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'll develop the expertise necessary to undertake excellent and impactful research 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 and policy. 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.
Our department 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.
The Department of Public Administration and Policy (DPAP) is a world-leading hub for collaboration and challenge in public administration and policy.
in the UK for research power in Politics and International Studies (REF 2021)
of our research rated world-leading (REF 2021)
As a PhD student, you will take a number of research training modules in your first year and may attend further courses offered by the Department or the University that enhance your personal discipline-specific and transferable skills.
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 but subject to change).
PhD students will be assigned two supervisors (a first and second supervisor) with whom you will meet on a monthly basis (bimonthly if part-time) 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 supervisors 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 supervisors 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 supervisors) will then examine it, and will meet with you for a ‘viva voce’ examination. They will judge whether your thesis demonstrates:
At Birmingham, you can apply for an advertised PhD or propose your own research. An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.
If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. 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 PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.
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.
View the research interests of academic staff within the Department of Public Administration and Policy.
in a relevant field or equivalent academic qualification
For those whose first language is not English, an IELTS Certificate is required. You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:
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 for either degree is the quality of their research proposal and its relevance to our own interests. Successful completion of a research thesis demands a high level of self-discipline, motivation and commitment to the subject of research. If you have relevant professional experience or qualifications, these will also be taken into account when considering your application. Please contact the the DPAP Director of Postgraduate Research, Dr Timea Nochta for more details.
The fees quoted below are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme .
Full-time. Fee to be confirmed
Part-time. Fee to be confirmed
A range of funding opportunities are available to for prospective PhD students, including:
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.
You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.
To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
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.
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.
As part of your PhD application, you may submit a research proposal of up to 2,500 words, excluding the bibliography. However, if you are planning to apply for funding through the ESRC or a Central University scholarship, the word limit is reduced to 1,000 words, plus one page for references.
To simplify the process and avoid extensive editing later, we recommend limiting your research proposal to approximately 1,000 words from the outset. This approach ensures your proposal is suitable both for the PhD application and any funding competitions.
Your research proposal should present a compelling case for your project. Key elements include:
Funding bodies often have strict word limits. Adhering to the 1,000-word guideline not only simplifies future applications but also demonstrates a clear, focused approach to your research. Additionally, proposals should show a strong alignment with the expertise within your chosen department and the capacity of potential supervisors.
By following this guidance, you’ll be well-positioned to craft a proposal that meets academic standards and maximizes your chances of securing funding.
Our PhD in Public Administration and Policy offers an exceptional opportunity to influence change across diverse levels of governance, types of stakeholders, and global contexts.
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.
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.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.
We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
