PhD Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at University of Southampton

Programme overview

Join our researchers working on social policy in digital economies, migration, work and organisations, families and communities, environmental problems and behaviours, criminology, prisons and cybercrime. Our Sociology, social policy and criminology department ranks in the top 4 in the country for research and our research environment was rated 100% world leading in the latest REF. You’ll join a vibrant research community. We carry our research that is methodologically innovative and at the cutting edge of contemporary social theory. Our academics contribute to policy in fields such as population change, work and organisations, social cohesion and welfare. We are proud of our links with government departments, agencies and organisations around the world.

Faculty: Social Sciences | Department: Sociology, social policy and criminology | Duration: 2 to 4 years full-time; 3 to 7 years part-time | Study mode: full-time/part-time | Location: Southampton, England, United Kingdom

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

You should have a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. If you have completed a master’s degree, you should have achieved a merit or above including 60%, for the dissertation. Research training If you do not have an ESRC-recognised research training masters degree, you will need to complete appropriate research training. Relevant modules include: design, conduct and dissemination of research philosophy and methods of social research qualitative methods statistical data analysis survey design methods (half-module) uses of social data (half-module) If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.0 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). UK fee, full-time (also applies to Horizon Europe associated-country applicants). Part-time: UK £2,619, international £10,050 a year. Specialise in sociology, social policy or criminology; also by distance learning. Source

International applicants: GBP 20,100 a year (2026/27). International fee, full-time. Source

Duration: 2 to 4 years full-time; 3 to 7 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/apply

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