This article presents an overview of PhD programs in Refugee and Migrant Studies, offering aspiring doctoral candidates a resource to explore academic pathways in this crucial field. By highlighting various PhD options, this article aims to inspire and guide individuals passionate about addressing the challenges faced by refugees and migrants, fostering deeper understanding, innovative research, and impactful contributions to this complex and evolving field. Please note that while we regularly update the contents on our website, we can’t do it in real-time and links may become outdated or inaccurate. Please always check on the official websites for the latest information.
PhD Programme in Migration Studies – Pablo de Olavide University – Sevilla, Spain
Pablo de Olavide University, in conjunction with the University of Grenada and the University of Jaen, offer a PhD in Migration Studies. This program combines a variety of disciplines for a comprehensive experience. Students can focus their research on these areas: Social, Cultural and Gender Analysis of Migration; Globalisation and Human Mobility: Employment and Migration; Psychosocial Analysis of Migration; Social, Legal and Political Analysis of Migration and Human Development: the Welfare State and Diversity Management. Students must develop a research plan with their thesis supervisor and have it approved in order to continue in the program. The program does not include a structured teaching module or schedule, but courses and seminars are occasionally offered. Students who complete this program will be equipped for research, higher education instruction, and more, including careers with government, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations.
This program is designed to last 3 years full time, but students may apply for extensions under certain circumstances. Fees for this program can add up to €479.50 at a maximum for various academic fees, the PhD degree certificate, thesis defense, and more.
PhD in Migration Studies – University of Sussex – Brighton, UK
The University of Sussex has a PhD program in Migration Studies. Students in this program are supervised by faculty in the Sussex Centre for Migration Research, a research institute drawing form a variety of fields to cover issues related to migration. The University of Sussex gives students the advantage of having policy links with governments and international organizations like the International Organization for Migration and the International Labour Organization. Students will complete their PhD studies with robust research and teaching skills that will lead to future careers in research institutes, academic institutes, governments, international organizations, and more.
Students can choose to pursue their PhD full-time in 4 years or part-time in 6 years. In order to qualify for this program, students must have a master’s degree in a relevant field of study. In order to apply, interested individuals should check the site for funded projects in the area of migration studies or contact potential supervisors to propose their own research project. Funded projects are not available for all PhD students, but students may be eligible for various scholarships, doctoral loans, or a work study agreement. Without funding, the PhD program costs £4,327 for UK/EU students and Channel Islands/Isle of Man students and £16,750 for international students, not including additional fees or living expenses.
DPhil in Migration Studies – University of Oxford – Oxford, UK
The University of Oxford offers a DPhil in Migration Studies. Students start the program as a Probationer Research Student and are in this probationary period until either the end of their first year (full-time) or second year (part-time) where they then transfer to the doctoral program. Students will receive training in relevant research methods, languages, technology skills, and more and have the chance to attend lectures, seminars, and classes in related topics to your research. It is expected that the students will have completed most of their necessary training in their master’s degree program. Students will benefit from supervision of experienced faculty and collaborations with The Centre on Migration Policy and Society and the Refugee Studies Centre, where students can receive training and research practice. Students will be able to receive a training needs analysis and gain advice about future career prospects. They will be prepared for careers with prestigious international organizations, governments, research institutes, and more.
This program is intended to take 3 to 4 years at full-time study and 6 to 8 years at part-time study. Full-time study costs £14,195 for UK/EU students and £22,600 for international students per year. Part-time fees are half the cost of full-time fees. Oxford has over 1000 full graduate scholarships available that can cover the cost of tuition and provide a living stipend. Those who apply by the January deadline are automatically considered for these scholarships. The university also has a search tool for students to look for additional funding opportunities.
PhD in Ethnic and Migration Studies – Linkoping University – Linkoping, Sweden
Linkoping University has a PhD in Ethnic and Migration Studies. Students participate in interdisciplinary courses and research designed to help students gain a comprehensive view on issues relating to ethnic and migration studies. Students also have the option to choose elective courses from the REMESO Graduate School in Migration, Ethnicity and Society. They also have the opportunity to collaborate with international research centers. Students are expected to start their research and thesis work within the first year, carrying out their project while also taking coursework to increase their skills and knowledge. Courses are taken as both seminars and individual reading courses. Students will also have their work published as part of completing their thesis. Those who complete this program will be equipped to work for international organizations, government agencies, research institutes, academic institutions, and more.
Through this program, students are able to receive supervision full-time for four years. Generally, PhD students do not pay tuition fees. Most receive a salary or fellowship for their 4 years of study at the university, covering both academic and living costs.
PhD Program in Migration, Statelessness and Refugee Studies – University of Melbourne – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The University of Melbourne offers an Interdisciplinary PhD in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies. Through courses, students learn skills in ethics, research methods, and communication approaches in order to carry out their research work. Students can also participate in workshops, study groups, conferences, and other events. In order to enter this program offered by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute, students must already be undertaking a PhD at the university in Law, Education, Planning, Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts, and Population Health. This program will focus their PhD on refugee and forced migration studies and prepare them for future careers in related jobs in government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, research institutes, and academic institutions.
Under Australia’s Research Training Program exempts domestic students from tuition fees for up to four full-time years of study. Course fees for international students range between $35,000 and $42,000 AUD depending on the degree program. The university’s website has an extensive list of scholarships, bursaries, and grants available to doctoral students; eligibility varies for each financial aid opportunity.
PhD in Migration Studies – University of Lisbon – Lisbon, Portugal
The University of Lisbon offers a PhD in Migration Studies, an interdisciplinary degree offered as a joint program through the psychology, social sciences, and education faculties. Students are able to specialize their research in a wide range of topics under the umbrella of migration studies: Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, and Education. They gain advanced training in relevant topics and are able to make connections with and gain a better understanding of the various institutions involved with migration policy, practice, and services. Participants take courses that will help them gain knowledge regarding migration issues and skills in research methods. This program is offered in Portuguese and some courses may be taught in English. Those who complete the program will be equipped for advanced careers with international organizations, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and more.
The program seminars span the course of 3 years for full-time study. The annual fee for all students is €2750. Students must hold a master’s degree in order to apply. The university offers a Doctoral Degree (3rd Cycle) Scholarship program for a number of doctoral level students; this scholarship can be renewed for 3 years. The Student Support Services center has additional information about potential scholarships.
PhD in Migration Studies – University of Kent – Canterbury, UK
The University of Kent offers a PhD in Migration Studies through its School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. The school is one of the largest and most successful social science institutes in Europe. In additional to high quality faculty, staff, courses, and on-campus resources, students also have the opportunity to network and connect with a variety of research councils, other graduate schools, and both national and international organizations. Students are offered a weekly seminar series as part of their program. They also meet regularly with their individual supervisors and participate in a research training program to develop their skills and knowledge in their selected topic area. Students have the chance to submit their work to be published on multiple occasions. Those who complete their degree will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience for careers in government, international organizations, research institutes, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, policy think tanks, and more.
This program should take 3 years at full-time study and 5 years at part-time study. For full-time study, UK/EU students pay £4327 and overseas students pay £15700. Students pay half of the full-time tuition price for part-time study. The university offers a scholarship finder on their website so that students can search for scholarship opportunities relevant to their field of study and situation. The UK Research Council also offers scholarships for postgraduate research and training. The Research Council scholarships are only available in full to UK students; EU students can receive tuition funding only. Students can also look at funding available for their specific school or subject of study.
PhD in Migration Studies – Danube University Krems – Krems an der Donau, Austria
Danube University in Krems offers a PhD in Migration Studies. This program is particularly geared towards those coming from related social science fields but is open to those from other disciplines as well. In addition to conducting their research, students also participate in PhD colloquia twice a year and take courses on methodology, various migration topics, and complementary topics. The program is designed to be interdisciplinary and collaborative. To complete the program students present their thesis and an oral defense. Students will gain the skills and knowledge to obtain careers in policy organizations, governments, international and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and more.
This is a 3-year study program. According to the university’s FAQ section, no tuition fees are charged for the PhD program but the selection process is strict. Students can apply for the PhD program as third-party funded positions become available. Most students in this program are employed by third-party funding agencies.
PhD Programme in Transnational and Migration Studies – University of Copenhagen – Copenhagen, Denmark
The University of Copenhagen offers a PhD Programme in Transnational and Migration Studies. Based out of the Department of English, Germanic and Romance Studies, much of the research is focused on history, politics, social structure, culture, art, religion, and language of Western and post-colonial worlds; however, the program aims to be interdisciplinary and allows students to span beyond these topics into other fields. In particular, students can specialize in topics like globalization, transnationalism in Europe, the USA, Australia and the post-colonial world; migration, diaspora, exile; cultural transfer, culture clashes; otherness, heterogeneity, hybridity; polyphony, language changes, translation studies. Students in the university’s PhD programs are also encouraged to study abroad during the course of their research. The research projects students choose can be standalone or part of a larger project. Graduates will be prepared to work in government, international and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, think tanks and policy organizations, academia, and a variety of other positions relating to migration.
This program generally takes 3 years to complete and is full-time. The tuition rate is DKK 216,000. Students can choose to self-finance but must be able to prove their ability to self-finance for the entirety of the 3-year program. Some faculty scholarships are available and are posted on the university’s site. Students can also apply to receive external funding to cover the cost of tuition or can be employed by a third-party institution or organization.
PhD in Human Geography – University of Lincoln – Lincoln, UK
The University of Lincoln offers a PhD in Human Geography. As part of this program, students can choose to focus on a research area such as migration or other related topics. Most of the program consists of independent study and research. Students are also encouraged to attend seminars, guest speaker events, and other research training opportunities. Students will meet regularly with their staff and faculty advisors throughout the course of their research. Students must demonstrate their progress on an annual basis, culminating in a final research thesis presentation. Students will be able to learn from and network with experts in related fields and professions to gain first-hand insight into their research. Students with this degree will be able to work in fields related to human geography and migration at government agencies, international organizations, research institutes and think tanks, policy organizations, and academic institutions.
Students can attend this PhD program full-time or part-time, taking anywhere from 2 to 4 years. Tuition costs £4,327 for UK/EU students and £15,800 for international students at the full-time level. To cover the cost of tuition, the university offers PhD loans, as well as various studentship positions and scholarships.
PhD in Population Studies and Demography – University of Waikato – Hamilton, NZ
The University of Waikato has a PhD in Population Studies and Demography, an interdisciplinary program designed to study topics such as population trends, migration, refugee movements, urbanization, and more. Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds and can focus on a related research area of their choice. There is no required coursework for the PhD program. Students must conduct their own research and present their findings in a thesis. This degree will train students for careers in government agencies, international organizations, think tanks and research institutes, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and policy organizations.
This is a 3-year program. New Zealand-based students pay $6,138-$6,883 per year and international students pay $31,010-$38,840 per year. The university offers a large number of scholarships that students may be eligible for based on their field of study and other qualifications. The website has a scholarship finder. The university also has a list of various external scholarships that students may be able to receive to cover their tuition and other expenses.
PhD in Human Geography – Swansea University – Swansea, Wales, UK
Swansea University offers a PhD in Human Geography. Students undertake individual research in areas related to human geography, including issues related to migration. Students will also participate in seminars, workshops, field work, and involvement in research groups. Swansea boasts being in the lists of top universities for research impact and academic study. Program participants will have access to faculty members who are active in research and analysis in relevant fields, as well as high-tech workstations and other resources. Those who complete this program will be equipped for a variety of careers in migration and other related fields at government agencies, research institutes, academic institutions, international organizations, and more.
This program will take 3 years at full-time study and 6 years at part-time study. Tuition for £4,327 for UK/EU students and £17,550 for international students. Welsh, English, and EU students may be able to receive government funding for their studies. As one of the UK’s doctoral training centers, the program has a significant amount of funding for PhD students in the Human Geography program; these scholarship opportunities are listed on the university’s website.