PhD Social Sciences at University of the West of Scotland

Programme overview

PhD research in social sciences at the Paisley, Lanarkshire and London campuses, with research themes spanning critical social policy, governance, criminology, politics, gender and sexuality, and migration studies.

Duration: Minimum of 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time | Intake: October, February, April or June (admissions deadlines September, January, March or May respectively) | Study mode: full-time; part-time | Location: Paisley, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Supervised PhD research within themes including critical social policy and public administration, governance and public policy, criminology and criminal justice, politics, gender and sexuality studies, and migration studies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

MRes/MPhil/MPhil-PhD: a first or second class honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification; other qualifications are considered on their merits and in relation to the proposed programme of work. Direct PhD registration is at the university's discretion for applicants holding an MRes/MPhil from a UK university (or equivalent non-UK standard) in an appropriate subject area; exceptionally it may be approved for applicants with an exceptionally high-quality honours degree or taught master's in an appropriate discipline plus postgraduate research experience with significant peer-reviewed publications. English language (international applicants whose first language is not English): IELTS Academic overall 6.5 with no sub-test below 6.0, gained within two years of the start of the course.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). Scottish, Rest of UK and Republic of Ireland students; Social Sciences PhD Source

International applicants: GBP 16,275 a year (2026/27). International (including rest of EU) students; Social Sciences PhD Source

Intake: October, February, April, or June (Paisley, Lanarkshire and London)

Duration: Minimum of 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/admissions-application/postgraduate-research-application-guide

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