In addition to our highly successful undergraduate level courses, the Department of Politics and International Studies has a lively postgraduate student community that forms an important part of our research culture. Students are regarded as valued members of the department, able to interact with research-active academic staff and post-doctoral fellows based on campus in Milton Keynes, as well as with other staff and students in the Social Science Faculty and its associated research centres. POLIS staff also contribute to the Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance (CCIG), a University designated Centre of Research Excellence.

Supervision

All postgraduate students are provided with two supervisors for the duration of their studies. Supervisors meet regularly with students, acting as academic advisors, providing guidance on research topics, on the skills needed to successfully complete a research degree, on planning research and on writing a thesis. They read and discuss students’ work, helping to develop ideas and to encourage critical and independent thinking.

POLIS staff are specialists in a wide range of research interests and will consider supervising topics in a number of areas, including: international relations, global politics, feminist theory and practice, British politics and government, the theory and practice of democracy and citizenship, security studies (including issues of borders and migration), environmental politics and justice, and sub-Saharan African politics and development.

Next Steps

If you need further details or wish to discuss a prospective application for any of our research degrees please contact Dr Richard Heffernan (POLIS Postgraduate Director). More general information about research degrees at the Open University, including assessment guidelines, fees, funding opportunities and how to formally apply, is given in the Research Degrees Prospectus.

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