Public Administration and Policy
Entry requirements
Applicants for degrees by research should have at least a good Honours degree or equivalent academic qualification. Our normal policy is to register PhD applicants for an MPhil, and transfer them to PhD if their work is of an acceptable standard. If you have registered for the MSc you may, after nine months full-time (18 months part-time), apply to transfer to an MPhil or PhD.
You will need to show evidence of satisfactory progress with your thesis, and have provided an acceptable programme of further research. MPhil students may apply to transfer to a PhD by meeting similar conditions.
Learn more about entry requirements and see our Guidance for applying for a PhD.
Months of entry
September
Course content
This advanced degree is not just an academic pursuit; it's a transformative journey that equips you with the knowledge, skills, and influence to shape the future of governance and public affairs.
The Department of Public Administration and Policy has a vibrant and close-knit international research community of early-career and established researchers. Our engaged scholarship is theoretically-driven, and demonstrates a commitment to methodological pluralism, with particular strengths in qualitative, collaborative and participative approaches.
Undertaking a PhD in Public Administration and Policy, you will have the opportunity to conduct original research under the guidance of academic supervisors within an active research environment, leading to an 80,000 word thesis. You will take a number of research training modules in your first year and may attend further courses offered by the Department or the University that enhance your personal discipline-specific and transferable skills.
The Department of Public Administration and Policy is in the School of Government, one of the leading UK and international centres for governance, politics, international development, and public management. As one of the largest Schools of Government, in the United Kingdom, it is home to more than 80 full-time academic staff, more than 1,200 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, and more than 70 doctoral researchers.
The School of Government offers much more than a degree. As a doctoral student here, you have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of research events with staff and other doctoral students, including a PGR Colloquium and departmental speaker series. In addition, an individual training plan is drawn up to meet the needs of each student, covering coursework and skills development. As such, completing this research degree will cultivate specialist knowledge in your field and professional skills for a range of career settings.
We are particularly interested in receiving applications on the following themes:
- Governance, institutional design and leadership
- Co-production, democratic and social innovation, and inclusion
- Policy-making, implementation and service delivery
- Smart, sustainable and creative approaches to policy challenges
Applications to study for a research degree on either a full- or part-time basis are welcomed.
Information for international students
You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:
- by holding an English language qualification to the right level - IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band
- by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students
- IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: PTE Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
Fees and funding
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- PhD
- full time36 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- part time72 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Enquiries
- gandspgr@contacts.bham.ac.uk