Overview

The PhD in Security, Conflict and Human Rights is an interdisciplinary pathway. It explicitly recognises that traditional approaches to security and conflict must encompass different disciplinary perspectives on issues of human (in)security to develop better strategies for resolving conflicts and protecting human rights.

This programme is one of five South West Doctoral Training Partnership interdisciplinary pathways delivered in partnership with the Universities of Bath and Exeter.

Globalisation has altered the security environment, and violence has shifted from organised inter-state war to protracted warfare fought by non-state actors and local militias as well as state militaries. Climate change, forced migration, gender-based violence, radicalisation, humanitarian emergencies, terrorism and WMD proliferation have - to varying degrees - been securitised by states, intergovernmental institutions and non-governmental organisations. This broadening of the global security agenda has highlighted the limits of existing local, regional and global responses to these new challenges, and although human rights are codified within international law, their implementation is often inhibited.

This PhD responds directly to these challenges and equips researchers with the interdisciplinary skills required to shape the research, policy and practice needed to prevent conflict and mitigate security risks.

As this is an interdisciplinary PhD pathway, within your proposal you will be required to articulate, clearly and substantively, how and in what ways your proposed research is interdisciplinary in nature. You should also be aware that an offer of a place on this programme is dependent on the availability of co-supervision from two staff members from different disciplines relevant to your proposal. You are required to identify this in the 'proposed supervisor' section of your application.

Students will normally be registered in the school of their first supervisor. This may not be the school that processes your application.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) and a master's qualification (or equivalent).

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£4,665 per year
UK: part-time
£2,332 per year
Overseas: full-time
£20,100 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount. 

Bristol Master's Scholarship 

£2,000 scholarships available for UK students from underrepresented groups applying for full-time master's programmes. Find out more about the Bristol Master's Scholarships and check your eligibility to apply

Funding for 2023/24

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships. Applicants may also be interested in applying for funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund or the alumni PhD scholarship fund.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

The PhD in Security, Conflict and Human Rights offers useful preparation for a number of careers. Our students go on to employment in areas of academia, international security, development and conflict issues, the Department for International Development, policy research, consultancy, policy civil service or the military.

Meet our supervisors

The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.

a.e.juncos@bristol.ac.uk;

Research groups

The Security, Conflict and Human Rights pathway works with research groups and centres across the Universities of Bristol, Bath and Exeter. All students have two supervisors, who are from different institutions and disciplinary perspectives.