How to apply
Application procedure
Disciplinary PhD programmes that are offered by the School for Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS):
Before applying to undertake PhD studies in SPAIS, prospective students should explore whether their proposed field of research is a 'good fit' with the SPAIS research areas and individual staff interests.
Please read the relevant prospectus entry and admissions statement carefully before making your application. Your completed online application should contain:
- Two academic references. References should comply with our standard requirements outlined on our guidance pages
- University degree certificates and transcripts to date (transcripts are documents showing your grades for individual units/essays/exams throughout your degree). Please provide documents from all previous undergraduate and postgraduate study.
- Your IELTS certificate or equivalent documentation to show that you meet the minimum language requirements detailed in Profile B.
- A 3,000 word research proposal (stating the aims and objectives of the research, detailing the research design and methods, and including a bibliography).
- A personal statement highlighting the motivation for applying for the course, and any relevant experience and/or skills (1-2 pages only).
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV) which might include details of other relevant work experience and qualifications to support your application (1-2 pages only).
Please note that your application is not considered complete until all of the above has been received.
Once your application has been submitted and checked it will be sent to potential supervisors for review. Please note that it can take a number of weeks to review an application and make a decision. Decisions will be published to you via the online application portal.
If you wish to commence a PhD starting in September 2024 you would generally need to have submitted your complete application before July 1st 2024. Earlier deadlines will apply for scholarship applications.
Please note that if you are wishing to commence your study at any time after September (such as January) this is only possible at the discretion of your supervisors.
Scholarships
If you are interested in being considered for any scholarships, we strongly advise that you submit your complete online application form for the relevant PhD programme well in advance of the advertised deadline. Please read through the eligibility criteria and application instructions carefully for each scholarship. You may be asked to complete the application form in a certain way or required to submit separate documents in order to be eligible for consideration.
Specify the scholarships that you wish to apply for by selecting the corresponding funding source drop-down list in your application form i.e. 'University of Bristol scholarship' (for Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships'), 'UK Research Council' (for ESRC/SWDTP scholarships) 'CSC-UoB joint PhD scholarship'(for China Scholarship Council awards) or 'other' and specify the award in the free text box. This will highlight to our admissions tutors which funding you wish to be considered for should you be made an offer of study on the programme.
SWDTP studentships
Applicants wishing to apply for 1+3 or +3 SWDTP ESRC-funding should apply to the relevant PhD programme directly and not the MRes or MSc Social Science Research Methods. This ensures that a research proposal is included in your application to enable us to consider whether we can offer suitable supervision.
Candidates who are awarded 1+3 funding will be required to apply to the related Master's programme as a condition of accepting the studentship and will then commence the PhD following successful completion of the Master's degree.
**Note: You must hold an offer from the University of Bristol before submitting the application documents for a SWDTP ESRC studentship.**
The SWDTP ESRC scholarship application is a two stage process;
- Submission of complete PhD program application (including all references) - Deadline for 24/25 is 12.00 (Noon) GMT Friday 15th December 2023
- Submission of completed SWDTP Student and Supervisor statements (PhD offer holders only) - Deadline for 24/25 is 12.00 (Noon) GMT Friday 12th January 2024
Apply online to PhD programmes in SPAIS
Find out about PhD Scholarships in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally hold a Masters degree with a grade of merit or above from a UK university (or the equivalent) and a minimum of a 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree (or the equivalent). International applicants whose first language is not English are required to meet the minimum language requirements outlined in Profile B. This is equivalent to a score of at least 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in other bands. Further information for international students wishing to apply is available from the University International Office.
Application assessment criteria
The criteria we use to assess applications and to decide whether or not to make a offer of a place include:
- The strength of your academic record
- The quality of your research proposal
- The strength of your references
- Whether the School can offer appropriate supervision
- Whether your project fits well with School research priorities
Visits and interviews
There is no formal interview process, but the School welcomes you to arrange a visit to see the Postgraduate Research Director, the Postgraduate Research Admissions Officer, and your potential supervisors if you wish.
You may be required to attend an interview if you are shortlisted for funding.
If you are admitted, we strongly recommend that you do visit the School and meet with your proposed supervisors prior to commencing study.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions Officer for SPAIS:
Dr John Downer
11 Priory Road, Clifton, Bristol
BS8 1TU
Tel: +44 (0)117 45 51577
E-mail: spais-pgr@bristol.ac.uk