Key Information

Full-time

Dependent on award.

Part-time

Dependent on award.

Typical Offer

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Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Validated

Fees

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Course Code

ISTISTRP

Key Information

Full-time

Dependent on award.

Part-time

Dependent on award.

Typical Offer

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Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Validated

Fees

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Course Code

ISTISTRP

MPhil/PhD International Relations MPhil/PhD International Relations

Each research student is supported by a programme of research training and will be expected to identify an original area of academically relevant research and agree an approved programme of research with the tutor.

Key Information

Full-time

Dependent on award.

Part-time

Dependent on award.

Typical Offer

View

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Validated

Fees

View

Course Code

ISTISTRP

Key Information

Full-time

Dependent on award.

Part-time

Dependent on award.

Typical Offer

View

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Validated

Fees

View

Course Code

ISTISTRP

Select Year of Entry

Dr Andrew Defty - Associate Professor

Dr Andrew Defty - Associate Professor

Andrew teaches on a range of modules within the School of Social and Political Sciences. He has made numerous contributions to national and local radio on topics ranging from voting in the Eurovision song contest to House of Lords reform.

Academic Staff List

Welcome to MPhil/PhD International Relations

Postgraduate research in the School of Social and Political Sciences is informed by the expertise of its team of academics, who have long-standing links to government, research organisations, and the voluntary sector.

Opportunities for research are available across a range of topics in social and political sciences. Current students' research projects include:

-Oil and gas infrastructure security problems in the Niger Delta area
-Understanding China's aid and investment in Zambia
-The politics of nuclear energy in the European Union.


Each research student is supported by a programme of research training and will be expected to identify an original area of academically relevant research and agree an approved programme of research with the tutor.

Current students' areas of research include Sino-Zambian relations, preventive diplomacy and peacekeeping.

Welcome to MPhil/PhD International Relations

Postgraduate research in the School of Social and Political Sciences is informed by the expertise of its team of academics, who have long-standing links to government, research organisations, and the voluntary sector.

Opportunities for research are available across a range of topics in social and political sciences. Current students' research projects include:

-Oil and gas infrastructure security problems in the Niger Delta area
-Understanding China's aid and investment in Zambia
-The politics of nuclear energy in the European Union.


Each research student is supported by a programme of research training and will be expected to identify an original area of academically relevant research and agree an approved programme of research with the tutor.

Current students' areas of research include Sino-Zambian relations, preventive diplomacy and peacekeeping.

Career and Personal Development

Occupations associated with international relations include roles within the civil service, diplomacy, multi-national and international non-governmental organisations, political research, public affairs, the non-governmental sector, journalism, the armed forces, and education.

Research Areas, Projects and Topics

Research supervision is available across the range of the department's subjects. Staff have expertise for postgraduate supervision in the following areas:

  • international relations
  • minority rights
  • human rights
  • women in politics
  • policy making
  • nationalism
  • political economy
  • post-colonial studies
  • construction of sexual identities
  • global citizenship
  • conflict resolution
  • the United Nations

How You Study

Research students can enrol for MPhil or PhD awards. These degrees are normally undertaken wholly by thesis and can be carried out either on a full-time or a part-time basis.

The School aims to provide appropriate support to enable students to become independent researchers. Students are required to follow a structured pattern of activity during which their progress can be monitored and encouraged. Students are allocated two supervisors and the emphasis is on providing whatever training is required, as well as the development of knowledge. Students are asked to contribute to the School's research seminar series, are able to apply for funding to attend conferences, and are encouraged to publish their work and to develop links with appropriate external networks.

Research students normally have two internal supervisors with specialist knowledge relevant to the student's subject area and research methods, and have regular meetings with them for advice, monitoring, and other support. Students can engage with external experts and advisors as necessary.

Students may also have the opportunity to contribute to teaching, subject to the necessary training.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, a significant portion of time will be spent in independent study and research. Students will meet with their academic supervisors at least once a month for full-time students, and every two months for part-time students.

How You Study

Research students can enrol for MPhil or PhD awards. These degrees are normally undertaken wholly by thesis and can be carried out either on a full-time or a part-time basis.

The School aims to provide appropriate support to enable students to become independent researchers. Students are required to follow a structured pattern of activity during which their progress can be monitored and encouraged. Students are allocated two supervisors and the emphasis is on providing whatever training is required, as well as the development of knowledge. Students are asked to contribute to the School's research seminar series, are able to apply for funding to attend conferences, and are encouraged to publish their work and to develop links with appropriate external networks.

Research students normally have two internal supervisors with specialist knowledge relevant to the student's subject area and research methods, and have regular meetings with them for advice, monitoring, and other support. Students can engage with external experts and advisors as necessary.

Students may also have the opportunity to contribute to teaching, subject to the necessary training.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, a significant portion of time will be spent in independent study and research. Students will meet with their academic supervisors at least once a month for full-time students, and every two months for part-time students.

How you are assessed

A PhD is usually awarded based on the quality of the student's thesis and ability to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce). They are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.

How you are assessed

A PhD is usually awarded based on the quality of the student's thesis and ability to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce). They are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.

Entry Requirements 2022-23

MPhil: First or upper second class honours degree or Master's degree.

PhD: Master's degree with a research component.

Entry Requirements 2023-24

MPhil: First or upper second class honours degree or Master's degree.

PhD: Master's degree with a research component.

Fees and Funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.

Programme Fees

Fees and Funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.

Programme Fees

How to Apply

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February or May.

In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.

Prioritising Face-to-Face Teaching

At the University of Lincoln, we strive to ensure our students’ experience is engaging, supportive, and academically challenging. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we have adapted to Government guidance to keep our students, staff, and community safe. All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in England were lifted in February 2022 under the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19, and we have embraced a safe return to in-person teaching on campus. Where appropriate, face-to-face teaching is enhanced by the use of digital tools and technology and may be complemented by online opportunities where these support learning outcomes.

We are fully prepared to adapt our plans if changes in Government guidance make this necessary, and we will endeavour to keep current and prospective students informed. For more information about how we are working to keep our community safe, please visit our coronavirus web pages.

The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.