Take the opportunity to pursue a substantial piece of individual research of your choice, with dedicated expert guidance and personal supervision from members of the sociology team. Ranked 5th in the country for student satisfaction, Plymouth’s sociology team produce leading research that addresses key challenges facing contemporary society. Our exciting research encompasses a varied programme of seminars and workshops, where you engage with leading academics in the field on a regular basis.

We have an established tradition of national and internationally recognised excellence in research and strengths in the fields of health policy; media and culture; sustainability; well-being of vulnerable and marginalised groups; music heritage; and gender/sexuality. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 62% of our research was judged internationally excellent. The team have particular strengths in social research methods and embrace a diverse range of approaches.

This full time or part time doctoral programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is the most appropriate research degree to undertake. You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies. You will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts. Your PhD will be assessed via submission of either a written thesis (up to 80,000 words), or one that combines critical writing with artistic, creative and/or professional practice, and a viva voce (an oral examination).