- Sociology
PhD Sociology
Boasting an international reputation and a thriving academic environment, we supervise PhDs in a wide range of subjects across sociology, criminology, digital media, gender and communications and related areas. We are renowned for our applied approach, which is reflected in the way we work with a range of private, public and third-sector organisations.
Why choose this
programme?
- We have an excellent reputation for its innovative and ground-breaking research. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) in the REF 2021, we were 9th for research that is world-leading and internationally excellent (4* and 3* research combined). Our research environment has been ranked 11th for Sociology.
- Our standing in league tables reflects our strong postgraduate community, diverse research centres, research training activities, and funding successes. We are proud to be ranked 6th in the UK and top 50 in the world for sociology in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (Shanghai Ranking) 2023.
- We're home to the following research centres:
- A number of academic journals are based in or edited from our Sociology researchers.
- As a postgraduate researcher, you will join a diverse community of full and part-time PhD students from the UK, the EU and around the world. Our PhD students play an important part in the life and culture of our vibrant and friendly department.
- We have a global reputation for our expertise in a wide range of research methods, from qualitative and ethnographic work to statistical analysis of large and complex data sets, and online research and social simulation. As a postgraduate researcher you will be offered the opportunity to undertake in-depth methodology training via a range of taught courses.
- We are renowned for our applied approach, something reflected in the way we work in partnership with a range of private, public and third-sector organisations. These include the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office, the Environment Agency, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Police Dependants’ Trust.
What you will study
Exactly what you'll study will depend on the topic of your PhD. We can supervise a wide range of areas relating to criminology, sociology, gender, and digital media and communications – please see the ‘themes and facilities’ tab for a full list.
The PhD programme centres on close individual tuition and guidance from your supervisory team, comprising a principal supervisor, a co-supervisor and, in some cases, an additional third supervisor. Supervisors offer advice, feedback and guidance on all aspects of the PhD process, as well as – where appropriate – on career and CV development, and research dissemination through publications and conference papers.
We formally review your progress twice a year, offering the opportunity for medium and longer-term research planning, the identification of training needs, and provision of CV and career advice. Progress reviews also offer you the opportunity to raise any queries, concerns or suggestions.
Close to the end of your first year, you will complete a PhD confirmation process in which you will receive detailed feedback and guidance on your work, from staff outside your supervisory team.
You will also attend a range of courses, workshops, seminars, conferences and other events as appropriate to your project. As well as offering training in research skills or different aspects of the PhD process, such events offer opportunities for you to present your work to one another, or exchange findings and ideas with staff or external speakers.
You will also have the option to take relevant modules from our MSc courses in your first year of study, to extend and deepen your field of knowledge.
Establishing a vibrant academic environment where PhD students develop supportive relationships with one another and with staff, is central to our approach. In addition to close one-to-one mentoring and tuition from supervisors, you will benefit from a range of bespoke events.
Doctoral students can also attend our day courses in social research and the extensive range of courses run by the CAQDAS Networking project. There is also an extensive Researcher Development Programme run at university-level where you can benefit from the extensive central resources and research training opportunities provided by the University’s Doctoral College.
Assessment
Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Research themes
- Age and ageing
- Computational social science
- Crime prevention
- Criminology and criminal justice
- Digital media technologies and society
- Environment and sustainability
- Everyday consumption and food
- Families and parenting
- Gender and sexualities
- Hate crime
- Health and illness
- Higher education
- Identity and difference
- Media and communications
- Methodological innovations and developments
- Policing
- Prisons
- Race, ethnicity and migration
- Sociology of sleep
- Science and science policy
- Youth and youth cultures.
Discover more about our sociology research.
Research areas
- Centre for Research in Social Simulation
- Centre for Criminology
- Centre for Research on Ageing and Generations
- Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis networking project
- Criminology and criminal justice
- Digital societies
- Digital World Research Centre
- Families and the life course
- Innovations in methodology
- Inequalities and diversities
- Science, environment and health
- Sex, Gender and Sexualities Research Group
See a full list of all our sociology academic staff.
Research support
You'll have access to an annual allowance to help with the cost of external conferences and other training events relevant to your work, as well as other research expenses. Doctoral students are able to apply for graduate teaching assistant roles and have access to training, to support them in developing their teaching skills.
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
Facilities
PhD students have access to office space, a computer and a range of research tools and resources, from transcription equipment to data analysis software. The University Library offers access to extensive collections of physical and electronic resources to support research in sociology, criminology and digital media and communications.
Rosie Macpherson
Student - Sociology PhD
Rosie Macpherson is a Sociology PhD student in Sociology. Here she describes the sociology academics and how she has grown in confidence as a researcher and teacher.
Melissa Pepper
Graduate - Sociology PhD
Before arriving at Surrey to study for a PhD in Sociology, Dr Melissa Pepper read Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, followed by an MSc in Social Research Methods at London South Bank University. Melissa was keen to pursue a career in academia – which, with the support of the team at Surrey, she was able to do.
UK qualifications
Applicants are expected to hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in sociology or a related discipline.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent).
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.
October 2024 - Part-time
- UK
- £2,393
- Overseas
- £10,100
October 2024 - Full-time
- UK
- £4,786
- Overseas
- £20,200
July 2025 - Full-time
- UK
- £4,786
- Overseas
- £20,200
July 2025 - Part-time
- UK
- £2,393
- Overseas
- £10,100
January 2025 - Full-time
- UK
- £4,786
- Overseas
- £20,200
January 2025 - Part-time
- UK
- £2,393
- Overseas
- £10,100
April 2025 - Full-time
- UK
- £4,786
- Overseas
- £20,200
April 2025 - Part-time
- UK
- £2,393
- Overseas
- £10,100
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
- Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Application process
Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
After registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Code of practice for research degrees
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.