| Degrees |
|
|---|---|
| Duration |
| Start date | September or January |
|---|---|
| Locations | Streatham Campus
Penryn Campus |
| Study modes | Full time and part time |
Overview
- As one of the top departments in the UK, Politics at Exeter provides an ideal place to undertake a MPhil/PhD in Politics and International Relations, Security, Conflict and Human Rights, or Strategy and Security.
- There are opportunities at both the Streatham Campus in Exeter and at the Penryn Campus near Falmouth.
- The MA by Research in Politics has been developed to allow you to undertake a research project in an area that interests you, within a shorter timeframe than the MPhil or PhD.
- Our seminar series and highly successful annual postgraduate conference brings together researchers from across all humanities and social sciences disciplines
- With over thirty members of faculty engaged in world-leading research and more than ninety research students currently enrolled, we offer a challenging but friendly and supportive environment in which to pursue your own research interests.
Contact
Web: Enquire online
Phone: 0300 555 6060 (UK)
+44 (0)1392 723044 (non-UK)
We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research
Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
11th in The Complete University Guide 2025
Top 100 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Funding opportunities available through ESRC South West Doctoral Training Centre – a hub of world-class social sciences research
We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research
Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021
Top 15 in the UK for Politics
11th in The Complete University Guide 2025
Top 100 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Funding opportunities available through ESRC South West Doctoral Training Centre – a hub of world-class social sciences research
Research overview
Our research is structured around University and Department research centres which focus on research themes and provide additional institutional structures for facilitating research.
- Centre for Elections, Media & Participation
- Centre for European Studies
- Centre of Advanced International Studies
- Centre for Political Thought
- Public Policy Research (PPGG)
- Strategy and Security Institute (SSI)
- Exeter Q-Step Centre
- Centre for Middle East Politics (C-MEP)
The department's strong research culture is reflected in our regular seminars and workshops and visits from internationally renowned scholars.
How to apply
ou should have a good first degree either in Politics or another subject that could prepare you for a research project within the Department.
You should have a good first degree, and a Master's degree with Merit or equivalent either in Politics or another subject that could prepare you for a research project within the Department. We also consider applications from candidates who can demonstrate professional or other relevant experience that would make them suited to undertake an MPhil/PhD with us.
Requirements for international students
If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile E: view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees per year 2025/26
- Home: £4,950 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
- International: £23,500 full-time
For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.
Tuition fees per year 2024/25
- Home: £4,786 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
- International: £22,600 full-time
For those studying for more than one year, our fees are expected to increase modestly in line with Consumer Price Inflation measured in December each year. More information can be found on our Student Finance webpages.
Our Postgraduate Funding webpage provides links to further information. If you are considering a PhD in the future, in addition to University of Exeter funding, we have been successful at securing postgraduate funding for PhD research through our Funded centres.
Current available funding
Supervision
You can expect:
- High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your potential
- A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements
- Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students
- Regular timetabled meetings with your supervisor
- 'Open door' policy to all postgraduate students - instant access to world-leading researchers who will share their expertise and ideas with you
- Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors
You will only be able to apply for a PhD when you have received a letter from potential supervisors stating that they are willing to supervise your PhD thesis. You therefore need to initiate contact with faculty who are working on topics that you are interested in and present them with a proposal of no more than 2000 words.
Careers
Below are some examples of initial jobs undertaken by Politics and International Relations postgraduates who studied with us in recent years.
Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
| Job Title | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Assistant Professor Associate lecturer Associate Teaching and Research Assistant Author CEO Social Enterprise Chief Inspector (Operations)- Police Officer Civil Servant (Director) Communications Officer Consultant Cover Supervisor Creative Kernow Desk Officer Environmental and institutional economist Head of Unit and Research Fellow Lecturer Lecturer in International Relations Lecturer in Political Theory Lecturer in Politics and International Relations Legislative Researcher Migration consultant Policy Officer Politics Lecturer Politics Lecturer Postdoctoral Fellow Post-doctoral research associate Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Programme Manager Research Fellow Research Fellow Senior Lecturer; Research Coordinator Senior Political Affairs Officer Senior Researcher Teaching Fellow Teaching Fellow University Teaching and Research Fellow |
3 Pillars Project |
