Politics and International Relations: Fully funded PhD Studentship in the ESRC Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences WGSSS Politics, International Relations and Area Studies pathway (RS895)

Funding Providers: ESRC WGSSS 50%; Swansea University 50% 

Subject Areas: ESRC WGSSS Studentship Politics, International Relations and Area Studies Pathway 

Start Date: 1st October 2026 (enrolment open from mid-September)  **(Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.) 

Supervisor: Dr Kris Stoddart, k.d.stoddart@swansea.ac.uk

This studentship is an ‘open’ award. Applicants should consider approaching a potential supervisor before submitting their application to confirm that there is appropriate supervisory capacity within the University and to discuss their draft application. Information on the research interests of our staff can be found on the Swansea University webpages. Short descriptions of each accredited pathway are available on the ESRC WGSSS website. The Swansea-based representative for the pathway, Dr Kris Stoddart, k.d.stoddart@swansea.ac.uk, might be able to advise you. 

Aligned programme of study: PhD Politics, International Relations and Area Studies

Project Description: 

The Global Language Based Area Studies/Politics/International Relations pathway at Swansea University is based within the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and International Relations (PPIR). It aligns with our PhD program in Politics and International Relations, and encompasses a variety of substantive foci and research approaches.  

Our breadth of specialisms incorporates (i) international relations, area studies, and international development; (ii) comparative politics, including sub-national politics and the study of political identity; (iii) political communication, with a particular focus on digital politics; and (iv) political and social philosophy. Our research crosses boundaries with development studies, media and communication, and philosophy. We are intellectually pluralist, use a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and our geographical coverage includes Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. We place a premium on connecting scholarly work to real world impact and seek to disseminate our findings and co-produce change with partners in Welsh and UK government and parliament, global policy advocates including the International Drug Policy Consortium, and a range of local and international civil society actors.  

PPIR is the base for four research groups that bring together members of staff and PhD students to exchange ongoing research, discuss cutting-edge publications, and explore opportunities for funding and collaboration. These research groups are: The Global Drug Policy Observatory, the Political Analysis and Governance Research Group, the Philosophy Research Group, and the International Studies, Conflict and Security Research Group. We are also aligned with Faculty level Research Institutes focusing on Geo-political Challenges, Security and Resilience, Public Policy, Digital Economy and Society, and Climate Action.  We welcome proposals from scholars wishing to develop knowledge and seek change-making applications across these areas of research.

To receive WGSSS studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters from a UK academic research organisation. Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply. 

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. For further information, please see the English Language Requirements - Swansea University.  

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.

Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page. 

The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees and an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). Students also have access to a Research Training Support Grant 

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) 

To apply, please complete the entire application form.

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS895 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

1.In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  

• the RS Code, RS895 and 

• the scholarship title.   

2. Please leave 'Proposed Supervisor' field blank 

3. Please leave 'Research Project' (if applicable) blank 

4. In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 

5. Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:  

• Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.  
• Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).  
• Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.  

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• WGSSS_Studentship_Application_Form_2026.pdf 
• CV 
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 
• Two academic or professional on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable)
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission

Assessment:    

Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions  

Duration of study:    

The duration of study varies from 3.5 to 4.5 years full time (or part time equivalent).      

The duration study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs of the student which will be assessed by completing a Development Needs Analysis. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.    

Research in practice placement:    
All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3 months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.     

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co-funding of a scholarship project is applicable.

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.