phd sociology lancaster

Sociology PhD Lancaster University

• On campus - h Main Site
• Oct 1, 2024 Part-time - 4 years
• Oct 1, 2024 Full-time - 3 years

Key Course Facts

• Admission advice for international students

Course Description

This degree provides an opportunity to develop your own research expertise in an interdisciplinary department. Our staff are involved with research centres and groups looking at everything from Social Futures and Inequalities to Data Science, Mobilities and Migration. Our staff also have expertise in, for example, Actor Network Theory, Practice Theories, Cultural Studies, racisms and diverse methodologies.

You will study with some exciting sociological thinkers in a dynamic and supportive research environment. You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases there is cross-departmental supervision.

A programme of skills and dissertation workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students within the Sociology Department runs throughout the year.

In addition, you are encouraged to attend any relevant MA taught modules, but are not required to take any for credit as part of your degree.

Assessment Methods

Entry requirements / admissions, requirements for international students / english requirements.

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

• Graduate Degrees
• Undergraduate Degrees

UCAS Sponsorship Information

Bachelor's degree: 2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant social science.

Master's degree: a good Masters degree in Sociology or a related discipline.

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

As part of your application you will also need to provide a viable research proposal. Guidance can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.

As part of your application you also need to provide an example of your written work (eg MA Coursework, article or research paper).

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

Average student cost of living in the UK

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of lancaster university in top uk and global rankings., about lancaster university.

Lancaster University was established in 1964 and is located in the rural setting of Lancaster. The campus provides a series of amenities, including banks and a post office. Academically, all of this university’s courses and programmes are accredited and approved by MARP, ensuring that the curriculums delivered here are set at a high standard. In terms of facilities, students have access to a variety of study and recreational spaces intended to improve their wellbeing, such as Meditation and Tai Chi classes, and Woodland walks.

List of 452 Bachelor and Master Courses from Lancaster University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Lancaster University

Where is this programme taught.

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We have over 12,000 students across one of the safest campuses in the UK

92% of Lancaster University graduates go into work or further study

• Research at Lancaster
• Researchers
• Departments & Centres

Publications & Outputs

• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• CeMoRe - Centre for Mobilities Research
• Centre for Alternatives to Social and Economic Inequalities
• Centre for Child and Family Justice Research
• Centre for Disability Research CeDR
• Centre for Gender Studies
• Centre for Science Studies
• Centre for the Study of Environmental Change
• Cultural Political Economy Research Centre CPERC
• DEMAND - Dynamics of Energy, Mobility and Demand
• Feminist Media Studies Research Group
• Migrancy Research Group
• Mobilities.Lab
• UNESCO Chair in Gender Research Group
• Violence and Society UNESCO Centre
• Publications

Contact information

• http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/sociology
• Phone: +44 (0) 1524 593148
• Fax: +44 (0) 1524 594256

Organisation profile

Sociology at Lancaster is renowned for its creative and groundbreaking research. One of the most highly regarded departments in the world, Lancaster Sociology has played a central role in the emergence of this important field of academic study. The Department offers a full range of challenging undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and provides an intense and exciting research environment for research students, researchers and visiting scholars.

Former organisations

• Cesagen - ESRC Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics

Hidden in plain sight- Audience engagement in China’s data journalism

Research output : Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Health service use of infants involved in family justice care and supervision proceedings in Wales: a data linkage study

Geographies of new caledonia-kanaky: environments, politics and cultures.

Research output : Book/Report/Proceedings › Book

Fandom of a transgressive woman: How mainland Chinese fans of a censored singer negotiate identities and transborder solidarity

Activity : Talk or presentation types › Invited talk

Queer Medical Humanities Network: Public Research Showcase

Activity : Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

Lancaster Litfest

Activity : Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference - Public

‘Prejudice, Islamophobia’: Free speech fears as UK redefines extremism

Press/Media : Newspaper Article

The British Monarchy

Press/Media : Research

LBC Nick Ferrari at Breakfast: Home Secretary Suella Braverman sacked

Press/Media : Radio Interview/Appearance

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Sociology PhD Lancaster University

Course options

Qualification.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Lancaster University

• TUITION FEES
• ENTRY REQUIREMENT
• UNIVERSITY INFO

Course summary

This degree provides an opportunity to develop your own research expertise in an interdisciplinary department. Our staff are involved with research centres and groups looking at everything from Inequalities to Data Science, Mobilities and Migration. Our staff also have expertise in, for example, Actor Network Theory, Practice Theories, Cultural Studies, racisms and diverse methodologies.

You will study with some exciting sociological thinkers in a dynamic and supportive research environment. You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases there is cross-departmental supervision.

A programme of skills and dissertation workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students within the Sociology Department runs throughout the year.

In addition, you are encouraged to attend any relevant MA taught modules, but are not required to take any for credit as part of your degree.

Tuition fees

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£ 21,082 per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University League Table

Campus address.

Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 4YW, England

Subject rankings

Subject ranking.

17th out of 101 5

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Sociology PhD

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days ?

Different course options

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Lancaster University

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Course info

Entry requirements, tuition fees, latest reviews.

This degree provides an opportunity to develop your own research expertise in an interdisciplinary department. Our staff are involved with research centres and groups looking at everything from Inequalities to Data Science, Mobilities and Migration. Our staff also have expertise in, for example, Actor Network Theory, Practice Theories, Cultural Studies, racisms and diverse methodologies.

You will study with some exciting sociological thinkers in a dynamic and supportive research environment. You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases there is cross-departmental supervision.

A programme of skills and dissertation workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students within the Sociology Department runs throughout the year.

In addition, you are encouraged to attend any relevant MA taught modules, but are not required to take any for credit as part of your degree.

What students say

There’s a good amount of bars on campus, staff are nice, the student Union is the worst.. Read more

Lovely campus.. Read more

Students need to have - Bachelor's degree: 2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant social science; Master's degree: a good Masters degree in Sociology or a related discipline. We may also consider non-standard applicants.

Students living in

£4,786 per year

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)

£21,082 per year

Students from EU

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

Students from International

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

Latest Sociology reviews

Review breakdown, how all students rated:.

Bailrigg Lancaster Lancashire LA1 4YW

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Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree: 2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant social science

Master's degree: a good Master's degree in Sociology or a related discipline.

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Additional Requirements

As part of your application you will also need to provide a viable research proposal. Guidance can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.

As part of your application you also need to provide an example of your written work (eg MA Coursework, article or research paper)

Months of entry

January, April, July, October

Course content

This degree provides an opportunity to develop your own research expertise in an interdisciplinary department. Our staff are involved with research centres and groups looking at everything from Social Futures and Inequalities to Disability, Mobilities and Migration, and the Political Economy. Our staff also have particular expertise in, for example, Actor Network Theory, Practice Theories, Cultural Studies and diverse methodologies.

You will study with some exciting sociological thinkers in a dynamic and supportive research environment. You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevent to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases there is cross-departmental supervision.

A programme of skills and dissertation workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students within the Sociology Department runs throughout the year.

In addition, you are encouraged to attend any relevant MA taught modules, but are not required to take any for credit as part of your degree.

Information for international students

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email [email protected]

Fees and funding

Learn more at our fees and funding page

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

• Campus-based learning is available for this qualification

Course contact details

Ph.D. Program

Grad student, Tamkinat Rauf, with Sociologist, William Julius Wilson, at a CASBS event. Image credit: Jerry Wang, courtesy of CASBS at Stanford

The Ph.D. program is defined by a commitment to highly analytical sociology

The program trains graduate students to use a range of methods – quantitative and qualitative – and data – survey, administrative, experimental, interview, direct observation, and more – to answer pressing empirical questions and to advance important theoretical and policy debates.

The Ph.D. curriculum and degree requirements provide students with the methodological skills, substantive knowledge, and mentorship to make important and impactful contributions to sociological knowledge. The program guides Ph.D. students to work on ambitious, independent research projects about which students are passionate. Graduates finish the program well-positioned to be leaders in the field of sociology.

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Lancaster university: gender and women's studies, doctor of philosophy - phd, full-time, 36 months started oct 2023.

The PhD in Gender and Women’s Studies gives you the opportunity to develop your own research skills and expertise as part of our vibrant cross-faculty feminist community. As part of this you will have a chance to be part of our active research community and to engage with both formal (e.g. seminars) and informal (e.g. coffee mornings) gatherings of staff spread across a number of research centres and departments.

You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases there is cross-departmental supervision.

A programme of skills and dissertation workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students within the Sociology Department runs throughout the year.

In addition, you are encouraged to attend any relevant MA taught modules, but are not required to take any for credit as part of your degree.

Part-Time, 48 months started Oct 2023

Full-time, 36 months started oct 2022.

You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevent to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases there is cross-departmental supervision.

Part-Time, 36 months started Oct 2022

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The MA in Gender and Women’s Studies is a taught postgraduate degree which aims to deepen your perspectives on gender studies and feminism.

You will have the opportunity to gain a thorough knowledge of the key debates and authors within Gender and Women’s Studies as well as the opportunity to develop specialist interests and key research skills. Core modules aim to take you through the intellectual traditions, concepts and politics which have shaped the evolution of Women’s Studies inside and outside the academy and will give you greater methodological confidence to do your own research.

Part-Time, 24 months started Oct 2022

Lancaster University is home to a dynamic postgraduate community and offers a wealth of both taught and research study options across a wide range of subject areas. Studying at Lancaster is all about broadening your horizons, finding new perspectives and discovering new experiences. By living and studying with students and staff from over 130 countries students join a global community and have the opportunity to make international connections.

We are proud to be highly ranked in three major UK league tables. We are also climbing in the world rankings and are currently in the top 125 out of more than …

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Sociology, Ph.D.

College of Arts and Sciences

Become an expert social scientist able to conduct innovative research, understand and model human behavior in a variety of professional settings and teach with excellence.

Our sociology doctoral program offers close research mentorship from diverse and highly qualified faculty members in four main areas: social networks, social psychology, health and well-being, and inequalities. We offer a warm and supportive environment in which to develop your skills and scholarly publications.

Program Highlights

In-depth study.

Engage in rigorous academic study in a productive department while developing a foundation in social scientific theory.

Data Analysis

Develop concrete skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods suited for a variety of jobs.

Marketable Skills

Hone your project management and communication skills, which are sought after in many workplaces.

Valuable Impact

Define and study social problems, identify structural factors that contribute to outcomes, and analyze connections.

What You’ll Study

Apply a breadth and depth of discipline-specific knowledge, major theories and theoretical approaches in sociology overall and in a selected specialty area. Utilize advanced statistical tools and a range of research methods, such as advanced causal modeling techniques, survey research, experimental methods and qualitative methods. Develop professional teaching skills.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

Examining and interpreting information to uncover insights and inform decision making

Public Speaking

Delivering a message or presentation to an audience effectively and persuasively

Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books and reports

Attention to Detail

Being meticulous and thorough in all aspects of a task or project

Problem Solving

Identifying, analyzing and resolving problems or challenges using creative and effective strategies

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

• Research Scientist
• Social Work Director
• User Experience Lead
• Marketing Executive

Workplace Settings

• Private Industry
• Social Media

USC sociology has top-notch faculty, classes that prepare you for a variety of careers and a diverse community of supportive people who want to see you succeed.

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• Entry year 2024
• Duration Full time 36 Months, Part time 48 Months

his degree provides an opportunity to develop your own research expertise in an interdisciplinary department. Our staff are involved with research centres and groups looking at everything from Inequalities to Data Science, Mobilities and Migration. Our staff also have expertise in, for example, Actor Network Theory, Practice Theories, Cultural Studies, racisms and diverse methodologies.

You will study with some exciting sociological thinkers in a dynamic and supportive research environment. You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases there is cross-departmental supervision.

A programme of skills and dissertation workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students within the Sociology Department runs throughout the year.

In addition, you are encouraged to attend any relevant MA taught modules, but are not required to take any for credit as part of your degree.

Your department

• Sociology Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• Telephone +44 (0)1524 593148

Entry requirements

Academic requirements.

Bachelor's degree: 2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant social science

Master's degree : a good Master's degree in Sociology or a related discipline.

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Additional Requirements

As part of your application you will also need to provide a viable research proposal. Guidance can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.

As part of your application you also need to provide an example of your written work (eg MA Coursework, article or research paper)

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications .

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes .

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email [email protected]

Fees and funding

General fees and funding information

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee  which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated  IT support helpdesk  is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.

For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your  fee status .

If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. Read more about  fees in subsequent years .

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities .

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries .

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Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information .

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies .

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Where is Lancaster?

Lancaster is easy to get to and surrounded by natural beauty.

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Our campus and the surrounding area is a great place to call home.

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Build your global community on campus and around the world.

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Services to help you fulfil your potential at Lancaster.

Introduction

In the UK, thesis usually means an unpublished work submitted for a doctoral degree, while a dissertation is a work produced at undergraduate or masters' level.

Lancaster University doctoral theses must be deposited with the Library when a degree is awarded. They will be searchable in  OneSearch  as soon as possible.

• If you know the author or title of the thesis, search OneSearch and limit your search to Theses/Dissertations using the 'Limit to:' dropdown.
• If you wish to browse through recent theses from your department, go to  Advanced Search , and set the  Material type  to Theses/Dissertations. Use the  Publication date  box to set the date, and put the name of the Department into one of the search boxes.  Click on the Lancaster Collections tab.
• Theses and dissertations are for use only within the Library. Ask at the Information Point.
• Some theses have been digitised by the British Library and are available in their  Electronic Theses Online Service (EThOS) database

Finding Theses and Dissertations

Theses and dissertations play an important role in locating current research and scholarship. They are extremely valuable resources, providing information on specialised topics, including bibliographic citations to related resources, and additional material such as data sets. This guide will help you find theses from Lancaster University and other institutions both in the UK and world wide.

Finding theses at Lancaster University, in the UK and Worldwide

This short video will help you start searching for theses or dissertations on particular subjects. There is further guidance in the information tabs below.

Top Tips for finding theses and dissertations

Theses and Dissertations at Lancaster University

Doctoral theses.

The Library provides access to Lancaster University research theses, including doctoral level theses, MPhil theses and Masters by Research theses. 

Since April 2020, research theses are available in electronic format only. Up to that date, theses are available either in print format only, or in both print  and electronic formats. An increasing number of our older research theses are available digitally.

Print Theses

You can discover print theses via  OneSearch . Print theses can be retrieved for  consultation in the Library only  during Library service hours.

Electronic Theses

You can discover and access electronic theses in the Lancaster University open access repository  Lancaster EPrints  and also via  OneSearch

Taught Masters' and Undergraduate Dissertations

Lancaster University does not have a mandatory requirement for dissertations completed as part of a taught master's degree to be deposited with the Library. However there are a small number of masters' dissertations in print format only held in the Library and can be found via  OneSearch . Please note that these dissertations represent only a very small number of academic departments.

• MBA dissertations are not held in the Library and may be consulted in the Management School by members of Lancaster University only.
• Undergraduate dissertations are not held in the Library. Some departments hold selected recent copies for consultation by members of Lancaster University only.

Theses and Dissertations at Other Institutions in the UK and Worldwide

This guide can help you find theses and dissertations awarded by other institutions both in the UK and internationally. Use the resources listed in the tabs below to start your search.

The EThOS service is currently unavailable a result of a  cyber-attack . Updates on British Library services are available via their  blog .

Index to Theses

Index to Theses  lists most postgraduate theses and dissertations accepted by universities in the UK and Ireland since 1716. Abstracts are provided for many theses. There are also links to universities' electronic repositories, so you can check for the full text.

EThOS  is a service from the British Library. Its long-term aim is to provide electronic access to the full text of doctoral theses produced in the UK. You may search their records without registering, but if you wish to download a thesis you must first register. This ensures that a full record is kept of who has consulted each thesis, protecting the author's intellectual property. There is no charge for downloading a thesis that is already available in digital format. There are approximately 500,000 records relating to theses awarded by over 120 institutions. Around 260,000 of these also provide access to the full text thesis, either via download from the EThOS database or via links to the institution’s own repository. Of the remaining 220,000 records dating back to at least 1800, three quarters are available to be ordered for scanning through the EThOS digitisation-on-demand facility.  Every month around 3000 new records are added and an additional 2000 full text theses become accessible.

If the thesis you require has not been digitised yet, the British Library will obtain it and digitise it, and you'll be informed when it is ready to download. Users ordering a copy through digitisation on demand may experience a turnaround time of up to 6 weeks. There may also be a charge for the scanning process. Details are provided within each record. You can see details of the charges before you order it.

A few UK universities are not taking part in the EThOS service, including Oxford and Cambridge. If you need a doctoral thesis from one of these institutions, please contact  for advice.

Masters' and Undergraduate Theses

In the UK, doctoral theses are always kept in the institution's library, either in print or in electronic form. The rules for masters' theses vary. In some institutions they are in the library, but in others copies are kept only in individual departments. Undergraduate dissertations are seldom retained by university libraries; however the student's department may have a copy.

Most UK libraries will lend masters' dissertations to other libraries. Please apply through our  service.

ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global

ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global  (PQDT Global) – The world's most comprehensive collection of full-text dissertations and theses. As the official digital dissertations archive for the Library of Congress and as the database of record for graduate research, PQDT Global includes millions of searchable citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day together with over a million full-text dissertations that are available for download in PDF format. The database offers full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full-text coverage for older graduate works. Annually, around 70,000 new, full-text documents are added to the collection from 700+ academic institutions worldwide.

Electronic Theses Around the World

Many universities make some of their theses available electronically, free-of-charge The resources here will help you find them.

NDLTD  – An Open Access Initiative union catalogue of theses and dissertations from many countries, which are all immediately available electronically. There are links through to institutional repositories.

Open Access Theses and Dissertations  – This is an index of over 1.6 million electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) which are freely available over the web.

Theses and Dissertations by Country or Region

• Trove  – Access to lists of ALL Australian theses and dissertations, and to a database of Australian doctoral theses freely available electronically. 
• Dissertationsdatenbank  – covers Austria.
• Theses.fr  – Details of theses awarded in France, with access to the full text of around 5,000 of them. Also information on theses in preparation
• SUDOC  – is a French union catalogue which can be restricted to searches on theses and dissertations completed at universities in France. 

South Africa:

• South African National ETD portal  – Electronic theses submitted to universities in South Africa
• Dialnet  – Theses at Spanish universities, many with links to full text.

Subject Lists

Many subject databases include theses and dissertations alongside articles and books. These include:  EconLit ,  MLA Bibliography , and  PsycINFO .

You can find Lancaster theses in Lancaster EPrints and OneSearch. Many of our theses are now available in electronic format. However, if you are looking for an older thesis it may only be available as a print thesis for consultation in the Library only.

EPrints  includes the most recently added electronic Lancaster theses. Please note that some electronic theses are embargoed and will not be available for access.

Search Tips

Once you have accessed EPrints, the best way to search for theses is to use the  Advanced Search  - click on  Search  at the top right of the screen.

Searching by keyword or subject  

1. Enter your search terms in either the  Title  box,  Uncontrolled Keywords  box or select a subject term from the  Subjects  list

2. Check the  Thesis  box in the  Item Type  section to narrow your search to just include theses

Searching by department

1. Select a department from the list in the  Departments  section

2. Check the  Thesis  box in the  Item Type  section to narrow your search to just include theses

Searching by author

1. Enter the author's surname or family name in the  Creators  box

2. Check the  Thesis  box in the  Item Type  section to narrow your search to just include theses

OneSearch  includes both print and electronic theses.

To search for electronic theses

1. Enter your search term in the search box. This could be the name of a department, a subject keyword, an author's name, etc. Then select  Full Text Online . 

2. This will retrieve a list of records. To restrict your search to theses, click on the  Theses  filter on the right hand side of the screen under  Resource type

To search for print theses

1. Enter your search term in the search box. This could be the name of a department, a subject keyword, an author's name, etc. Then select  Books and more . 

2. This will retrieve a list of records. To restrict your search to theses, click on the  Theses  filter on the right hand side of the screen under  Resource type

Finding out about theses and dissertations in progress is not easy.  There are a number of listings, many concentrating on a particular subject or geographical area.  The links below cover some of them.  Many of the listings are not updated frequently.

Do remember though that people often change the topic of their thesis during the course of their research.  Many students do not complete on time and there is no guarantee that someone who registered to do a particular subject will in fact produce written work which you can read.

If you know of departments and institutions working in your field, do investigate their websites.

UK Research Councils  – all list the projects they are funding. A search of their  Gateway to Research  databases will help you to identify current and completed research awards, including publications and theses.

Theses.fr  – Theses in progress in France, from 2001 onwards.

Current Legal Research Topics Database  – is maintained by the Institute for Advanced Legal Studies. It aims to cover theses in preparation in the UK in the field of legal research and is updated annually.

Theses in Progress in Commonwealth Studies 2013  – covers UK universities and is updated annually.

History On-Line: Theses in Progress  – is a service from the Institute for Historical Research, which covers the UK and Ireland.

Lancaster Thesis Digitisation Trial

The University Library is pleased to announce that it has embarked on an exciting trial project to digitise 250 doctoral level theses from its print collection as a first step to investigating the feasibility of making the University’s collection of research theses available online.

There are approximately 1,500 doctoral level theses available in electronic format through Lancaster Eprints and the British Library EThOS service as a result of mandatory electronic deposit for research theses for students registered from October 2011 onwards. However, the Library holds approximately 6,500 doctoral theses in print format only, dating from the late 1960s. 

What are the benefits of doing this?

Print theses are difficult to find, and time consuming and often costly to access, creating barriers to the availability of the unique research they contain. A digital thesis collection maximises the visibility of an institution’s doctoral theses and helps promote its research profile on a global platform to a wide range of researchers. Authors and institutions benefit as there is huge potential to promote their research.

The trial thesis digitisation project

We selected 250 print theses from the collection using criteria based on the number of print consultations since 2012 and representing disciplines from each faculty, including theses from the 1970s onwards to allow us to evaluate digitisation quality for different reproduction techniques. We made the decision to work with an external company, ProQuest, to take full advantage of their proven expertise in working with digitisation projects of this nature.

How will we use the results of the trial to move forwards?

The trial will allow us to evaluate digitisation quality for text created both by typewriter and word processor, as well as supplementary material such as fold outs, original photographic images and accompanying software in a variety of formats.

We will monitor usage figures for the digitised theses very closely to determine the likely reach and impact of a digital thesis collection. In addition to quantitative measures, we will also invite feedback from authors, supervisors and users on the benefits of digital access.

Evidence provided from the trial project will inform the decision on whether investment into a full digitisation project will enhance both the research reputation of the institution and provide alumni with the opportunity to raise the profile of their research in the context of contemporary debate.

Are you an author of a PhD thesis?

Owing to the size of the collection, and because we do not have up-to-date contact details for all authors, we will not be contacting authors individually to inform them that their thesis will be digitised and made available online.

If you are an author of a PhD thesis, we would like to hear your thoughts about the online availability of your work. If you wish your thesis to not be publicly available, please  contact the Library  and we will be happy to discuss with you the most appropriate action to take. The Library operates a takedown policy to remove thesis content in the event of an author requesting that their thesis is removed from open access.

Has my thesis been digitised?

We digitised 250 theses for the trial project. Please click on this link to the Lancaster Repository  EPrints  and search for your name and/or thesis title keywords. If we have digitised your thesis you will see a record with the thesis details and a link to the full text document

How can I see my thesis online?

Click on the link to  Eprints  and search for your thesis. Click on the  Download  link to access the full text.

Why has the Library digitised these theses?

Digitising the entire thesis collection will require significant investment. To measure the return on investment in terms of scholarly impact, we have set up a trial project to allow us to measure usage and feedback. The theses we have selected represent departments from all faculties, ranging from the 1970s to the present.

Who can access the online theses?

The digital theses will be universally available to anyone on an open access basis. This means the theses will be distributed online, free of cost and other barriers to access.

Will the theses be available indefinitely?

Yes. The full text files will be preserved indefinitely. Copies of the full text files will also be held by the British Library.  The British Library will preserve all theses held in EThOS by uploading them to the Library’s digital store for long term preservation. This provides institutions with the reassurance the theses will be preserved in perpetuity and a back-up copy always available.

Will all theses be digitised?

Digitisation of the whole thesis collection is dependent on the outcome of the trial project. If the results of the project demonstrate a positive outcome in terms of usage and feedback, we will be in a position to recommend investment into the digitisation of the whole collection. All doctoral level theses would then be digitised with the exception of those theses which are unsuitable either because of format or content. Theses for which authors have refused permission for digitisation will not be included.

My thesis has been digitised and I want it taken down – how do I do this?

Lancaster University Library operates a strict takedown process facilitating the removal of any thesis. Details of the service’s take down policy can be found here  Thesis Takedown Policy . If you wish your thesis to be removed, please contact the library  with the details of your work, your own contact details and the reason for removal.

My thesis isn’t online yet – can it be digitised?

The best way to make your thesis available in digital format is to provide the Library with a .pdf copy of your thesis. We can upload the .pdf file to our research portal PURE and the thesis will be available via the EPrints repository immediately. Please contact the library  for further information.

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Applied Social Science PhD

Lancaster university, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, similar courses at different universities, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

Social Studies: Applied

Course type

We have an active research community within the fields of child protection, theories of welfare, gender and sexuality, family support and family justice, law and social work, community care, and health and social care. Recent work has been informed by a growing emphasis on issues of equal opportunities, social justice, poverty and social exclusion.

You will join an international and interdisciplinary community with students working on PhDs in Sociology, Gender Studies, Science Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, and Applied Social Science. You will be assigned PhD supervisors (usually two), and consideration will be taken to match you with supervisor(s) whose current active research interests and expertise are relevant to your chosen topic. Close working relations are enjoyed with other departments at Lancaster, and in some cases, there is cross-departmental supervision.

A programme of skills and dissertation workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students within the Sociology Department runs throughout the year.

In addition, you are encouraged to attend any relevant MA taught modules but are not required to take any for credit as part of your degree.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

Students need to have: Bachelor's degree: an upper second class honours degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant social science background; Master's degree: a good masters degree in a relevant subject.

Applied Psychology - PhD

University of kent, ma applied social science, university of wolverhampton.

School of Social and Political Science

Phd sociology, introduction.

The deadline to apply for September 2024 entry is Monday 1 July 2024.

We welcome applications for PhD study in Sociology

Edinburgh is one of the leading international centres of excellence for postgraduate study in sociology. Our PhD degree is eligible for Economic and Social Research Council funding for UK and EU students, but our postgraduate research students come from all over the world and we have a vibrant and diverse postgraduate student community, which plays a full role in the life of the department. Many of our students have non-sociology backgrounds and bring with them experience and expertise from other disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Whatever your background, you will thrive at Edinburgh.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Postgraduate Admissions Advisor (Research) [email protected] to discuss their research proposals and the availability of appropriate research supervision, using the email address on the right-hand side of the page.

Questions about eligibility, conditions of entrance, and other aspects of the application and scholarship process should be addressed to [email protected]

Our PhD programme accommodates a great variety of work intellectually and methodologically. We have particular research strengths in the areas of:

• digital sociology
• finance and economic sociology
• environment and energy
• nationalism and political action
• race and decolonisation

But this list does not do full justice to the breadth of work undertaken by our PhD researchers. This work also includes a variety of research approaches, and our staff are equipped to supervise advanced quantitative analysis; digital research; qualitative and ethnographic methods; documentary analysis (including historical and biographical approaches); and mixed methods.

We play a leading role in large methodological initiatives hosted at Edinburgh, including one of the key UK units of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods and the Applied Quantitative Methods Network ( AQMEN ), as well as the University's Centres for Research on Families and Relationships ,  South Asian Studies  and Canadian Studies .

Our staff are also highly diverse in their origins and the geographical scope of their expertise. We do research covering the UK and other parts of Europe; the Americas (including Latin America); Africa; and across the Middle East, South and East Asia (including China). The work of our PhD researchers also reflects this geographical diversity. 

We provide the necessary training and guidance to support your PhD research and develop your scholarly potential while also equipping you with wider skills, knowledge and experience as the basis for a career within or outside academia. 

PhD researchers in Sociology are allocated a supervisor and a co-supervisor, who advise on the entirety of the research process, from reading and assembling ideas, fieldwork, analysing empirical or theoretical materials, writing up chapters, completing the thesis, and the viva examination which rounds off the process. You are encouraged to contact staff with similar interests to yours and discuss ideas prior to application.

In your first year, you will participate in the Sociology Postgraduate Research Seminar, which runs throughout the academic year. As well as having a cohort- and community-building purpose, this will equip you with the scholarly skills necessary to succeed in your studies and research. It concludes with a research conference in which first year PhD students play a leading role.

You are also expected in your first year to follow the research training courses most appropriate for your proposed methods, and to develop your knowledge of relevant literature and your research design, culminating in submission of a full research proposal 9-12 months after commencement of studies. Subsequent years of the PhD are devoted to research, data analysis and writing of the thesis, alongside any further specific or general training you require or choose to follow. Typically, there are also opportunities for paid teaching employment throughout. 

While we will consider any PhD topic for supervision, to help you identify potential supervisors you might review the key people under our key research themes to see if any of these match your interests. Here you can also find (via the Methods theme) some indication of our areas of particular methodological expertise. You can also review all the personal pages and interests of our academic staff .

Applying for this PhD

• Identify potential supervisors suited to your research interests
• Write a draft research proposal
• Contact the Postgraduate Advisor with your research proposal and list of potential supervisors
• Once discussed with the Postgraduate Advisor, formally submit your application on EUCLID

Postgraduate Advisor

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

Discover more about Sociology at Manchester

PhD Sociology / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

• View full page

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. Our research fits into six key clusters :

• social inequality and stratification;
• race, ethnicity and migration;
• networks, relationality and everyday lives;
• social movements and protest;
• 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.

Additional programme information

Humanities Doctoral Academy

Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high-quality services for postgraduate researchers.

We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey.   This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination, and graduation. We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.

We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

All appointments are made on merit.

The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

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 centres .  

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 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: 

• 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 PGRs’ work and establish agreed parameters for the progression of each project.

Programme unit list

The programme unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme of study.

Related research

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) Sociology at Manchester was ranked 3rd in the UK in terms (by grade point average) among the 37 departments assessed under Unit of Assessment 21.  

92% of our research was judged to be in the highest two categories (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.  

Our research environment was also judged to be strong, with 100% judged to be (4*) 'world-leading'.

Read more about our Sociology research at Manchester.

What our students say

The School of Social Sciences is now based in a brand new purpose-built building which allows 24/7 access, providing you with desk space, computing facilities, shelf space and lockers in the Arthur Lewis Building.

There is also, shared workspace available for research students within the Discipline Area and also a dedicated area in the atrium with computer terminals.

The University of Manchester Library

Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.

Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester. 

Disability support