Public Administration and PolicyPhD

The Department of Public Administration and Policy (DPAP) has a vibrant and close-knit international research community of early-career and established researchers. Our engaged scholarship is theoretically-driven, and demonstrates a commitment to methodological pluralism, with particular strengths in qualitative, collaborative and participative approaches.

Established in August 2023, DPAP leads the study of (inter)national, regional and local public administration and public policy.

The Department is home to the Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) which has been undertaking ground-breaking research, teaching, and policy advice on local democracy, public services and co-production for over 60 years, and the Birmingham Leadership Institute (BLI), established in 2021 to research and develop the leadership required to make progress on the most pressing contemporary challenges. Study with us to learn from leading experts on public administration, public management and public policy, and join our lively and enthusiastic family of students and alumni from the UK and across the world.

The School of Government, 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.

You will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of research events with staff and other doctoral students, including a PGR Colloquium and departmental speaker series.

You can study for a PhD full-time or part-time, and in person or by Distance Learning.

You will meet your supervisor approximately monthly (bi-monthly for part-time students) over the course of your study. 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 each year.

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. 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

If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded although scholarships are available.

Our Department of Public Administration and Policy is renowned for its vibrant research community and distinctive focus on tackling complex societal challenges through four core research themes.

These include:

• Governance, institutional design, and leadership, where we explore multi-level governance, performance management, and political leadership
• Co-production, democratic and social innovation, and inclusion, which examines how policies and services can be designed collaboratively to empower communities
• Policy-making, implementation, and service delivery, focusing on the practices of policy actors and the impact of digitalisation
• Smart, sustainable, and creative approaches to policy challenges, which investigates innovative responses like smart cities to foster sustainable governance.

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.

Find an Advertised PhD

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

Find a supervisor

If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies 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 can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.

View the research interests of academic staff within the Department of Public Administration and Policy.

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

Applicants for degrees by research should have at least a good Honours degree or equivalent academic qualification.

You will need to show evidence of satisfactory progress with your thesis, and have provided an acceptable programme of further research. MPhil students may apply to transfer to a PhD by meeting similar conditions.

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
• International scholarships rewarding outstanding achievement and helping more overseas students to study with us. 

Central University scholarships may cover fees and maintenance, with additional funding available for conferences and research expenses. Applicants are encouraged to explore these opportunities, consult the Postgraduate Funding Database, and review deadlines on the relevant webpages.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer

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.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

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

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst 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.

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

A strong PhD research proposal should include a clear title and abstract, background to the topic, central research questions, and a concise review of key debates. It should outline the theoretical framework, justify the chosen methodology, and highlight the project's original contribution to the field.

A timeline and chapter outline, along with references, are also essential. Proposals should meet word limits tailored for funding applications (typically 1,000 words) and demonstrate alignment with departmental expertise and supervisory capacity.

Careers Network

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.