MPhil & PhD in Sociology, Goldsmiths, University of London

MPhil & PhD in Sociology

"I started my PhD as a part-time student at Goldsmiths, then moved to full-time status once I secured funding. My funding is a collaborative ESRC studentship, which means that I still have links with my former employer and can see ways that my research can be applied outside the academic environment. I think this is a strength of Goldsmiths’ Sociology Department, which feels to me to be very outward-looking and open to new ideas. Certainly I have had many opportunities during my time here to work with colleagues on projects, conferences and publications both within the department and College and outside, even internationally. There have been many opportunities to try new things and test boundaries, which I really appreciate, and the large number of active research students really helps to counter the risk of isolation which sometimes comes with a research degree."

Hannah, PhD in Sociology

Length:
3-4 years full-time or 4-6 years part-time.

Applying:

Apply now

We accept applications at any time of the year. To make a formal application, please see How to apply. But in the first instance read this.

Find out more about applying

Entrance requirements:
You should normally have a Master’s degree in a relevant subject area. An MA covering methods of social research (for example, the MA in Social Research) would be a distinct advantage. If your first language is not English, please check our English Language requirements.

Funding:

The Sociology MPhil/PhD Programme is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Please see ESRC DTC for details. There are also College studentships and a Department Whitehead Studentship.

Careers:
Academia; social research in applied areas like health or urban regeneration; research consultancy; practice-orientated work; work in the arts and cultural industries, and publishing.

Skills:
Advanced research training covering a wide range of qualitative and quantitative sociological methods; an ability to develop advanced and extended forms of written argument and scholarly practice.

Fees:
Please see Tuition fees.

Staff research interests:
Please see Staff research interests.

Contact the department:
Contact the Postgraduate Research Officer, Sociology

About the department:
Sociology

Download a booklet [PDF, 1,064KB]

Goldsmiths’ research in sociology covers a range of areas including art and literature, deviance, education, the sociology of governance and regulation, theories of industrial society, health, illness and psychiatry, interpersonal relations, knowledge, politics, ‘race’ and ethnicity, class, religion, values in society, childhood and youth culture, the body and society, social aspects of the life sciences and bio-medicine, science and technology, the expansion of capitalism on a world scale, urban studies, gender and the sexual division of labour, and culture and communications. Find out more about staff research interests.

Find out more about our research degrees, including information about starting your research, upgrading to PhD registration, and submitting your thesis. We emphasise the importance of the relationship between you and your supervisor: we ‘match’ you with a supervisor whose current active research interests and expertise are compatible with your chosen topic of research. The Sociology MPhil/PhD programme is recognised by the ESRC for excellence in research training.

Assessment

Thesis and viva voce.

Register your interest

If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information. If you subsequently decide to apply for this programme you will be able to use the same login details to apply.