Information here applies to all applicants for our PhD programmes (PhD Politics, PhD Sociology, PhD East Asian Studies), who have been made an offer of a place within the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies. 

If you have been accepted as a SWDTP funded 1+3 student you will be completing the MSc in Social Science Research Methods before moving onto the PhD programme. Visit the taught postgraduate pages for information on Welcome Week and registration.

If you have any specific questions about the process please email spais-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk.  

Registration 

All students commencing in September who have accepted an unconditional offer (via the online application system) will be emailed with registration information in August. You can also find registration information on the University's new students pages.

For students commencing in September 2024, a timetable of local events will be published here as venues and dates are confirmed. 

• All new students must first register online following the guidance on this website http://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/new/before-you-arrive/register/. Registration will open in August 2024.
• If you are subject to immigration control you will need to Book an appointment to complete a student document check (right to study) when you arrive in the UK.
• You will not be fully registered as a student until you have activated your UCard. If you are staying in a hall of residence, you should be able to collect your UCard on arrival. If you are staying in private accommodation, you will need to make an appointment to collect your UCard from the UCard collection hub. More details on how to activate your UCard or make an appointment to collect your UCard will be available before the start of term.

Welcome Week

University Welcome activities will take place alongside the registration period in the week commencing 9th September 2024. Details of the School and Faculty's induction programme will be circulated via email in early September.

To complement the  School and Faculty Welcome events, a range of induction activities will also be arranged by the University of Bristol Students Union, the Bristol Doctoral College and the University of Bristol Global Lounge.

A collaborative welcome programme of community-building events for all students will be available available through the Welcome App 

Seminar Timetable

Timetables for the first teaching block seminars are normally available shortly after registration.  See the University's key academic dates for details of when teaching will run in 2024/25.

All new PhD students will be automatically enrolled on the 3 mandatory core research training units in their first year. Part time PhD students would take these units over the first two years.

• Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences
• Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences
• Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences    

These units can provide you with the necessary skills to support you during your research, as well as transferable skills which may help with employment after you have finished your Doctorate. 

If you have covered the material taught in these units previously you can apply for an exemption.