PhD Sociology at Swansea University

Programme overview

Research degrees in sociology within the Department of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy, with strong research training and supervision across a wide range of social science themes and methods, from empirical to theoretical and interdisciplinary projects.

Department: Department of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy | Duration: 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time | Intake: Oct, Jan, Apr and Jul | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Supervised research in areas such as critical disability studies, cultural sociology, migration, political sociology, racisms, sexuality and queer studies, social class, social exclusion and justice, sociology of education, trade unions, qualitative methods, and Wales and devolution.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants should check how their qualification compares on the country-specific entry requirements. PhD: a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or non-UK equivalent defined by Swansea University) and a master's degree; applicants with a UK first-class honours degree and no master's degree are considered individually. English language: IELTS 6.5 overall with no individual component below 6.5, or a Swansea University recognised equivalent. Admissions decisions may also depend on the standard of the research synopsis or proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places and relevant professional experience.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,006 a year (2025/26). UK student full-time annual rate (2025/26 entry point); part-time is half. Charged over the minimum candidature period. Bench fees may apply. Source

International applicants: GBP 21,950 a year (2026/27). Year 1 tuition, full-time; later years increase by 3% Source

Intake: Oct, Jan, Apr and Jul

Duration: 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities