Applying for phds in international relations?

2

Hi all,
Im wondering if anyone is more enlightened about how to go about getting a phd in the social sciences. i wouldnt do it without full funding, but its hard to know where to start - finding a supervisor, having a detailed idea? i REALLY dont want to go into a career that has nothing to do with my interests but getting onto a phd seems almost impossible

Reply 1

eloiseh14

9

Original post

by thisisnotwinnie

Hi all,
Im wondering if anyone is more enlightened about how to go about getting a phd in the social sciences. i wouldnt do it without full funding, but its hard to know where to start - finding a supervisor, having a detailed idea? i REALLY dont want to go into a career that has nothing to do with my interests but getting onto a phd seems almost impossible

Are you currently a student (undergrad or masters ???) or have you graduated but taking a break from academia? Or are you about to start uni etc?

Reply 2

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

19

Original post

by thisisnotwinnie

Hi all,
Im wondering if anyone is more enlightened about how to go about getting a phd in the social sciences. i wouldnt do it without full funding, but its hard to know where to start - finding a supervisor, having a detailed idea? i REALLY dont want to go into a career that has nothing to do with my interests but getting onto a phd seems almost impossible

Hey!

Yeah starting a PhD journey can feel like a bit of a maze, especially in the social sciences where funding can be really competitive

A few things might help:

•

Start with your research interests: you don’t need a fully detailed proposal yet, but having a clear idea of the topic area you're passionate about is a good start. This will help when reaching out to potential supervisors

•

Look at uni websites and staff profiles to find researchers who are working in similar areas. You can send them an email introducing yourself, your academic background, and your research interests, and ask if they’re open to supervising or just offering a bit of advice? Maybe they could point you in the right direction!

•

For funding, check out doctoral training partnerships (DTPs) like those funded by the ESRC. They often cover tuition, a stipend, and sometimes research costs. Deadlines are usually early in the academic year (like Nov–Jan), so it’s good to start prepping soon if you're aiming for the following year

•

If you're not 100% sure yet, doing a master’s with a research focus can also help build towards a PhD and give you a better chance at securing funding (if you are an undergrad)

It definitely can feel daunting, but people do get fully funded PhDs, especially if your academic track record is strong and your research area is clearly defined.

Hope this helps & best of luck! 🙂

Gemma
Official LJMU Student Rep