PhD in Global Ethics PhD

The application deadline is 1 June; tuition is £23,390 (full-time) / £11,695 (part-time).

You will spend your weeks conducting independent research on a global ethics topic, critically reviewing existing literature, and drafting sections of your thesis or papers. Regular one-to-one supervision meetings and occasional research training sessions will guide your progress, while you are free to set your own timetable.

The programme is normally three years full-time or six years part-time. In the first year you complete a literature review and begin data collection or philosophical analysis, submitting a writing sample at the end of the year. Years two and three focus on developing your argument, presenting findings at seminars, and producing a full draft for final assessment. The PhD by Papers route lets you submit a series of journal-style articles instead of a monograph.

You may study on campus, by distance learning, or a blend of both, with a compulsory visit to the university for training and supervision. The department provides personalised guidance from at least two supervisors and encourages participation in seminars and conferences.

The University of Birmingham, chartered in 1900, is a large, research-intensive redbrick university located in Edgbaston. It offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has a reputation for multidisciplinary research, substantial campus investment and strong academic staffing. With more than 34,000 students, including a sizeable international community, Birmingham combines historic strengths with modern facilities and a global outlook.

Research and teaching span the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine and social sciences, supported by major investments in campus infrastructure and academic appointments. The university promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through flagship fellowships and research initiatives, and many courses provide opportunities for placements, industry engagement and overseas study on its international campuses. Student support services include extensive academic development, career services and wellbeing provision tailored to an international cohort.

Life at Birmingham blends a vibrant campus with access to the city's cultural and professional resources, enabling students to pursue extracurricular activities, volunteering and professional networking. The institution’s global partnerships and growing research profile open doors for international collaborations and career pathways. Prospective international applicants should carefully check entry requirements, funding and application deadlines and contact the university’s international office for guidance on visas, scholarships and arrival planning.