Research courses
We are developing the next generation of empirical sociologists, through broadly-based and methodologically rigorous applied sociological research training. We also provide a vibrant, intellectually stimulating and supportive environment for our postgraduate research students.
What we are researching
Criminology and criminal justice
- Asset recovery, organised and syndicated crime
- Community, neighbourhood and intelligence-led policing
- Cyber and criminal justice system
- Criminal statistics
- Early intervention, anti-social behaviour and social control
- Ethnicity, community and identity
- Human rights
- Meta-analysis and realist evaluation techniques
- Methods for researching crime
- Prison effects and interventions with offenders
- Racism and hate crime
- Technology and surveillance, securitisation and biometrics
- Victims of crime and victimisation
- Youth justice
Developments in methodology
- Methodological research
- Development of social simulation methodology,
- Improvement of social measurement in social survey research
- Dissemination of good practice
- Analysis of the use made by researchers of qualitative data analysis software.
- Development and refinement of techniques of secondary analysis (both quantitative and qualitative)
- New online and web-based research methods
- Triangulation and exploring the complexities of multi-method methodologies in sociology
Digital societies
- Emerging technologies
- Data and platforms in contemporary mediated societies
- Datafication
- Platforms
- Internet of things
- Intersections of society
- Digital technology
- Youth cultures
- Peer-to-peer production
- Digital health
Science, environment and technologies
- Sociological frameworks
- Contemporary communications technologies
- Applications of computational technologies in the social and natural sciences
- Sociology of the environment and sustainability
- Sociology of knowledge production, dissemination and consumption in diverse settings cuts across these substantive foci
- Theoretical development and the explication of new methodological approaches
- Novel scientific and technological developments
Identities, diversities and the life course
- Childhood
- Community and belonging
- Environmental practices
- Ethnicities, race and migrations
- Gender
- Generation and transition
- Health and well-being
- Later life and ageing.
- Sexual identities
- Sociology of sleep
- Student identities
- Youth subcultures
Find a course
We have a strong postgraduate research community, diverse research centres and a host of research training activities.
Find out more about applying to Surrey.
Studentships
South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) studentship
Funding information:
Awards cover UK tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI home rate on a full-time and part-time basis. The UKRI has not yet announced the fees and stipend for 2026/27, but for the academic year of 2025/26 the UK fees are £5,006 and the stipend is £20,780 (£21,237 if London weighting applies). This competition-funded studentship is available to UK and International students and includes full UK or International fee waiver and stipend at UKRI rates. Please see eligibility criteria for further information.Further your studies
Full-time postgraduate research students have the opportunity to take modules from our MSc Social Research Methods and can attend in-house short courses, covering topics such as computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS).
Expert support
Our Doctoral College supports the academic and professional development of postgraduate researchers to ensure our world-leading research continues to grow. There is also an extensive Researcher Development Programme run at university level.
