Sociology - Research

The School has an exciting and diverse PhD programme which has been extensively revised in recent years. There are new taught components that provide greater structure and professional training, but the emphasis remains on students completing a major, independent piece of research that makes a significant contribution to sociological knowledge.



The PhD in Sociology is awarded following the completion of 270 credits, comprising 240 credits for the thesis and a further 30 credits of taught modules. This is normally a 4 year full-time or 5-6 year part-time programme.



You will find fuller information below on Structured PhD and on School’s Application Procedures. Funding opportunities are available through scholarships and tutoring and you will find information on these below.



In advance of making your application you should read through the Application Procedures, and make contact with a member of staff whose area of research you think most closely relates to your area of research to discuss your proposal. For information on research areas of staff please click here. It is important that you send them a clear outline of your draft research proposal, cv, and copy of transcripts. We strongly recommend that a member of staff reads and reviews your final proposal before you make you application to the School.

Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:



PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic Regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website. The module SOC50060 PhD/MLitt Roundtable is mandatory to complete in the PhD Sociology course.



SOC40640 Social Simulation: Methods and Models Autumn 10

SOC40730 Social and Political Thought: Basic texts and discussions Autumn 10

SOC40810 Introduction to Comparative Social Change: Concepts and Cases Autumn 10

SOC41160 Global Solutions and Applied Social Change Autumn 10

SOC41200 Research Design Autumn 10

SOC40330 Workshop in Qualitative Research Spring 10

SOC40620 Nationalism and Social Change Spring 10

SOC40720 Organised Violence and Society Spring 10

SOC40790 Art, Knowledge & Social Change Spring 10

SOC41120 Human Development Challenges in the Global South Spring 10

SOC41130 AI and Society Spring 10

SOC41150 Queering Global Challenges Spring 10

SOC41170 R.A.G.E. - Remembrance, Activism, Genocide, Emotions Spring 10

SOC50060 PhD/MLitt Roundtable Spring 5

UTL40230 Intro to Univ T&L for Tutors Spring 5



Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:



PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic Regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website. The module SOC50060 PhD/MLitt Roundtable is mandatory to complete in the PhD Sociology course.



SOC40640 Social Simulation: Methods and Models Autumn 10

SOC40730 Social and Political Thought: Basic texts and discussions Autumn 10

SOC40810 Introduction to Comparative Social Change: Concepts and Cases Autumn 10

SOC41160 Global Solutions and Applied Social Change Autumn 10

SOC41200 Research Design Autumn 10

SOC40330 Workshop in Qualitative Research Spring 10

SOC40620 Nationalism and Social Change Spring 10

SOC40720 Organised Violence and Society Spring 10

SOC40790 Art, Knowledge & Social Change Spring 10

SOC41120 Human Development Challenges in the Global South Spring 10

SOC41130 AI and Society Spring 10

SOC41150 Queering Global Challenges Spring 10

SOC41170 R.A.G.E. - Remembrance, Activism, Genocide, Emotions Spring 10

SOC50060 PhD/MLitt Roundtable Spring 5

UTL40230 Intro to Univ T&L for Tutors Spring 5

4/6 years, FT/PT, On Campus.

W149 Sociology Doctor of Philosophy Full-Time Commencing January 2026 Graduate Research



W150 Sociology Doctor of Philosophy Part-Time Commencing January 2026 Graduate Research



W149 PhD Sociology Doctor of Philosophy Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Research



W150 PhD Sociology Doctor of Philosophy Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Research