Postgraduate research
We offer PhD and Professional Doctorate opportunities. Research students join a vibrant academic and research environment, with supervision by leading experts in their field.
We provide two different opportunities for Doctoral study: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Professional Doctorate. Broadly, the PhD is aimed at preparing candidates for a research-based career, while the Professional Doctorate looks to address the career needs of practising professionals, particularly those in - or aspiring to reach - senior positions.
Interdisciplinary research training is a particularly strong feature of our postgraduate research programmes. We are committed to theoretically informed research with a clear policy focus. We offer research opportunities for postgraduate study in sociology, social policy, criminology, science and technology studies, social work and education.
Our research environment includes a wide range of active research groupings, seminar series, and informal study groups. Our PGR Café - a student led initiative - provides a unique intellectual forum and support network for those pursuing doctoral studies.
We are recognised nationally and internationally as a leading centre for theoretically informed, empirical research. In the UK Government’s most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise (2014), our research in sociology and education ranked 3rd and 5th respectively. Over a third of our submitted publications were judged world-leading.
