science Research Scholarship that offers PhD
students studying in the department the opportunity to compete for a selection
of research and teaching awards. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2012.
The University also offers a number of other funding opportunities to
postgraduate students which you may be eligible to apply for. Search the
scholarship finder to see what's available to you.
Further information about postgraduate research
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 colloquium
The
departmental PhD colloquium gives
research students the opportunity to
present their research and engage in
stimulating and thought-provoking
discussions within a friendly
environment of fellow students and
academics.
PGR Student Handbook 2011-12
The postgraduate handbook
(PDF*) provides you with a wealth of information to help you while you study
with us.
*You will need Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file (available free from the
Adobe website)
Contact us
For further information about postgraduate study please contact Claire Chell,
Graduate Administrator, at
govpgtq@essex.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)1206 872741.
Last modified on 20 January 2012