Postgraduate research

The Sociology discipline area at Manchester offers a stimulating and supportive environment to undertake postgraduate research. We have a large community of research students who are given expert and high quality supervision. Manchester has a lively research culture both within the discipline area (as reflected by the top-rating 6* awarded in the last RAE) and in the university. We have an excellent track record in students receiving ESRC studentships (through the NWDTC) as well as fully funded internal scholarships open to UK and overseas applicants. Postgraduate students have frequent opportunities to take part in conferences and events organised across the University as well as to participate in seminars and expert workshops offered by national and international visiting speakers.

The discipline area can offer expertise and supervision on a wide range of areas of sociology. Take a look at the research interests of the staff as well as the range of interests of our current students to get a better idea of the areas of interest. It would be a good idea to contact potential supervisors before applying for a PhD.

There are also opportunities for inter-disciplinary research in collaboration with other discipline areas across the Faculty of Humanities. You can do a post graduate degree at Manchester on either a full or part time basis and you will be supported by a team of colleagues including two supervisors, an academic reviewer who is independent of the supervisory team, and the PhD Tutor. There are regular opportunities to meet with other PhD students, participate in seminar discussions and share ideas in a supportive environment

All our PhD students have access to computing and work facilities, located in the large, bright work space that dominates the third floor of our new building and physically defines the Sociology discipline area within the School of Social Sciences. We are also able to offer paid teaching opportunities to most PhD students who want it and training in connection with this. This experience can be very useful for those considering an academic career after graduation.