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Social and Policy Sciences PhD

Most students complete this programme in 6 to 8 years part-time

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Deepen your knowledge and research skills for an academic or professional career that focuses on social and public policy.

This course is delivered by the Department of Social & Policy Sciences. Our department is internationally recognised with a strong focus on policy and practice, and a commitment to contribute to social wellbeing and social justice.

We offer supervisory expertise in four disciplines:

  • International Development
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Social work

Our PhDs are not formally assigned a discipline and successful candidates can describe their PhD to reflect its main research area (e.g. PhD in Social Policy; PhD in International Development).

The programme will enable you to contribute a significant piece of research to the academic community through a written thesis (typically up to 90,000 words).

Read more about what our current students are researching

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 6 to 8 years. You cannot take less than 4 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 8 years.

You can start this programme in September or October.

You may also start mid-year, subject to agreement with your supervisor and the Doctoral College.

Note: the timescales quoted above are based on part-time study at 50% of the full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE).

How long you take to complete the programme will depend on whether you study at 0.5 FTE, 0.6 FTE or 0.8 FTE.

If you study at 0.5 FTE, the minimum period is 4 years and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 8 years.

If you study at 0.6 FTE, the minimum period is 3 years 4 months and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 6 years 8 months.

If you study at 0.8 FTE, the minimum period is 2 years 6 months and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 5 years.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

Academic milestones

  1. Registration
  2. Induction
  3. Candidature
  4. Confirmation
  5. Research
  6. Writing up
  7. Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
  8. Submission for examination
  9. Examination (Viva Voce)
  10. Examiners report
  11. Final submission of thesis / portfolio
  12. Graduation

Programme content

Learning

  • Doctoral skills online
  • Doctoral skills workshop
  • Research project
  • Supervisory team

Research content

Students carry out a supervised programme of research at the leading edge of their chosen subject. From an initial proposal, students design and conduct a research programme under the direction of one or two members of our academic staff. The PhD research is written up as a substantial thesis and assessed in an extensive oral examination. You can choose to study any topic in which we have research expertise. Details of research staff expertise and interests are available on individual staff pages.

We have particular strengths in international and comparative research across the globe in all our disciplines. Our staff have published research on the UK, Europe, South and South-East Asia, East and West Africa, and Latin America, among others. Our staff, and research students, conduct research across disciplinary boundaries, and frequently work with colleagues from other disciplines in the department, as well as with colleagues in politics, psychology, economics.

Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our MyDoctoralDevelopment workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Read more about professional development support

Assessment

Assessment methods

  • Thesis
  • Viva Voce

Assessment description

Most research students who ‘do a PhD’ register in the first instance as probationer for the programme of PhD. Confirmation of PhD registration is subject to your passing an assessment process, which normally involves submission of written work and an oral examination.

Candidates are expected to carry out supervised research at the leading edge of their chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis.

The final stage of the PhD programme is the oral or viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A strong academic background in a field relevant to the proposed research, specifically:

  • A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent), or
  • A master’s degree with a minimum of a merit classification (or equivalent)

Applicants who do not hold a master’s degree may be asked to complete a master’s programme or to attend some/all of the units of one of our master’s programmes whilst undertaking the PhD programme.

Some academic-led research projects may have further requirements which will be stipulated in individual project advertisements.

English Language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to meet the minimum English language requirements before you can start your course.

You’ll need to provide us with a valid result in an approved English language test, for example:

  • Duolingo: 130 overall with sub scores of Speaking 120, Writing 130, Reading 120, Listening 115
  • Academic IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any component
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken before 21 January 2026): 100 overall with no less than 24 in any element
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken after 20 January 2026): 5.0 overall with no less than 4.5 in any component

See the required scores for all the English language tests we accept.

You must have taken your English language qualification within 24 months of your course start date.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you might be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

You don't normally need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency if:

  • you're a UK national
  • you're a national of a majority English-speaking country, as recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and you’ve lived and been educated in that country for a significant period
  • you hold a degree taught in English awarded within two years of your course start date

References

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from your most recent place of study.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Social and Policy Sciences PhD

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students. If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

You will need to budget for living expenses and, if you don’t already live in Bath, your travel/relocation costs.

The University has developed some resources to help you understand typical costs of living in Bath. Please see the example postgraduate budget or the example budget for an overseas student intending to bring family to Bath.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will also need to budget for visa fees and the Immigration Healthcare surcharge (IHS). See the ‘Immigration requirements’ section below for more information.

Some PhD projects necessitate payment of a Training Support Fee (sometimes known as a Bench Fee) in addition to tuition fees. Your intended PhD project supervisor will be able to advise if this will apply to your intended PhD project.

Find out more about Training Support Fees (TSF)

To note:

Your tuition fees will also depend on whether you study at 50% of the full-time equivalent (0.5 FTE), 60% of the full-time equivalent (0.6 FTE) or 80% of the full-time equivalent (0.8 FTE).

How to pay

Funding options

Find funding for Doctoral research

Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.

Paying your tuition fees

Application information

  • Programme title
    Social and Policy Sciences PhD
  • Final award
    PhD
  • Mode of study
    Part-time
  • Course code
    RHSP-APM02
  • Department
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Application deadline

    3 months prior to the intended start date (for international applicants) or 2 months prior to the intended start date (for home applicants). For example, for an end of September start, the deadline is 30 June (international) and 31 July (home).

  • Regulator

Applicant profile

A competitive applicant profile will show:

  • Strong academic credentials
  • Your readiness to be an independent PhD researcher
  • A clear understanding of the proposed research project, its intended methods and its aims
  • Alignment between the applicant’s research interests/experience and the supervisor’s or department’s research priorities

Application guidance

You can apply for one of our pre-defined research projects or develop your own proposal. Our academic staff are always open to hear how your research can build on their existing work or about a new topic in their current subject areas.

You must identify at least one (up to two) intended lead supervisor(s) in your application. We cannot consider your application if no supervisor has been named.

To increase your chances of success, we strongly recommend that you contact your intended supervisor(s) ahead of submitting your application to make them aware of your interest and to discuss the intended research project. If you are interested in a pre-defined research project, it is important to check that the project is a good fit for you and that it can be undertaken on a part-time basis. If you intend to apply with your own project idea, you will need to ensure that your research interests are compatible with the expertise of your intended supervisor(s) and that they have capacity to take on new PhD students.

If you are applying with your own project idea (as opposed to applying for a pre-defined/advertised research project), you should submit a 1000-word research proposal with your application. Within your proposal you should explain the knowledge gap you have identified, how you intend to fill it, and it should give an indicative timeline of work for discussion with your potential supervisor.

In all cases, in your personal statement, you will need to tell us why you are interested in pursuing independent research, quote examples of your undergraduate or master's research projects, and explain how a PhD fits with your career plans.

See our guide about how to apply for doctoral study

Applicants intending to apply for ESRC funding through the SWDTP competition ONLY:

You must develop your own project idea and submit a Student Statement Form (Annex A) with your application. See our guidance on applying for ESRC funding for more information. If you wish to study for both an MRes and a PhD (the 1 + 3), you should apply for the PhD but indicate on the Application Form that you also wish to study for an MRes. Progression from the MRes to the PhD programme is dependent on achieving an average of 60% in the taught units/modules. A condition of ESRC funding is that 60% is also achieved in the dissertation component.

Selection process

When your application is received, it will be forwarded to your intended supervisor(s). If they are interested in pursuing your application, they will ask the Doctoral Admissions team to review your application. This will include assessing your tuition fee status, checking that your application is complete and confirming that you meet the minimum entry criteria as quoted in the ‘Entry requirements’ section above.

The outcome of the Doctoral Admissions team review will be sent to your intended supervisor(s) who will then decide if they wish to invite you to interview. Interviews will typically be conducted online by the prospective supervisor(s) and an independent member of academic staff or the Director of Studies.

If you are applying to one of our funding competitions, there may be further shortlisting and decision stages which will be competition specific.

It is important to remember that PhD places are competitively awarded and your application will be considered as a whole including the quality of all your uploaded documents and your references as well as your ability to meet entry requirements and demonstrate relevant research experience/potential.

Immigration requirements

If you are an international student, you can find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK.

You should note that the part-time Student visa has restrictions which include, but are not limited to, prohibiting you from bringing dependents with you, undertaking any paid or unpaid work in the UK (including placements) or working remotely for an overseas company whilst in the UK. Find out more about the types of Student visa.

For additional support please contact the Student Immigration Service for matters related to student visas and immigration.

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