Politics & Contemporary History MPhil/PhD

This MPhil/PhD program offers an exceptional opportunity for in-depth research into politics, policy-making, and government in Britain's recent past, making it ideal for students passionate about understanding the intricacies of British political life. You'll delve into broad areas including local politics, society and activism, economic policy, the City of London, central government, foreign policy, political parties, and Whitehall.

Initially, you'll be registered for an MPhil, where you'll collaborate with your supervisors to identify your unique training needs. This leads to a personalized schedule drawing on foundational and advanced courses from the King’s Doctoral College, the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS-DTP), and the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network, all designed to sharpen your academic abilities for your specific research project. After about 12 months, you'll demonstrate your readiness for PhD upgrade by submitting a substantial document proving you've identified an original research problem and possess the skills to tackle it, followed by a formal review meeting. Once upgraded to the PhD, you'll receive continuous expert advice and guidance from your two academic supervisors, culminating in the submission of a thesis up to 100,000 words within four years for full-time students or seven years for part-time.

Focus areas
Learning outcomes: Students will develop the ability to identify an original and interesting research problem and gain the skills and expertise to tackle it effectively. The program also hones academic skills, covering research training, research methods, and wider issues like publication strategy.