PhD Politics and International Relations in Reading United Kingdom | University of Reading

As a postgraduate research student in Reading's Department of Politics and International Relations, you'll join a dynamic academic community. You'll collaborate with recent PhD graduates and postdoctoral researchers while pursuing your studies. Our department places research students at the core of our mission, combining dedicated teaching with innovative scholarship. We actively seek PhD candidates who embrace our commitment to understanding global issues through systematic investigation. Faculty expertise covers political theory, comparative politics, and international relations, utilizing varied methodologies from empirical analysis to critical theoretical approaches.

We provide adaptable study options to suit different circumstances. The PhD program offers full-time (3-year) and part-time (4-6 year) pathways, available either on-campus in Reading or through distance learning.

Our Politics and International Relations Department maintains a concentrated, research-driven focus. From examining domestic governance to studying extremist movements internationally, our research tackles essential questions about societal organization. Scholars employ advanced empirical techniques alongside normative, historical, and critical approaches, drawing on regional expertise to explore international relations, political theory, and comparative politics. Our pioneering research includes studies of global institutions like the UN, international political economy, justice across generations, and leading analyses of European far-right movements.