PhD Sociology
University of Manchester
Student rating
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( 4.1) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

The University of Manchester

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

The University of Manchester

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

The University of Manchester

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

6 years

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Subjects

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Sociology
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EU
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Course info

Programme descriptionThe PhD in Sociology is a three year full-time (six years part-time) programme. You will examine an important societal challenge of your choice, supervised by a member of staff who is an expert in their specialised area of research.Our staff are experts, often internationally renowned, in a variety of key areas of sociology, and centres such as the Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research .We provide a wealth of opportunities for postgraduate researchers. Some of our main ...Read more

Programme description

The PhD in Sociology is a three year full-time (six years part-time) programme. You will examine an important societal challenge of your choice, supervised by a member of staff who is an expert in their specialised area of research.

Our staff are experts, often internationally renowned, in a variety of key areas of sociology, and centres such as the Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research .

We provide a wealth of opportunities for postgraduate researchers. Some of our main research themes include:

  • social inequality and stratification;
  • race, ethnicity and migration;
  • networks and relations;
  • social movements and protest;
  • place and everyday life;
  • culture and consumption;
  • methodological innovation.

Recent PhDs have included topics as diverse as internet use in Iran, branding in AIDs awareness advertising, and how class differences affect access to higher education.

Teaching and learning

When you become a postgraduate researcher, you'll join a diverse and vibrant community of doctoral students from nearly 100 different countries, all studying within the Faculty of Humanities.

You'll be assigned to a specific research grouping that complements your research interests and have access to a variety of interdisciplinary research institutes .

Our working environments are often spacious and open-plan, giving you plenty of opportunities to communicate with colleagues and staff within the School, and you will have your own desk space as well as access to our fantastic range of libraries on campus.

All of our academic supervisors are research active and will support you to work on challenging research problems and develop rigorous, creative and original research.

You can expect to meet with your supervisor at least once a month to discuss progress on your project.

You will have access to a large and diverse community of internationally recognised academic experts offering an environment that will stimulate intellectual debate and development.

We provide additional financial support for a number of activities related to your PhD, including:

  • presenting at international conferences;
  • attending workshops that provide relevant professional opportunities;
  • conducting fieldwork in the UK and overseas.

Graduate Teaching Assistants

You can also get hands-on, paid teaching experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Graduate Teaching Assistants in the School of Social Sciences are valued members of the teaching team. As such, we take pride in the opportunities provided for your professional development.

Our training includes preparation for application to the Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. This brings a range of benefits as follows:

  • consolidates your personal development and emphasises your professional practice in HE
  • entitlement to use post-nominal letters - AFHEA;
  • provides a valuable measure of success and is increasingly sought by employers across the education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion;
  • recognised and valued by a growing number of international institutions.

Coursework and assessment

During your PhD, your progression is monitored through 6-monthly and annual review boards.

The former involve the supervisory team, including co-supervisors and the objective is to ensure that work is proceeding satisfactorily and to set deadlines.

The annual review board involves an external academic that is not involved in the project. Review boards approve students work and establish agreed parameters for the progression of each project.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
63/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
15th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
22nd
What students say
T
Tamare
02 Dec 24

Best: The location lots of things to do wash to get into town and explore Worst: study spaces get booked up quickly..Read more

X
Xinran
05 Mar 24

near city centre, good balance of school and entertainment, improvement: lower price for school canteen and fix the piano in public..Read more

Entry requirements

a First or Upper Second Class Bachelor's degree (or its international equivalent); and a relevant master's degree, with a minimum average grade of 65% in both the course units and your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or international equivalent).

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£4,786 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

£21,500 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£21,500 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Sociology reviews

Sociology
Sociology
T
Tamare
02 Dec 24
Social Anthropology BSocSc (Hons)
Best: The location lots of things to do wash to get into town and explore Worst: study spaces get booked up quickly...
Read more
X
Xinran
05 Mar 24
Sociology BSocSc (Hons)
near city centre, good balance of school and entertainment, improvement: lower price for school canteen and fix the piano in public...
Read more
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How Sociology students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 47 reviews
5 star
30%
4 stars
56%
3 stars
8%
2 stars
6%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 1,653 reviews
5 star
30%
4 stars
55%
3 stars
14%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Manchester
Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Manchester Piccadilly  0.3 miles away
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