Expand+Entry Requirements

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further in...

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The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Qualifications

For information on international qualification equivalents please select Your Country from the list on our International Students website.

Additional Information for International Students

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.

*Taken within the last 2 years.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this programme, our partner INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability to entry to this programme.

•English for University Study - an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

•Pre-sessional English - a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English

Expand+Special Features

The School has over 60 full-time academics, In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, over 65 per cent of the School's research in its various subject areas was judged to be 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent', thus c...

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The School has over 60 full-time academics, In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, over 65 per cent of the School's research in its various subject areas was judged to be 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent', thus confirming the School's position as one of the leading centres in the UK for world-class research in history, anthropology, philosophy and politics.

The School runs a bespoke training programme, including a series of employability talks on 'Pathways out of the PhD: Academic and Non-Academic Futures', which aims to guide you the process of choosing your future career path and making the most of the new research skills you have acquired.

Staff in the School are involved in editing a range of leading, high profile, internationally-recognised journals and book series, including International Political Sociology, Environmental Politics, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, and the Ashgate Rethinking Political and International Theory monograph series.

The thriving research culture of the School can be experienced in a variety of ways: through visits and talks from internationally renowned academics and practioners, conferences and workshops, and the staff seminar series, which students are actively involved in. A range of reading groups, including staff and students, offer the opportunity to read and discuss more widely around your subject.

Expand+Overview

Research Strategies

The School has a strong international reputation for innovative research, across a wide range of specialist research strengths. In each of these, important and pioneering work has been published by members of staff ...

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Research Strategies

The School has a strong international reputation for innovative research, across a wide range of specialist research strengths. In each of these, important and pioneering work has been published by members of staff and major projects of research are ongoing. In addition, the School is committed to the supervision of high-quality research students in all areas of politics, philosophy and international politics and to enhancing its vibrant postgraduate research culture.

Expand+Research Strengths

The research interests of the School and the expertise of its staff include:

•Contemporary Irish Political History

•Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, public opinion, gende...

Hide-Research Strengths

The research interests of the School and the expertise of its staff include:

•Contemporary Irish Political History

•Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, public opinion, gender studies, governance.

•Security, Terrorism and International Relations

•Philosophy, with a particular emphasis on metaphysics, philosophy of mind, logic, epistemology, moral and political philosophy

•Political Theory, particularly green political thought, post-structuralism, democratic political theory and the politics of recognition.

Expand+Career Prospects

PhD and MPhil graduates from our School have taken up careers in a variety of spheres. Many have gained lecturing or postdoctoral research positions at Universities and Research Institutes in the UK, Ireland, Europe and America. W...

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PhD and MPhil graduates from our School have taken up careers in a variety of spheres. Many have gained lecturing or postdoctoral research positions at Universities and Research Institutes in the UK, Ireland, Europe and America. We also have graduates now working in local and regional government, the Electoral Commission, the media, and for international humanitarian NGOs and charities.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.