Course overview

E mbedded in an interdisciplinary high quality research environment, the PhD in Employment Research, at the Institute for Employment Research (IER), provides unparalleled learning opportunities at a leading international social science research centre.

As an interdisciplinary research-only department within the University of Warwick, the Institute for Employment Research (IER) provides wide-ranging opportunities for prospective doctoral candidates to engage in high quality social science doctoral-level research, which is policy-relevant and academically rigorous.

IER s doctoral programme aims to train independent social science researchers who can develop and deploy theory effectively, assess the relative merits of different methodological approaches, choose and use appropriate empirical methods, manage their time and other research resources effectively. Being located in a specialist research environment the PhD will provide a wider understanding of the research process (including dissemination, funding, relationships with sponsors, and different organisational models for research).

Our extensive research portfolio has meant that we have fostered and maintained links with national and international research centres; UK government departments and agencies; European Commission and other international bodies; local authorities and sectoral organisations, as well as extensive academic networks.

Supervision for IER doctoral students will be provided by academic researchers with significant experience of undertaking employment research. We supervise students from a variety of different countries and backgrounds and welcome this diversity among our student body.

Former students have gone on to work in a variety of areas in different contexts, including academia, government, the private sector or third sector organisations.

We also offer a joint PhD in Employment Research with our partner institution Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Teaching and learning

Supervision for IER doctoral students will be provided by academic researchers with significant experience employment research.

During their first year of PhD study, students will normally be expected to undertake training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Entry requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject and a good Master s degree (or equivalent) in the social sciences.
Previous studies and/or work experience should have included training in social science methodology.
An application should be supported by a good research proposal.
English language requirements: IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

Warwick welcomes applications with good degrees from respected universities in Austria. From Austria, for Postgraduate Taught courses, we would typically require a Bachelor's degree or Diplomstudium/Magister from a well ranked public institution, with the following equivalencies:

UK Classification

Number

Grade

Percentage

First

1.0 - 1.9

At least 70%

2:1

2.0 - 2.9

60% - 69%

2:2

3.0 - 3.9

50% - 59%

For other grading systems or if you need any advice or guidance on the qualifications above our Europe and Central Asia Team are here to help. Contact them at eurusca@warwick.ac.uk

Please see our Austria Country Information page for further guidance, contacts and upcoming events in your country.

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.

We typically ask for two academic references for research courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

Research themes

The Institute for Employment Research (IER) is an interdisciplinary institute. It brings together a breadth of expertise from a variety of disciplines, including economics; statistics; geography; social and public policy; sociology; education; organisational behaviour; and industrial relations.

Methodologically, researchers at IER employ a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, including but not limited to surveys; big data; large data sets; focus groups; and interviews.

Current strengths in IER are:

Job quality; fair, decent and good work
Education; training and skills
Future of work; digitalisation and automation
Equality, diversity and inclusion in the labour market
Welfare, work and public policy
Labour market assessment and forecasting
Employment relations and employer behaviour

For further information about individual research expertise and interests please our supervisors page.

Supervisors and proposals

There are several routes to finding a PhD supervisor at University of Warwick. Searching for a supervisor and submitting a research proposal will look different depending on the opportunity you are applying for. Below you ll find guidance from the department about what is required for this course.

For more general advice, including top tips for finding and contacting a potential supervisor, and what to include in your research proposal visit the university s guidance webpages.

IER doctoral students are supervised by academic researchers with significant experience of undertaking research and expertise in the topic area.

Visit Potential IER PhD Supervisors to find out more about potential supervisors and explore the subjects and techniques they would be interested in supervising.

You can read our general University research proposal guidance.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

We accept applications that fall within IER s areas of research. You should send your application including your CV (indicating your research training and/or experience), transcripts, cover letter and an outline research proposal to ierphd@warwick.ac.uk, mentioning any potential IER supervisors that you have identified.

More information on the application process can be found on our application pages.

Please note that your proposal should follow the proposal guidelines.

Fees and scholarships

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and assessment and some student amenities.

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of research trips in the UK and overseas. In addition, you should consider the more general costs below:

Access to research material that is not available via university resources
Printing and binding a personal copy of your dissertation
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

About the department

Turn research into impact for the future of work.

Why study with us?

Cross the boundaries of conventional academic disciplines at our leading social science research centre. Established in 1981, the Institute is internationally recognised for interdisciplinary research that influences real-world policy and practice.

Supported by partnerships with policymakers, industry and the public sector, our multi-method approaches tackle the big questions around employment, skills and labour markets.

Based within our thriving social sciences community, the Warwick Institute for Employment Research is designed to foster bold interdisciplinary thinking for real-world impact. Our Library and modern study spaces create a friendly, energised environment for discussion and collaboration.

Life at Warwick

This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.

Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and caf s, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes walk from central campus.

Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.

Teaching facilities

Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.

Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas

The University Library

Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more

Supporting you

Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.

Whether you live on campus or off campus, in private accommodation in the well-serviced local area, you ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.

Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.

Why Warwick

Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it s where you discover who you could become.

68th

Warwick is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables

4th

in the UK by the UK's top 100 graduate employers

92%

Of our research has been assessed to be 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the Research Excellence Framework

GOLD

standard teaching; the highest possible rating across all three categories (student experience, student outcomes, and overall)

6th

Coventry is ranked as the 6th Best Student City in the UK, and 43rd in the world.

Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.

As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.

How to apply

Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application.

Applications for courses starting in academic year 2026/27 are now open.

For research courses that start in September and October 2027, the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2027.

For courses starting at other times of year we recommend that you submit your application a minimum of 3 months prior to your intended start date.

This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK if required. We will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received late or there are a number of conditions to meet.

If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).

About the page

We have revised the information on this page since publication.

See the edits we have made and content history .

This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.

Next steps

Explore your future university further at an upcoming event, online or in-person. Can't join? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.