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The University of Southampton
Economic, Social and Political SciencesPostgraduate study

PhD Sociology

The University of Southampton welcomes applications from students who are interested in pursuing postgraduate research in sociology. We welcome applications from students who wish to undertake research in areas that are directly associated with staff research interests, including in the areas of social cohesion, crime and community relations, and work, organisation and civil society, as well as methodological innovations.

All research students are registered for a PhD, and progress is conditional on successful completion of the programme of advanced courses and satisfactory progress in your research, assessed by annual review.

Programme structure

Years one and two
At the beginning of your PhD, a research training programme will be drawn up by you and your supervisor(s) in consultation with the supervisory team and the postgraduate research coordinator.

During years one and two of the programme, you will combine supervised research with further development through our Postgraduate Research Forum. The Forum is designed to foster and develop a range of professional skills, including writing, bibliographic, library, research, computing, IT and presentation skills. There may also be an opportunity to develop your teaching skills by undertaking some small-group teaching and class tutoring on the undergraduate programmes.

Year three
The third year of study is devoted to full-time research and preparation of your doctoral thesis. In your final year as a research student you will be expected to participate fully in our programme of research workshops and seminars.

Research training
Your research training programme plays a vital part in ensuring you develop your research training skills in the appropriate areas to enable you to successfully complete your PhD.

If you have not studied an ESRC-recognised research training masters programme, you will be able to take the necessary modules from our MSc programmes. If you have studied an ESRC-recognised research training masters programme, you will be able to continue your training by attending activities organised by us.

Our Postgraduate Research Forum is devoted entirely to discussing substantive and methodological topics and problems which research students face. Regular seminars also provide an opportunity for you to discuss your own plans and to develop your ideas with other research students in a supportive environment. As a research student you will find it extremely beneficial to attend the regular staff–postgraduate student seminars, where speakers present papers based on their current research, and also our annual postgraduate research days and research awaydays.

View the doctoral programme profile for this course

Key facts

Entry requirements: masters degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent (a good honours degree will be considered)

Start date: September

Careers: academic posts, research in government, private and not-for-profit sectors, research organisations

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