Public Administration and Policy PhD

Our PhD in Public Administration and Policy offers you the chance to conduct pioneering research, develop essential skills, and thrive in a supportive academic community. With personalised support from leading academics, you will develop the expertise necessary to undertake excellent and impactful research in the fields of public administration, policy and governance. Get ready for influential roles in academia, government, civil society organisations, and beyond.

For further details and examples of doctoral research projects, please check our Staff directory and Research page, and current PhD student profiles.

We welcome PhD students from all over the world, conducting fascinating research in a wide range of topics in the fields of public administration, policy and governance.

The Department of Public Administration and Policy (DPAP) produces world-leading research, teaching, and impact in public administration, policy and governance. DPAP has a vibrant and close-knit international research community of pre- and post-doctoral early-career researchers, and internationally recognised leading academics. Our engaged scholarship is theoretically-driven, and demonstrates a commitment to methodological pluralism, with particular strengths in qualitative, collaborative and participative approaches.

DPAP has a proud tradition of fostering knowledge exchange across research and practice, and informing change across diverse levels of governance, types of stakeholders, and global contexts. Academics at DPAP have connections with a wide range of local authorities and other governmental, voluntary sector and research bodies in the UK and abroad.

With a strong commitment to impactful research, the department offers tailored supervision and fosters collaboration between students, staff, and external partners, driving forward innovative solutions to today’s pressing public policy issues. We are committed to inclusive research leadership, with our PhD students actively contributing to the Department’s research life and community.

Monthly PhD seminars offer a supportive environment for presenting projects and learning from each other. In addition, the Department organises a range of other research activities, including writing retreats, ‘work-in-progress’ sessions, and ad hoc thematic sessions, that bring PhD students and staff together.

DPAP is part of the School of Government, alongside the Department of Political Science and International and International Studies. The School is home to more than 80 full-time academic staff, more than 1,200 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, and more than 70 doctoral researchers. At the School level, you will receive research training and have the opportunity to join PGR talks, social events and the annual School of Government PGR Conference.

For further details and examples of doctoral research projects, please check our Staff directory and Research page, and current PhD student profiles.

We welcome applications from prospective students wishing to study both part-time and full-time. Part-time students should expect to spend the equivalent of 2 days per week on their research. One day per week during the first year will normally involve attendance at postgraduate modules. While full-time students should be able to devote the full working week to their studies.

You can study for a PhD in Public Administration and Policy in person on campus, or via distance learning. Distance learners will usually be expected to attend a one-week visit to the University (pending extenuating circumstances). In most cases the visit will take place during the College of Social Sciences induction week (usually the last week of September).

PhD students will be assigned two supervisors (a first and second supervisor) with whom you will meet on a monthly basis to discuss the progress of your project. Supervisors are experienced in managing the research process and are chosen to complement your area of interest.

You will discuss your research with a panel annually, including your supervisor and another member of staff. This process provides an important opportunity to present progress on your research and to have a wider discussion about your work.

You will normally be expected to submit a PhD thesis of approximately 80 000 words in length. Your supervisor will read and comment on drafts of your thesis before it is finally submitted. An external and an internal examiner (who will not be your supervisor) will then examine it, and will meet with you for a ‘viva voce’ examination. They will judge whether your thesis demonstrates:

• Knowledge of the relevant academic literature
• Skill in use of research methods
• Independent investigation
• Clear presentation of information
• Arguments presented in a coherent and appropriate form

An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project. If you want to pursue your own research project, this is usually self-funded although scholarships are available (see ‘Funding options’ section below).

DPAP welcomes applications that align with the academic interests of members of staff in the Department. We recommend that you investigate our staff research interests before applying, and contact the Director of Postgraduate Research for further information.

Find a supervisor

If are proposing your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the profiles of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.

When you apply, you are encouraged to suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. It is good practice to contact potential supervisors before submitting a formal application.

Please do not email multiple members of staff with the same query. If you are unsure of who to contact as a potential supervisor, please contact the DPAP Director of Postgraduate Research, Dr Timea Nochta (t.nochta@bham.ac.uk).

Find an Advertised PhD

Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.

For those whose first language is not English, an IELTS Certificate is required. You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

• by holding an English language qualification to the right level - IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band
• by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

Please note that a good honours degree is a minimum requirement. Our successful candidates are likely to have excellent undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Typically the latter will be a taught masters degree, including a dissertation.

Besides formal qualifications, a key factor determining whether the Department decides to accept a candidate is the quality of their research proposal and its relevance to our own interests. If you have relevant professional experience or qualifications, these will also be taken into account when considering your application. Please contact the DPAP Director of Postgraduate Research for more details.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Funding options

A range of funding opportunities are available to for prospective PhD students, including:

• Region and country-specific scholarships
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) scholarships via the Midlands Graduate School
• Central University scholarships

You can find a full list of available scholarships and finding opportunities on the School's Doctoral Research Scholarships and funding page.

Scholarships are highly competitive, with limited funding available. It is essential that all applications for scholarships are carefully prepared, and include all necessary documentation. Incomplete applications cannot be considered for scholarship funding.

The majority of funding opportunities have deadlines early in the new year so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

For further information on tuition fees, self-funding and/or additional scholarship schemes please follow the link below.

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we encourage you to apply by 1st June. While you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in January so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Research proposal

If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions, a concise literature review of the key existing debates in the field relating to your topic, with appropriate references to key academic sources, the proposed theoretical framework for the project (including discussion of potential alternative approaches where appropriate), and the methods you intend to use. Your proposal should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.

Important note on word limits

For the purposes of your application for a PhD place, admissions allow candidates to submit PhD Research Proposal up to 2,500 words (excluding the bibliography). However, the PhD Research Proposal word limit for both the ESRC and Central University scholarship is 1,000 words (plus one page of references). If you are considering applying for funding, we recommend that you limit your PhD research proposal for the PhD place to approximately 1,000 words to avoid the need to edit the proposal significantly for funding competition purposes.

What Makes a Strong Proposal?

Your research proposal should present a compelling case for your project. Key elements include:

• Title and Abstract: Provide a concise overview of your research topic and objectives.
• Background and Context: Outline the context of your research and situate it within relevant debates and literature.
• Central Research Questions: Clearly define the questions your research will address.
• Theoretical Framework and Methodology: Justify your theoretical approach and explain the methods you will use.
• Original Contribution: Highlight how your project will add new insights to your field.
• Timeline and Chapter Outline: Include a detailed timeline and a proposed structure for your thesis.

You will gain advanced research skills and expertise, opening doors to roles in academia, government, and the private and voluntary sectors. Personalised training and extensive career support from DPAP, the School of Government and the wider University will ensure you are equipped for leadership positions and real-world impact in your chosen field.

Careers Network

At Birmingham, we prepare our researchers to make an impact across every sector of society. Our PhD graduates are global change-makers: advancing knowledge, shaping policy, leading industries, and educating future generations.

You'll benefit from dedicated careers support tailored to your unique paths. Our expert team of Careers Advisers, including a dedicated postgraduate research adviser, offer one-to-one guidance to help researchers navigate career decisions both within and beyond academia.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.