Expand+HOW TO APPLY
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the releva...

Hide-HOW TO APPLY
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Expand+Graduate
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 ca...

Hide-Graduate
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 of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
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).

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.

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

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

Expand+Overview
International Relations at Queen’s assembles one of the largest and most diverse group of scholars in the UK covering almost all areas of politics. We offer a comprehensive range of academic approaches, and regional expertise includes Eur...

Hide-Overview
International Relations at Queen’s assembles one of the largest and most diverse group of scholars in the UK covering almost all areas of politics. We offer a comprehensive range of academic approaches, and regional expertise includes Europe and the USA, Africa, East Asia and Latin America. The School has a strong international reputation for innovative research, across a wide range of specialist research strengths:
• Governance and Public Policy (with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, public opinion, gender studies, governance)

• Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict Studies (with a particular focus on European minority politics, human rights, conflict resolution and peacebuilding)

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

• Irish and Northern Irish Politics (including contemporary Irish political history)

• International Relations and Politics (including International Political Economy, energy politics, security and terrorism, foreign policy).

We pride ourselves on our global outlook within the School. This is reflected in our wide range of international partners and in the diverse nationalities represented across the staff and student bodies. The School hosts international visitors and speakers throughout each academic year and students benefit from the wide range of national and international topics being discussed and researched within the school.

About the Programme
The aim of the programme is to produce students who are fully-fledged independent researchers, and students are from the outset given encouragement to disseminate their work at seminars and conferences and by publishing in high-quality locations. The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation.

Research Resources
The School boasts the Centre for Advancement of Women in Politics works to promote women’s contribution to politics, government and public decision making in the UK and Ireland.

Community
We provide a challenging intellectual atmosphere for our postgraduates. You’ll see our thriving research culture yourself, through visits and talks, conferences and workshops, reading groups and the staff seminar series.

Our PhD student body reflects a growing and diverse global community giving you near unrivalled opportunities to make new friends, debate aspects of your research with a substantial peer group, and begin making those networks that will stand you in good stead throughout you careers.

You’ll become part of our vibrant postgraduate research culture, focused on areas in international relations.
The postgraduate community within the School is lively, energetic and diverse and, contribute enormously to the research culture of the school. It includes many of our own graduates, as well as graduates of British and Irish universities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford, and UCD, and international institutions such as Princeton, Georgetown and Minzu University Beijing.

Expand+Research Information
Associated Research
Contemporary Irish Political History

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

Security, Terrorism and Internation...

Hide-Research Information
Associated Research
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.