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Earning A Ph.D. In Sociology: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: May 30, 2023, 2:17am

Earning a Ph.D. in sociology helps you build a high-level career in a competitive field. As the discipline’s terminal degree, a doctorate in sociology qualifies graduates for roles in academia, business, government and nonprofits.

Ph.D. in sociology programs provide a strong grounding in sociological theory and practice and the opportunity to conduct original research.

If you want to explore a Ph.D. in sociology, this article is for you. We’ll explain what to expect from a doctoral program in sociology, including admission criteria, common requirements and sociology careers for graduates.

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What Does a Ph.D. in Sociology Entail?

What is sociology ? This field studies societies and the human relationships within them, often with the goal of addressing inequities and divisions.

A sociology Ph.D. prepares you to conduct independent research or teach at the college level. Here’s what you should expect if you plan to earn a Ph.D. in sociology.

Ph.D. in Sociology Admission Requirements

Admission to Ph.D. in sociology programs is highly competitive, with acceptance rates at some schools as low as 4%.

Admissions committees look at several factors when considering grad school applicants . Ph.D. in sociology programs typically require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.5, plus a statement of purpose, scholarly writing samples, a résumé, recommendation letters and GRE scores.

Competitive applicants hold strong social science backgrounds with completed coursework in sociological theory, statistics and research methods. Most doctoral programs in sociology accept candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s in sociology or a related field. Those with bachelor’s degrees in sociology typically earn a master’s midway through the doctoral program.

Applicants without a sociology background can use their personal statement to explain how their experience and interests align with a sociology program.

Ph.D in Sociology Program Formats

Most doctoral sociology programs are traditional on-campus programs. Fully online Ph.D. programs in sociology are rare, though students may take individual courses online.

Ph.D. candidates spend less time on campus once they begin their dissertations. However, it’s wise to select your school and living situation with regular campus visits in mind.

Learners set on an online program are more likely to find an online Ph.D. program in a related major, such as a doctorate in social work .

Common Ph.D. in Sociology Degree Requirements

Sociological theory.

Many Ph.D. in sociology programs include one or more required theory courses. Understanding sociological theory helps future sociologists engage with the discipline’s history and its contemporary debates as researchers, thinkers and teachers.

Theory courses cover seminal theorists like Karl Marx, Max Weber and Émile Durkheim and explore how contemporary writers and researchers apply, challenge and adapt classical sociological thought to current issues and perspectives.

Social Data Analysis and Research

Courses in social data analysis and research bring theory into practice. A Ph.D. is a research-oriented degree that prepares graduates to produce independent research projects like dissertations.

Students learn to conduct sociological studies, draw conclusions and present findings. Data analysis and collection methods include interviews, field notes and statistical analysis.

In some programs, candidates build hands-on skills in a research practicum. Learners can also gain research experience (and help pay for their degrees ) through faculty research assistantships.

Complete Residency Credits

“Residency credits” refer to how many courses you take at your degree-granting institution. Most Ph.D. candidates fulfill residency requirements simply by completing their program’s coursework. Sometimes, a doctoral student can earn residency credits by completing a master’s degree in sociology from the same school as their doctorate.

However, transfer students and those intending to study abroad should consult an advisor or registrar to ensure they meet residency credit requirements.

Careers for Ph.D. in Sociology Graduates

What can you do with a sociology degree ? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports only 3,000 sociologists working in the United States as of 2021, though many individuals with doctorates in sociology hold other job titles. Doctoral degrees demonstrate research skills and specialized training to set candidates apart in a tight job market.

For many roles, particularly in academia, a Ph.D. is mandatory. Below, we highlight some common career paths for Ph.D. in sociology graduates. All salary data mentioned below is sourced from the BLS.

Sociology Professor

Median Annual Salary: $79,640 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +12% Job Description: Sociology professors train the next generation of sociologists. Depending on their institution and experience, sociology professors teach undergraduates from other majors as well. Along with classroom responsibilities, sociology professors may conduct research, publish articles and books, attend academic conferences and serve on administrative committees.

Human Resources Manager

Median Annual Salary: $126,230 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +7% Job Description: Sociologists use data to understand human behavior and can apply this knowledge to many business subfields, especially in people-focused fields like human resources . Human resource managers have many personnel-centered responsibilities, including hiring and training, mediating disputes and helping shape an organization’s workplace culture.

Sociologist

Median Annual Salary: $92,910 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +5% Job Description: Sociologists in and out of academia can pursue research roles. According to the BLS , more sociologists hold research and development roles in social sciences and humanities than in any other industry. Sociologists study social behavior, design and conduct research studies, and present their findings through reports, articles and presentations.

Social and Community Service Managers

Median Annual Salary: $74,000 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +12% Job Description: A social and community services career suits Ph.D. in sociology graduates seeking applied—rather than research-based—careers. Managers in this sector plan, shape and oversee programs and services that support public well-being.

Social and community service managers work for nonprofit and for-profit social services organizations and government agencies and target needs such as elder services, child and family services, food security or mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Ph.D. in Sociology

What can i do with a sociology ph.d..

Many Ph.D. in sociology graduates go into academia and research-focused careers. However, sociology graduates can also find work in human resources, marketing and social services.

How much do you make with a Ph.D. in sociology?

A Ph.D. in sociology qualifies graduates for various high-paying jobs. One of the highest-paying jobs is human resources manager, with an annual median salary of $126,230 as of 2021, according to the BLS . Sociology professors and research sociologists earn median annual salaries of $79,640 and $92,910 as of 2021, respectively.

How many years does it take to get a Ph.D. in sociology?

A typical Ph.D. in sociology program lasts five to six years. Students with work or family obligations may take longer to complete their degrees. Conversely, candidates with a master’s in sociology may finish faster. Some programs allow candidates to take up to nine years in certain circumstances.

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• What Can You Do With A PhD In Sociology?
• After a PhD

Introduction

This article will answer “what can you do with a PhD in Sociology?”. First, let’s start with the basics: Sociology is a social science which aims to understand the behaviour of society. This is a very broad definition but captures the essence of the subject. Sociology studies range from the structure of different groups and organisations within society to divisions from religion, class, race, age and gender.

A PhD degree in sociology provides insight into social concepts and requires a strong understanding of research methods, statistics, data collection and analysis. Research shows that most Social science graduates move into academia, though other (non-academic) career options exist.

Data on leavers

The Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Longitudinal Survey, carried out by HSEA, captures information about the activities and perspectives of graduates three and a half years after they completed their studies. Based on over 11,000 responses from 2012/13 Social study leavers, approximately 83% of UK domiciled leavers who achieved a qualification through postgraduate research were in work, with another approx. 7.5% in further study.

Destinations of 2012/13 UK and other EU domiciled leavers with postgraduate research in Social studies.

More information on this data can be found here . The same survey also includes information on those in employment. The table below presents the employment destination (categorised by jobs) of UK domiciled Social study leavers (2012/13) who obtained postgraduate qualifications.

UK domiciled leavers (Postgraduate Social studies 2012/13) in employment (inc. work and further study) by Standard Industrial Classification of employer

More information on this data can be found here .

We can see the largest four destinations are: 1) Human health and social work activities, 2) Public administration and defence; compulsory social security, 3) Education and 4) Professional, scientific and technical activities. We can also see that some social study graduates take up jobs/roles in financial and insurance activities, retail trade and manufacturing.

Of course, a postgraduate degree is much more specialised than an undergraduate degree, and so your PhD programme can be tailored to particular career options if you already have long-term aspirations for your career. For example, a PhD in Sociology with a focus on international relations lends itself to a career in international politics.

Studying sociology equips you with the skills for a career not only in the academic field but also in a wide range of fields including business, health & social care, marketing, public relations, education and politics. Examples of typical first roles post-graduation for sociology doctorates includes lecturers, researchers, positions in government, youth workers and public health services.

The analytical nature of sociology studies lends itself to a career in business. Business is a very broad term – think statistics, public relations, human resources etc. The ability to emphasise and understand human behaviour is important in the last two examples, and business often looks to sociology students at university for these attributes. Due to the competitive nature of business jobs, PhD students should look to undertake work experience which would support their academic work before applying.

Marketing is the art of understanding social behaviour and human thinking to best develop campaigns to target these attributes. A PhD degree in sociology provides a strong foundation of knowledge in gender, race, age and human behaviour etc. which enables you to use your research skills to more accurately forecast the effectiveness of marketing campaigns to target demographics. This understanding, combined with the analytical skills gained from a PhD makes a career in marketing a suitable destination for sociology graduates.

Social & social care

Social researchers are able to transition into social care roles such as community development officers, welfare officers, counsellors as well as careers in the public health service, the criminal justice service and in rehabilitation. These roles let you make the most of the ‘human’ side of your research programme and allow you to interact with members of the public (from varying backgrounds) in a more intimate nature. If you are a student who particularly enjoyed the health oriented aspects of your PhD study, this could be the right career path for you.

A Sociology PhD degree can prepare you in a career in education at any level. As a research student you are likely to have knowledge of child behaviour and the learning process in children which can be used (alongside a professional teaching qualification) to land you a teaching role in primary and secondary education.

In terms of higher education, a research degree typically forms part of the entry requirements for a teaching role in universities. Generally, university lecturers have much more freedom in the contents and coursework of their course than lower education teachers, which allows you to focus on your chosen speciality and tailor research training to your research interest. Universities often offer their doctorates part time teaching positions as a way of assisting in the transition from student to teacher.

It is important to note that an educational role in higher education is not just limited to lecturing at a university, but also includes supervising research projects, tutoring students and running research programmes.

Similar to marketing, a successful politician needs to have a strong understanding of social culture and be in tune with the values of different demographics. A career in politics can range from being an activist to engaging with charities, regardless of the level of involvement – a PhD in sociology gives you the perspective of different cultures and can allow you to use this insight to contribute to society. Whether your postgraduate research area is directly related to politics or not, looking for work experience is advised as it often forms part of entry requirements for political roles.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Skills for your CV

It is important to remember that whilst most Sociology doctorates pursue a career in academia, holding a PhD in the subject gives you a number of skills and attributes which make you desirable to a wide range of employers. You must be able to recognise these skills when preparing your CV and job applications.

Examples of skills you will learn as a sociology PhD student during your postgraduate study include:

• An understanding of the social concepts and current issues faced in society,
• The ability to emphasise and use information to make strong arguments,
• An understanding and application of statistical methods and analytical techniques,
• Appreciate the diversity and range of cultures in the world,
• Use the above knowledge to become more influential in society and relate your knowledge to public policy.

In addition to the above having a PhD also equips you with several transferable skills . These are skills which a vital in the professional working environment and can be used in any sector. Examples of transferable skills postgraduate research students possess include communication, team working, work ethic, time management, problem-solving and the ability to carry out independent research.

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Ph.D. Program in Sociology

Director of Graduate Studies: Emily Rauscher

The Department of Sociology at Brown University offers outstanding doctoral training. Our graduate student community is small, enabling students to have fulfilling mentoring relationships with faculty and to collaborate meaningfully on research and teaching. Due to this advantage, we have partnerships with research centers and institutes across campus, including the Population Studies and Training Center (PSTC), the Watson Institute for International Studies , the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society , Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences (S4) and Urban Studies , among others. As a result, Brown graduates have an outstanding record of research, publications, and professional accomplishment. The Department of Sociology through the Graduate School offers incoming doctoral students five years of guaranteed financial support , including a stipend and health and dental insurance subsidies, through mechanisms including fellowships, traineeships, and teaching and research assistantships.

For details, please see the Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook .

For program information, please see the Ph.D. Program Flyer .

Graduate Study

• Curriculum and Handbook
• Fellowships and Resources
• Graduate Student News and Awards
• PhD Student Trajectories
• Society for Social Research

The Department’s central focus in graduate training is doctoral education.  In years one and two, students are focused mostly on coursework and producing their own independent empirical research project for the qualifying paper. In years three and four, students work on their exams and their dissertation proposal. Years five and six are spent researching and writing. Later years also emphasize specialized training, particularly in two special field areas, helping prepare students for  graduate scholarship  and, later, their  initial job placement . While Ph.D. students are funded fully for seven years, many students complete their Ph.D. in year six.

Students not yet ready to make a commitment to the Sociology Ph.D. may explore several more specialized M.A. programs, which allow one to take courses across the social sciences, strengthening a future application to a Chicago Ph.D. program. For example, see the  Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences . The Ph.D. program receives over 200 applications each year, out of which it gets an entering class of about 6-8 students. If you have any questions about the information provided under  curriculum , click  here .

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Harvard is one of the world’s leading centers for training and mentoring the next generation of sociologists. The Department of Sociology offers several programs of graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Sociology , the Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Policy , and the Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior .

The aim of the Graduate Program in Sociology is to prepare students for scholarly and applied research and for teaching in sociology. The program combines an emphasis on competence in social theory and research methods with opportunities for the development of each student's own interest.

Doctoral candidates are expected to achieve a solid proficiency in fundamentals that will enable them to teach basic and advanced sociology courses and engage in both quantitative and qualitative research. Students are trained in several sub fields of sociology in which the faculty has concentrations of expertise. Among these are social stratification and inequality (including race and ethnic relations), the study of complex organizations, economic sociology, political sociology, comparative/historical sociology, health and social policy, cultural analysis, urban sociology, criminology, and life course. The program includes a sequence of required courses on theory and theory construction, designed to acquaint every student with skills necessary for developing social explanations, and required courses in both qualitative methods and advanced statistics to familiarize students with techniques for collecting and analyzing data.

Sociology Faculty and Student Involvement in University Initiatives

For further information on the research topics that Harvard students have explored and the careers of some recent graduates, see Graduate Degrees Awarded .

Harvard Griffin GSAS does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classification.

Graduate Office

660 William James Hall

Office Hours (Fall 2023) Monday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote) Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (on campus) Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (on campus) Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote) Friday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote)

Email [email protected]

Phone 617.495.3813

Director  David Pedulla

Program Coordinator Jessica Matteson

Elena Ayala-Hurtado

Eun se baik, derick s. baum, matthew brooke, holly hummer, in jeong hwang, lauren taylor, joseph wallerstein.

Ph.D. Career Outcomes

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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Sociology

Ph.d. in sociology.

UConn’s Ph.D. in Sociology trains students to scientifically analyze culture, human interactions, and social relationships. Graduates pursue careers in academia, research, government, and industry, where they work on important topics that impact our society.

The Department of Sociology offers a Master of Arts (MA) and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sociology. Most students enter with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and obtain the MA in Sociology in the first two years of the program, then proceed to the Ph.D.

Students who are admitted with the MA in Sociology from another institution will typically finish the Ph.D. program in a shorter time. Students entering with graduate degrees in disciplines other than Sociology must fulfill the requirements of both the MA and Ph.D.

Contact the Director of Graduate Studies

• Graduate Handbook
• Graduate Academic Regulations
• Registrar's Graduate Forms
• Registrar Steps to a Successful Graduation

Request Information

Apply to UConn

Degree Requirements

Below are the general requirements for the Sociology MA/Ph.D. degree, consistent with the Graduate School policies in the Graduate Catalog . For more detailed information please see the Graduate Handbook.

MA/Ph.D. Track

Students entering the Ph.D. program without a Master of Arts in Sociology (with completed thesis) must complete additional requirements to earn a Master's degree before completing the requirements for the Ph.D. in Sociology. It is expected that most students will complete the MA degree in two years.

In Sociology, students follow the Plan A (thesis) requirements for the Master's degree and continue into the Ph.D. program. Students only enroll in the Plan B (non-thesis) program if they will be discontinuing from the MA/Ph.D. program.

See the Registrar's Steps to a Successful Graduation with a Master's Degree  for full information regarding required timelines and paperwork.

Courses and Credits for the MA

The Master’s degree in Sociology requires a minimum of 39 credits in Sociology, including the following:

• SOCI 5001 & 5002 Proseminar (year long, 3 credits)
• SOCI 5201 The Logic of Social Research (3 credits)
• SOCI 5203 Quantitative Methods I (3 credits)
• SOCI 5231 Qualitative Methods I (3 credits)
• SOCI 5251 Core Theorists (3 credits)
• GRAD 5950 Master’s Thesis Research (9 credits)
• Plus 15 additional credits in Sociology

MA Plan of Study

The Master’s plan of study should be filed by the end of the fourth week of the student’s final semester before the degree is completed. Make sure to count only 39 Sociology credits toward the Master’s Degree. Additional credits can be carried forward to the Ph.D. program.

Credits for 6203 and 6231 should not be included on the MA Plan of Study and will carry forward to the Ph.D. program. Students that decide to take both SOCI 6203 & SOCI 6231 in the same semester of their second year will need to take an additional elective in the Spring of the second year.

To complete a Master’s thesis, students need to have their Master’s thesis research plan approved by their Advisory Committee. Students in consultation with their Advisory Committee may be asked to hold a Master’s thesis proposal defense, but a formal proposal defense is not required of a Master’s thesis. All students who complete a Master’s thesis must pass a formal Master’s thesis defense. Students are expected to complete the Master’s thesis ideally by the end of their fourth semester in the program.

Plan B (non-thesis)

Students who do not wish to continue in the program may elect to complete the Plan B option. In addition to completion of the coursework outlined above, students must also submit a portfolio of their scholarly work. The portfolio should consist of a minimum of 3 papers, each at least 15 pages in length, that together illustrate a command of sociological theory, research methods, and at least one substantive area. The scholarly work may originate from:

• Formal course requirements, such as research papers that demonstrate competency in one or more of the areas outlined above. Students are urged to pursue with their Advisory Committee the appropriateness of course related submissions
• Research or writing done in an independent study
• Non-course related accomplishments, such as grant proposals or conference presentations

In all cases, any written material that is co-authored is not eligible for submission as part of the student’s portfolio. The portfolio should be designed in consultation with the major advisor and will be evaluated by the student’s three-person advisory committee. Please note, students who choose this option cannot continue into the PhD portion of the program and thus the election of this option is only advised for students seeking a terminal Master’s degree.

Please note that Plan B students do not receive thesis credits. These students must take additional elective classes to attain the 39 total credits necessary for the Plan B Master's.

Ph.D. Track

Once the MA is completed, the Ph.D. typically requires an additional four years to complete. Students entering the Ph.D. program with a MA in Sociology, with a completed thesis, may be required to complete additional coursework to cover equivalent material as students who attained their degrees at UConn.

See the Registrar's Steps to a Successful Graduation with a Doctoral Degree for full information regarding required timelines and paperwork.

Courses and Credits for the Ph.D.

• SOCI 6203 Quantitative Methods II (3credits)
• SOCI 6231 Qualitative Methods II (3 credits)
• 12 credits of Sociology elective seminars
• 15 credits of GRAD 6950 Doctoral Dissertation Research

Major Advisor and Advisory Committee

All students in the graduate program must have a Major Advisor who is a tenured or tenure track member of the Sociology Department and the UConn Graduate Faculty. The Major Advisor should be selected by mutual consent between the student and the faculty member based on similarity of interests and/or availability of the faculty member. The Major Advisor serves as a mentor to the student, Chair of the Master’s Thesis Committee, General (Area) Exam Committee, and Dissertation Committee. The Director of Graduate Studies will facilitate the selection of an initial Major Advisor for students entering the program. Students may change the Major Advisors if it becomes apparent that another faculty member is more suitable. In such cases, appropriate forms must be filed with the Graduate School to make the change official. By the start of their second year in the program, all students should have an Advisory Committee of at least three members, the composition of which is described in the paragraph below. The Advisory Committee serves as the student’s Master’s Thesis Committee.

The members of the Advisory Committee are also chosen by mutual consent of the student and the faculty members. The Advisory Committee consists of two faculty members in addition to the Major Advisor. In cases where the student forms a three-person Advisory Committee, all three must be members of the Sociology Department or affiliated members of the Sociology Department. All members of the three-person Advisory Committee must be members of the UConn Graduate Faculty. In cases where the student forms an Advisory Committee of more than three faculty members, these faculty must meet the same requirements, except that a fourth and fifth member may also be: a) a faculty member from another UConn department who is a member of the Graduate Faculty, b) a faculty member from another university who receives approval from the Graduate School.

Most students constitute an Advisory Committee of only three members during the M.A. portion of the program and increase the Advisory Committee to four or five persons during the PhD portion of the program . The decision about the size of the Advisory Committee is at the discretion of the student in consultation with the Advisor and other members of the Advisory Committee. Students may change members of their Advisory Committees if other faculty are more suitable and are willing to serve. When a change is made to the Advisory Committee, appropriate paperwork should be filed.

Ph.D. Plan of Study

The Ph.D. plan of study should be submitted when no more than 18 credits of coursework toward the degree have been completed. Forms should be filed with the Registrar’s Office. The Plan of Study should reflect all content coursework and research credits (GRAD 6950). Please note that students who completed more than 39 credits before filing for their MA degree should include the excess credits on the Ph.D. Plan of Study.

Ph.D. General Exam

The General Exam must be taken after all Sociology coursework for the Ph.D. is completed (including removal of all incompletes), unless there is unanimous consent by the General Exam Committee that it can occur earlier. The General Exam is designed to demonstrate mastery over at least one area, of sociological expertise, but two areas is more typical. The Exam should be considered a “bridge” between coursework and the dissertation. It is designed to go beyond previous coursework that a student has taken, and to be broader than a dissertation-specific topic. The breadth of the General Exam should dovetail with that of an ASA section or the intersection of two ASA sections .

The reading list for the General Exam will be tailored to the student’s interests within the area and will be determined by a process of negotiation between the student and the members of the General Exam Committee. Those faculty members with greater expertise in the area will typically have greater influence in shaping the reading list, but all committee members must approve the list before the exam can be scheduled.

The General Exam shall have both a written and oral component. It is important to simultaneously schedule both the written and the oral components. Students will have two weeks to complete the written portion. The written portion is take-home, with open book and open notes. Students will typically respond to at least three questions designed to emphasize a broad understanding of theory, methods, and substantive areas. Faculty have leeway as to how they ask questions and what choices students have in answering questions. Student responses must be 40 pages or less (not counting references).

The oral portion of the General Exam must be completed within one week of turning in the written portion. During the oral portion, committee members may probe answers that seem insufficient, ask about questions the student did not choose to answer, or raise anything else within the parameters of the reading list. There can be no feedback from committee members to the student between the written and oral portions, except for questions of clarification.

The written and oral portions shall be assigned a single grade of either “Pass” or “Fail.” A grade of “Pass” requires a positive vote of at least four members of the General Exam Committee. There is no grade of “Partial Pass” and there is no provision for retaking just a portion of the General Exam.

If the student fails the General Exam, they may schedule a second opportunity to take it within six months of failing the first exam. The student may constitute a new General Exam Committee for the second exam, but ordinarily this is not advisable. If the student fails the exam a second time, or does not complete it within six months, this is grounds for dismissal from the graduate program.

Dissertation Proposal

According to Graduate School rules, the Dissertation Committee must consist of five faculty members. If the student’s Advisory Committee has less than five members, then the student must ask additional faculty members to be present at the dissertation defense as members of the Dissertation Committee. A fourth and fifth member may also be:

• a faculty member in Sociology who is a member of the Graduate Faculty
• a faculty member from another UConn department who is a member of the Graduate Faculty
• a faculty member from another university who receives approval by the Graduate School. These additional members do not have voting status on passing the dissertation, but they must sign the paperwork required to indicate they were present at the defense.

The decision to approve the dissertation is made by those members of the Dissertation Committee who are also members of the student’s Advisory Committee. Approval of the dissertation is thus determined by a majority of faculty on the Advisory Committee voting to approve the dissertation. A majority is defined as 2-1 in the case of a three-person Advisory Committee, 3-1 in the case of a four-person Advisory Committee, and 3-2 in the case of a five-person Advisory Committee.

Final Semester

Student's should complete these steps to prep for graduation in their final semester:

• Apply to Graduate in the Student Administration System by the  fourth week of the semester . This application can be withdrawn at any time by the student if needed.
• Check name and addresses
• Prepare for oral defense (two weeks prior)
• Submit final paperwork (deadline published on Academic Calendar )
• Submit dissertation
• Check email to confirm progress of steps to graduation

See the Registrar's Steps to a Successful Graduation for the Doctoral Degree for full details regarding degree conferral.

Applications are due by January 5.

Prospective students may apply to the program online via the Graduate School’s website.

Full Admissions Requirements

For more information about the Ph.D. in Sociology, please contact:

Jeremy Pais

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Discover more about Sociology at Manchester

PhD Sociology / Overview

Year of entry: 2025

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• Bachelor's (Honours) degree in a cognate subject at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
• Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent)

Full entry requirements

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 1 December 2024. If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadlines to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these dates have passed.

• For September 2025 entry: 30 June 2025
• For January 2026 entry: 30 September 2025

Programme options

Programme overview

• Ranked 3rd in the UK for Sociology research (REF2021).  
• Join a supportive and inspirational Sociology research community.
• Access expert supervision across a wide range wide range of research themes from staff renowned in their fields.
• Gain superb opportunities for personal and professional development, with regular opportunities to share your work.

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To find out what studying on a postgraduate research programme at Manchester is like, visit our Open days and study fairs page and explore our virtual open week or future on-campus and international events.

We will be conducting our PGR virtual open week in October 2024. Find out more about future events and postgraduate research sessions by signing up for our email alerts.

Fees for entry in 2025 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2024 were as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): £4,786 International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): £2,393 International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,750

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards available to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including School of Social Sciences studentships is 1 December 2024.

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting your funding application and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

You will need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor for a number of our scholarships. Therefore, we highly recommend you discuss these funding opportunities with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and ensure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

• ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• School of Social Sciences PhD Studentships 2024 Entry
• China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2024 Entry
• PhD Studentship with the Stuart Hall Foundation (Social Sciences) - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• Humanities Doctoral Academy Humanitarian Scholarship 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry

Contact details

See: School Subjects

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Social Sciences

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

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Ph.D. (Sociology) From DU, New Delhi

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Aspirants seeking admission to 3 years Full-time Ph.D. Program should meet the following criteria as specified by the institute.

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Candidate must have passed post-graduation in the relevant stream from the recognized University.

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Marlene Orozco weighs in on challenges facing Hispanic entrepreneurs

Sociology PhD alumna Marlene Orozo reports on the barriers Hispanic entrepreneurs encounter when trying to transition from a self-employed to an employer business. In her article, Orozco explains that disparate lending outcomes, expensive health care, and a lack of mentorship are among some of the scenarios that can stunt growth in the Latino business community. Orozco also lays out some tips such as actively networking, finding resources for Latino entrepreneurs, and participating in educational opportunities. 

For the complete article, please visit Wallethub .