Social and Policy Sciences (Research)

Deepen your knowledge and research skills for an academic or professional career that focuses on social and public policy.

This course is delivered by the Department of Social & Policy Sciences. Our department is internationally recognised with a strong focus on policy and practice, and a commitment to contribute to social wellbeing and social justice.

We offer supervisory expertise in four disciplines:

• International Development

• Social Policy

• Sociology

• Social work

Our PhDs are not formally assigned a discipline and successful candidates can describe their PhD to reflect its main research area (e.g. PhD in Social Policy; PhD in International Development).

The programme will enable you to contribute a significant piece of research to the academic community through a written thesis (typically up to 90,000 words).

You may start this programme at any time. Most students start in September.

Programme content
Learning

• Doctoral skills online

• Doctoral skills workshop

• Research project

• Supervisory team

Research content
Students carry out a supervised programme of research at the leading edge of their chosen subject. From an initial proposal, students design and conduct a research programme under the direction of one or two members of our academic staff. The PhD research is written up as a substantial thesis and assessed in an extensive oral examination. You can choose to study any topic in which we have research expertise. Details of research staff expertise and interests are available on individual staff pages.

We have particular strengths in international and comparative research across the globe in all our disciplines. Our staff have published research on the UK, Europe, South and South-East Asia, East and West Africa, and Latin America, among others. Our staff, and research students, conduct research across disciplinary boundaries, and frequently work with colleagues from other disciplines in the department, as well as with colleagues in politics, psychology, economics.

Professional Development
Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our DoctoralSkills workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.