PhD Comparative Politics
Our research programmes provide a combination of formal research training and individual supervision within a supportive environment, with regular interaction between staff and students. For example, the School runs a weekly Graduate Research Training Seminar, where students are encouraged to present their work and receive feedback from peers and staff.
Students enjoy regular meetings with a supervisor and supervisory team, and are also given opportunities to collaborate with other members of staff through the staff research seminar and the activities of the four research centres.
Students are encouraged to participate in the annual postgraduate research conference, during which various staff members discuss the work of research students, and outside speakers offer plenary lectures. Research students will also be able to benefit from the skills training offered by the University’s Graduate and Researcher College.
Choosing a topic
Although sometimes we have specific PhD research projects related to funding awards, most of our research students choose their own research topics. Once you have decided on the nature of your project, you should then contact the member of staff in the School whose expertise and interests most closely match your area of research and ask them if they will act as your supervisor. Master's by Research applicants should also follow this procedure.
You then work with your proposed supervisor on refining your research proposal which provides the starting point for your subsequent research.
The breadth of expertise within the School enables us to provide research supervision on a wide range of topics across the area of Comparative Politics. Current projects of students studying in this area include:
Party System Institutionalization in the Post-Soviet region: The Case of Kyrgyzstan
The Impact of New Social Media on Political Behaviour
Support for the European Union: The Misleading Case of the Republic of Ireland
Glafkos Clerides: Transformative Leadership and the Revision of Greek Nationalism in Cyprus
Campus Information
Canterbury
Our campus is surrounded by beautiful woodlands and overlooks the charming city of Canterbury. We have excellent transport links on campus or you can stroll into town on foot.
Intakes
- Jan
- Sep
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
In these appointments, you will have up to 45 minutes to talk to a careers adviser about whatever career-related topic is important to you. Topics of conversation could include:
- I have no idea what I want to do after I graduate, what are my options?
- What jobs can I get with my degree?
- How do my skills fit in the labour market?
- I’m interested in taking a gap year after I graduate and I want to plan something employers will value.
- I’m thinking of leaving/changing my course and want to talk through the pros and cons.
- I’m interested in doing a masters or PhD, what are my options?
- I’m not sure how to disclose sensitive information to an employer.
A guidance interview is:
Impartial
A careers adviser will not recommend one route to you over another. They are there to help you explore the options objectively.
Challenging
Careers advisers may question your goals and help you to look at the disadvantages as well as the advantages. This is not to put you off, but to help ensure you have thought it through.
Supportive
The meetings are very informal and relaxed. Careers advisers are there to help you discuss things in a safe environment.
Part of a process
Career choice is a process not an event. A guidance interview is a good starting point but you will need to do further research and continuously update your action plan.
PSW Opportunity
- 2 Years PSW is applicable after completing a minimum duration of 9 months course (like- Undergraduate, Postgraduate Level)
- 3 Years PSW is applicable after completing PhD level courses.?
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
For entry to a Kent postgraduate degree programme (Master’s), Indian students typically need to have completed a three or four-year undergraduate degree (Honours Bachelor degree or Professional degree) at an accredited university or college. General Bachelor degrees may sometimes be considered. Exact requirements will depend on the postgraduate degree you are applying for and the institution you have studied at.
For programmes that require a 2:1 we usually ask for a First Class degree, a final CGPA of 6.0/10, or 60%. Students from top institutions may be considered with a high Second Class degree, a final CGPA of 5.5/10, or 55%.
For programmes that require a 2:2 we usually ask for a high Second Class degree, a final CGPA of 5.5/10, or 55%
Some, but not all, postgraduate programmes require your undergraduate degree to have a related major. Some postgraduate programmes may require work experience in a relevant field or at a certain level.
General postgraduate programmes
IELTS (including IELTS Indicator)
6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in R&W; 5.5 in S&L)
PTE Academic
62 overall with 60 in each subtest
CAE/CPE
176 overall (with a minimum of 169 in R&W; 162 in S&L)
TOEFL iBT
90 overall (with a minimum of 22 in R; 21 in W; 17 in L; 20 in S)
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
- Duration: 04 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
74400 GBP
Average Cost of Living: 13632 GBP /year
Application Fee: N/A