Social Sciences: Sociology, Social Policy & Applied Social Sciences

Postgraduate

Postgraduate workshops

Postgraduate workshops enable students to present and discuss work

If you choose to study with us, you will be joining a lively and dynamic division of 22 experienced lecturers. Most of our academics have international research reputations, as demonstrated in our excellent results in the 2008 research assessment exercise (RAE). This means that you will enjoy high-quality teaching and graduate with a highly regarded degree informed by cutting-edge research.

International reputation

Sociology, social policy and applied social sciences programmes have been central to Social Sciences at Southampton for over 40 years. In the latest RAE, sociology and social policy staff joined colleagues from the Division of Social Statistics & Demography and the Centre for Research on Ageing in a joint submission to the RAE Sub-Panel for Social Work and Social Policy and Administration. Our submission was ranked third in the UK, with an overall grade point average of 3.0. Our 22 permanent members of staff include six professors.

Intellectually stimulating environment

By undertaking one of our postgraduate programmes, you will find yourself working in a vibrant research community, surrounded by fellow postgraduate students and staff committed to advancing academic study and research in exciting areas related to topical social issues.

Postgraduate research conferences enable our PhD students to present and discuss work, exchange ideas and 'good practice', and receive feedback from academic staff.

Interdisciplinary community of social scientists

As part of the Division, you will be joining Social Sciences' multidisciplinary environment, which offers research and teaching programmes not only in social policy and sociology but also in ageing, demography, economics, international relations, politics, social work and social statistics.

Global opportunities

We have strategic partnerships with government departments and agencies worldwide.

Impressive research credentials

The latest RAE was impressed by the work of our academics.

Working with the best

You will be studying alongside internationally respected academics across all our research areas.

Studying as part of our community

Working towards a PhD can be challenging, but joining our friendly community of PhD students offers an inspirational and supportive environment.

Discount on postgraduate courses

10 per cent discount on postgraduate courses for University of Southampton final-year students and alumni.

Find out more

“An obvious advantage of postgraduate study is having the chance to study an area that interests you in more depth. Alongside this there are opportunities to develop your writing and presentation skills, to gain teaching experience and to attend conferences and meet other people who are interested in similar things.”

Heather Buckingham, PhD in sociology and social policy

Web links

Meet our alumni

Amy Tomlins

Thumbnail photo of Amy Tomlins

“I found the Division highly supportive of both my academic and personal development, and I made the most of career development events they organised throughout the year.”

Postgraduate programmes

  • Our MSc Social Policy and Social Research and our MSc Sociology and Social Research are ESRC-recognised research training programmes.

  • Owing to the breadth of our research expertise, a wide variety of MPhil/PhD opportunities are available.

Postgraduate Faculty Showcase March 2011

Fabio Tartarini, PhD student, won the second prize for his project 'From prison to community through the revolving door: breaking the circle of crime'.

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