Research Degrees

The Institute of Commonwealth Studies offers a unique scholarly environment in which to pursue doctoral research. Doctoral candidates are able to draw on the wide-ranging expertise of staff in a supportive, friendly environment. The Institute is located in Bloomsbury, the heart of intellectual London; students at the Institute have access to the world-class Senate House libraries as well as to the libraries of all the colleges of the University of London.

The School of Advanced Study draws on its expertise in research and teaching to provide programmes of varied and challenging research and skills training. These programmes help support our students and graduate researchers in their wider preparation for careers, in academia or elsewhere.

Supervisors

The Institute has been supervising interdisciplinary doctoral degrees for over half a century. The focus of research degrees has increasingly been on the humanities and cognate social sciences, particularly on the subjects of human rights, globalization and development, politics, and Commonwealth history. Students pursue their academic interests in the friendly and supportive environment of the Institute; their research is enhanced by the outstanding libraries of the University of London, including the Institute’s own prestigious collection.

Both residential and distance-learning research degrees are offered.

Please see below a list of topics and supervisors. 

Fees & Funding

For information about fees and funding from the School of Advanced Study, please visit their website here. Additional funding opportunities from the Institute of Commonwealth Studies are noted at the bottom of the page.