Key information
- Duration: Full-time, 36 months
- Start dates: October 2026, January 2027, April 2027
- Language: English
- Delivered: On Campus
- Campus Location: London, United Kingdom
- Disciplines: International Relations
Overview
Research informed by the needs of society, delivered through research programmes co-created with the intended beneficiaries and stakeholders, is at the heart of our approach. Our Global Challenges research objective delivered by the Brunel University of London is to create new knowledge and drive innovation to develop more equitable access to sustainable development.
Key facts
Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.
Visit the programme website for more information
Programme Structure
Curriculum:
- The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities.
- This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme.
- The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development.
- You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
TOEFL iBT: 90 (or new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score CEFR-aligned, equivalent to the 0-120 score)
PTE Academic: 59
IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
General requirements
- The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1).
- If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International: 38,857 AUD / year (approx. 20,400 GBP / year)
- Domestic: 9,975 AUD / year (approx. 5,237 GBP / year)
Living costs
London, United Kingdom: 2,166-4,109 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Scholarships
Available scholarships:
- Banco de Mexico FIDERH Scholarship – Merit-based, Various benefits, Deadline not specified
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program – Grant, Various benefits, Deadline 07 Oct 2026
- ServiceScape Scholarship – Grant, 1000 USD, Deadline 30 Nov 2026
- ACES Scholarships – Grant, 3500 USD, Deadline 15 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ – Grants for study mobility – Merit-based, Various benefits, Deadline not specified
- Scholarships for PhD Students – Merit-based, 19000 GBP, Deadline not specified
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship – Merit-based, Various benefits, Deadline 28 Feb 2027
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship – Merit-based, 1000 USD, Deadline 31 Oct 2026
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship – 1000 USD, Deadline 01 Mar 2027
- Women Scholarship for International Students – Merit-based, 5000 USD, Deadline 28 Aug 2026
- The PhD Prep Fellowship – Merit-based, 10000 USD, Deadline 01 Sep 2026
- Dream Chaser Scholarship – Merit-based, 1000 USD, Deadline 13 Jan 2027
- Scholarship for students with disabilities – Need-based, 3000 USD, Deadline 31 Dec 2026
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids – 22500 GBP, Deadline not specified
- Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria – Need-based, Various benefits, Deadline 31 Dec 2026
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – Need-based, 1500 USD, Deadline not specified
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – 12000 USD, Deadline 11 Jan 2027