Research Degrees in
in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Do you want to advance or change your career, deepen your expertise in a topic, or expand your research and practical skills?
With a PhD or other postgraduate research degree in the areas of Sociology and Criminology you will:
We can supervise a wide range of projects within Sociology, Criminology, Multimedia Journalism, Human Geography and related fields. Particular research specialisms include:
We are a centre of research excellence. Our academics undertake critically engaged, interdisciplinary research that engages with a social world undergoing constant change. We produce research that is historical and contemporary; that engages with local, national and international communities; and that seeks to understand and transform social structures and cultural phenomena.
We consider research students to be at the heart of what the faculty does and our aim is to offer a research degree experience that transcends the projects itself and offers applicants a professional training that can take them forwards in their research careers.
You will join a large community of postgraduate and early career researchers. The social and intellectual life of the Faculty is enhanced by the Postgraduate Arts and Humanities Centre (PAHC) which provides:
Our research is also enhanced through several specialist research centres and institutes including:
Find out more about the different research degrees we offer
The majority of our students enrol in October. We offer further enrolment points in January and April.
Research degrees are available to study on-campus or through distance learning.
Our intellectually rigorous research degrees will equip you with the necessary skills to pursue academic careers in Sociology, Criminology and related areas.
The programme is designed to support researchers aiming for a wide variety of research careers and not least in academia and/or evaluation research. You will develop vital industry networks and undertake advanced professional development that will equip you for careers in public policy, data analysis, civic administration, social services, criminal justice, and a range of other careers.
This course is research based. You will independently conduct research into your own topic or a topic that we advertise. Your supervisory team will offer expert guidance throughout your studies and you will review work in progress in regular supervision sessions.
Each year, you will follow a programme of training and development to enhance your research methods, subject-matter expertise and professional skills. Your professional development is a priority and supervisors will thus also offer advice about publications and the broader demands of developing a research career.
Please refer to our Fees page for more information about tuition fees.
Many of our PhD and Professional Doctorate programmes are eligible for the government's Doctoral Loan Scheme. MPhil and MA/MSc by Research degrees are eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.
Each year we offer a number of competitive scholarships to support high quality research projects. Current scholarship opportunities in Sociology are advertised on our site.
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We are a member of the North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership which allows us to offer fully funded scholarships in the Arts and Humanities. Please contact us for more information.
You should, as a minimum, have a first or 2.1 honours degree or an equivalent qualification.
International students must demonstrate a sufficiently high standard of English language ability.
In order to enter most postgraduate courses the English requirements are IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 575, and TOEFL computer-based 230.
We welcome interest from applicants from non-standard backgrounds. We will take subject knowledge, professional experience, publications, or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment into consideration.
See more about our standard entry requirements.
Before applying for a research degree, you should have a preliminary discussion with a member of staff about your project and ideas. To arrange this, please email Dr Helene Snee, the Research Degrees Coordinator for Sociology.
For further information on the application process, contact the Admissions team at pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk.
To apply for this degree, please select one of the study options below to begin your application.
Before you apply, you should discuss your project with a member of academic staff. You should also complete the postgraduate research degree thesis proposal form, which you will need to upload as part of your application. The document can be attached at the final checklist section after you’ve submitted your application.