Development Studies, PhD: Fees & Entry Requirements at Swansea University, UK

Development Studies, PhD

UK

5

What will I learn?

A PhD or MPhil in Development Studies at Swansea enables you to pursue a substantial project led by your own passions and interests. It represents a highly respected qualification which can present a pathway to a career in academia, or widen your scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector. The PhD takes three years full-time or six years part-time, and the MPhil takes two years full-time or four years part-time. You submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words for PhD assessment and 60,000 words for MPhil assessment, demonstrating original research with a significant contribution to the subject area. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva). Our dynamic research environment is driven by committed staff who are all active researchers with a diverse range of interests and expertise through our Research Groups: Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO), International Studies, Conflict and Security (ISCAS) and Political Analysis and Government (PAG). This expertise includes: Human rights and International development, International security and strategic studies, Conflict, Politics and International development, Transitional justice and international crimes and International development Policy. You will develop and hone research skills needed for high-level work in any field of development studies, while skills and training programmes available on campus provide further support. You will have the opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at the College of Arts and Humanities Postgraduate conference.

Which department am I in?

College of Arts and Humanities

Study options

Full Time (3 Years)

Tuition fees
£19,500.00 (21,24,646) per year
This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Application deadline

Expected July 2027

Start date

October 2026

Venue

Singleton Park Campus 1

Singleton Park,

Swansea,

SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom

Full Time (3 Years)

Tuition fees
£19,500.00 (21,24,646) per year
This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Application deadline

16/10/2026

Start date

January 2027

Venue

Singleton Park Campus 1

Singleton Park,

Swansea,

SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom

Entry requirements

For international students

Applicants for PhD must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a masters degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a masters degree, will be considered on an individual basis.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About Swansea University

Swansea University is a dual campus university boasting excellent teaching, world class research and outstanding student support.

  • 86 percent of research quality is world leading (REF 2021)
  • Top 350 in the World (QS World University Rankings 2027)
  • 95 percent of survey students recommend (Uni Compare 2026)
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