PhD in Government..in UK????

Birmingham uni
Most unis would class this in 'political science' or similar

The thesis title matters much more than the broad box check exercise you do when you apply for a PhD

Reply 2

artful_lounger

21

The subject of "government" is usually called (or subsumed by) the term "politics" in the UK. There are innumerable departments of politics in the UK, many of which have research in comparative government etc. The PhD in politics at LSE is actually offered by the department of government there, and their politics programmes were known, unitl about a year ago, as "government" (e.g. PhD in government, BSc/MSc in government, etc).

Generally speaking, the "name" of the PhD is pretty much irrelevant compared to the content of the associated PhD project, and/or what research the department through which you will be supervised for the PhD specialises in. The PhD is just a "shell" for your own research, which may be in some area which could be called government, or anything else - whether you do this in a department called "government" or one called "politics" wouldn't make a difference to the actual research you're doing provided there is a supervisor able to supervise you on that area.

In short, just look at politics departments and identify which faculty do research in the area you are interested in (presumably comparative government). I would note if your area of interest is actually in political theory you may want to look at possible some philosophy departments specialising in political philosophy as well.

Reply 3

Adam_pir

OP

14

Thank you for the information.

But I am very interested in the #title of the program. Therefore, I am looking #specifically for "PhD in Government". Than, I can write it in my CV : "PhD in Government"!

So, in this case, there is only one PhD program in Government which is at University of Essex?????
Thanks

Reply 4

Original post by Adam_pir

Thank you for the information.

But I am very interested in the #title of the program. Therefore, I am looking #specifically for "PhD in Government". Than, I can write it in my CV : "PhD in Government"!

So, in this case, there is only one PhD program in Government which is at University of Essex?????
Thanks

You likely wont put "PhD in government" on your CV, It doesn't work the same way as undergrad or masters, you would put the title of your thesis which is on your viva which will definitely not be "PhD in Government".

what particular field are you hoping to research in?

You'll put down something like
2020-2024 University of Random, PhD researcher
Full thesis title
-key findings:
-Papers published as a result of research:

Original post by Adam_pir

Thank you for the information.

But I am very interested in the #title of the program. Therefore, I am looking #specifically for "PhD in Government". Than, I can write it in my CV : "PhD in Government"!

So, in this case, there is only one PhD program in Government which is at University of Essex?????
Thanks

PhDs don't work that way. I have a PhD in International Relations, if I want to report it that way, I was in that department, though I suppose I could also call it Politics and International Studies, the official title of the academic unit. I only said IR for the first time last week though. I usually say I've got a PhD in Applied Ethics, or in Politics and Philosophy, sometimes I say it's in Ethical Policy Making. Almost never do I use the specific title printed on the spine, if people are interested in the detail I say I wrote a philosophically based critique of the UN's new policy on humanitarian intervention.

There's no such thing as a fixed PhD programme in the UK, it's a very narrow piece of research and as soon as you are summarising it as a title you use whatever words frame it usefully for your reader/listener.

You can find a place to write a PhD on some aspect of UK government in almost every university in the country, though you might prefer to find one where there are significant academics working in the area.

Reply 6

Adam_pir

OP

14

Sorry guys, at least so far, I do NOT agree with you.
I found ALL staff profiles , linkedin , CVs, write the title of the program..

For example,
PhD, politics, (Oxford)
MA, IR, Cambridge
BA, History, Reading

If I do a PhD in politics and my thesis topic was, for example، US foreign policy in the Middle East under President Trump، that does not mean that I hold (a PhD in US foreign policy in the Middle East under President Trump)!!!! No one write his/her PhD thesis title in linkedin or on staff profiles on universities websites..

The first step in registration ... when filling in the application is to choose the name of the program..
:smile:

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 7

Original post by Adam_pir

Sorry guys, at least so far, I do NOT agree with you.
I found ALL staff profiles , linkedin , CVs, write the title
For example,
PhD, politics, (Oxford)
MA, IR, Cambridge
BA, History, Reading

If I do a PhD in politics and my thesis topic was, for example، US foreign policy in the Middle East under President Trump، that This does not mean that I hold a PhD in US foreign policy in the Middle East under President Trump!!!!

The first step in registration ... when filling in the application is to choose the name of the program..
:smile:

Yes, we are all wrong (I am a current PhD researcher) and there are also PhD grads who have replied, clearly we dont have a clue.

You are right. Cheers for helping me understand, much appreciated.

Reply 8

FYI,
you should figure out the area of research that interests you, and what you want to dedicate 4 years of your life to then scope out potential supervisors who are experts and renowned in their area of expertise, and see if you have a good working rapport and can find a mutual interest in a research project, then apply.

What not to do: find out a ridiculously broad title which doesn't define your research and is purely there as an umbrella term for the application process from 1 random uni which may or may not have relevant expertise and then apply to that uni only.

Reply 9

Mr Wednesday

19

Original post by Adam_pir

Sorry guys, at least so far, I do NOT agree with you.
I found ALL staff profiles , linkedin , CVs, write the title of the program..

So when you start disagreeing with everyone who has been through the system already and actually has a PhD and a CV to put that qualification on you have to ask yourself ........ "am I cut out for research" :smile:

.

Reply 10

Adam_pir

OP

14

Original post by Mr Wednesday

So when you start disagreeing with everyone who has been through the system already and actually has a PhD and a CV to put that qualification on you have to ask yourself ........ "am I cut out for research" :smile:

.

"A difference of opinion is what makes horse racing and missionaries"

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 11

Mr Wednesday

19

Original post by Adam_pir

"A difference of opinion is what makes horse racing and missionaries"

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence".

John Adams

Original post by Adam_pir

Sorry guys, at least so far, I do NOT agree with you.
I found ALL staff profiles , linkedin , CVs, write the title of the program..

For example,
PhD, politics, (Oxford)
MA, IR, Cambridge
BA, History, Reading

If I do a PhD in politics and my thesis topic was, for example، US foreign policy in the Middle East under President Trump، that does not mean that I hold (a PhD in US foreign policy in the Middle East under President Trump)!!!! No one write his/her PhD thesis title in linkedin or on staff profiles on universities websites..

The first step in registration ... when filling in the application is to choose the name of the program..
:smile:

Do you understand the words 'nuance', or 'relevance', or 'context'?

First of all, only one of your examples is about a PhD. Second, the individual might have done a PhD in a subject that is adequately covered by the word 'Politics'. Third, they may be applying for work in an area where the term 'Politics' is most useful to describe their research experience and fourthly, they may be looking for roles that aren't related to their PhD at all and they've decided to use the blandest word possible.

Reply 13

gjd800