Queen's University Belfast

About the project

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Public Policy

• Public Policy: School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics | PhD
• Overview
• Course content
• Entry Requirements
• Fees and Funding
• Apply

Overview

The PhD in Public Policy at Queen’s University provides an exciting and rewarding programme of independent research with an established team of academics working in the discipline and with substantial experience in policy and practice. The PhD in Public Policy programme is managed within the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, where scholarship and education encourage innovative and critically incisive ways of thinking about a wide range of problems that citizens and governments encounter in the modern world. We pride ourselves on our global outlook within the School. This is reflected in our wide range of international partners and in the diverse nationalities represented across the staff and student bodies. The School hosts international visitors and speakers throughout each academic year and students benefit from the wide range of national and international topics being discussed and researched within the school. The PhD in Public Policy programme is an important element of the new Centre for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) in QUB. PhD students undertaking the programme with work closely with Fellows of the Centre and benefit from their international networks and resources. They will also undertake Modules in their first year from the MSc in International Public Policy programme, including research methods. About the Programme The aim of the programme is to produce PhD students who are fully-fledged independent researchers making a contribution to the growing disciplines of academic public policy and public administration. From the outset, students are given encouragement to engage in relevant training, disseminate their work at seminars and conferences, and to aim to publish their work in high-quality locations. The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word thesis. Some of the existing research in the CPPA concerns: - Knowledge brokering between academia and public sector organisations - Public sector reform and its implications - The effects of AI and digitalisation on public services - Changing modes of government transparency - Environmental policy post-Brexit Important and pioneering work has been published by members of staff and major projects of research are ongoing. In addition, the School is committed to the supervision of high-quality research students in all areas. Scholarships: Some scholarship funding may be available via the following doctoral training programmes (DTP): NINE DTP – Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership. Please see: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/ for further details AHRC Landscape Awards Please see: https://www.ukri.org/publications/doctoral-landscape-awards/ for further details DfE Studentship – Department for the Economy Postgraduate Studentship scheme Please see: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/department-economy-postgraduate-studentship-scheme for further details. Further PhD opportunities are available through the LINAS Doctoral Training Programme Please see https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/institute-for-peace-security-justice/Study/linas/ for more details Research Resources The Politics and International Relations seminar takes place weekly during teaching term for staff and students and PhD students are encouraged to present at these. Mode of study/duration Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis following three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent). Community We provide a challenging intellectual atmosphere for our postgraduates. You’ll see our thriving research culture yourself, through visits and talks, conferences and workshops, reading groups and the staff seminar series. Our PhD student body reflects a growing and diverse global community giving you near unrivalled opportunities to make new friends, debate aspects of your research with a substantial peer group, and begin making those networks that will stand you in good stead throughout you careers. The postgraduate community within the School is lively, energetic and diverse and, contribute enormously to the research culture of the school. It includes many of our own graduates, as well as graduates of British, Irish, US and other international universities. Careers Employability is at the heart of the Queen’s curriculum. Key to this is the delivery of a programme that fully equips all of its students to succeed in their careers and give them a competitive edge in the graduate job market. Social science graduates are in demand for their critical thinking skills as they are equipped to question received views and explore new approaches and solutions. Graduates of the School have found success in a wide range of careers including journalism, PR, marketing, policy research, social work, teaching, civil service and government posts. Where possible we stay in touch so that the link and relationships we engender remain long after a student has left the School.

Subject Summary

You’ll become part of our vibrant postgraduate research culture, focused on areas including; • Political parties, elections, and deliberative democracy • Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, international political economy, gender studies, governance. • Contemporary Irish Political History •Security, Terrorism and International Relations. • Political Theory: contemporary republicanism, ethics of work, recognition, toleration, freedom of expression, Critical Theory, emotions and politics, green political thought. You’ll see our thriving research culture yourself, through visits and talks, conferences and workshops, reading groups and the staff seminar series.

Public Policy Highlights

• Queen’s is ranked in the top 175 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2026).
• Ours is an excellent department in which to pursue a wide range of postgraduate research projects in close collaboration with academic supervisors, leading to the degree of PhD. Our PhD community comprises over 80 part time and full-time research students whose research is facilitated by a range of supportive research centres including: • The Centre for Public Policy and Administration • The Democracy Unit • Centre for Gender in Politics • Centre for the Study of Ethnic Conflict • Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action • Queen’s Institute for Peace, Security and Justice
• HAPP has a flourishing programme of events, seminars, and research groups complements our postgraduate courses and doctoral supervision.
• Queen’s ranked 5th in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026).
• Queen’s currently has over 3800 international students from 112 different countries (Queen’s Planning Office, 2025).

Key Facts

• The PhD in Public Policy is aligned with the work of the new Centre for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) at QUB.

Research Information

Associated Research Contemporary Irish Political History Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, public opinion, gender studies, governance. Security, Terrorism and International Relations Philosophy, with a particular emphasis on Applied Ethics, 19th Century European Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Epistemology, Political Philosophy, and the Philosophy of Religion. Political Theory: contemporary republicanism, ethics of work, recognition, toleration, freedom of expression, Critical Theory, emotions and politics, green political thought.

Career Prospects

Introduction For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175 Development Officer: Aileen Carson will be happy to provide further information on your research area career prospects.

Prof Muiris MacCarthaigh Professor of Politics and Public Policy, Director of the Centre for Public HAPP Prof MacCarthaigh’s research covers a wide variety of topics in public policy and public administration. He has particular expertise on the Irish case. Please visit here: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/happ/subject-area/politics/people/ to see all of our staff profiles and listed research interests. Email: happresearch@qub.ac.uk

Course structure

You’ll become part of our vibrant postgraduate research culture, focused on areas including; • Political parties, elections, and deliberative democracy • Governance and Public Policy, with a particular emphasis on European Union politics, international political economy, gender studies, governance. • Contemporary Irish Political History • Security, Terrorism and International Relations. • Political Theory: contemporary republicanism, ethics of work, recognition, toleration, freedom of expression, Critical Theory, emotions and politics, green political thought. You’ll see our thriving research culture yourself, through visits and talks, conferences and workshops, reading groups and the staff seminar series.

Learning and Teaching

• -

Entrance requirements

Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country .

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs .

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC

Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC

England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC

EU Other 3 | £23,600

International | £23,600

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees .

Public Policy costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Bench fees

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students .

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .

Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here .

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Download Postgraduate Prospectus

Research areas