MPhil/PhD programme

The Institute has a large PhD programme, with students working on a variety of projects using a wide range of interdisciplinary approaches. All academic staff are actively interested in supervising PhD students and available to discuss potential projects. ISS has an outstanding record in winning funding for its students. Our former students have also achieved success in academic and non-academic careers.

The MPhil/PhD programme is oriented to the production of an original thesis in the range of 100,000 words (PhD) or 60,000 words (MPhil). While the thesis is the focus, students are normally expected to undertake specialised training modules (substantive or methods) appropriate to their topic, as well as generic skills workshops offered by the Graduate School. They are also expected to play an active part in the Institute’s research environment which includes the weekly seminar series and the senior Postgraduate Symposium chaired by a member of staff.

The MPhil to PhD review is normally held at the end of the first year of study, and is based on the student’s written work (a literature review and research design).

Students seeking ESRC funding will normally have to first undertake the recognised Masters in Research Methods (MARM) before they can start the MPhil/PhD. The Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) doctoral awards scheme also requires most candidates to have, or be completing, a Masters degree.