PHD Sociology

Study Mode Part-time
Year of Entry 2024/25
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PHD

Sociology

Part-time Sociology

A period of intensive, supervised study where you critically investigate and evaluate an approved sociological topic and make an original contribution to knowledge.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £2,393 per year
    International/EU: £8,605 per year

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    7 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    February 2025
    May 2025


Where will I study?

This course is moving into one of our new buildings at City campus. Teaching will be delivered at our Collegiate campus during the 2024/25 academic year while we get our new facilities ready. After that you will study in brand new facilities at City campus.  

Course summary

  • Undertake a supervised study in a range of sociological areas.
  • Benefit from the knowledge of research active staff who submitted to the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
  • Take advantage of links with other Hallam research centres.

Using a range of social theories, as well as qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method approaches, you will produce a piece of original sociological research in areas including social class, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, education, health, and employment and welfare. You have the chance to work with the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research and Centre for Development and Research in Education.

Please note: We offer three enrolment periods each year: October, February, and May. For the October intake, international and home applicants should apply by the end of June. For the February intake, international applicants should apply by the end of October and home applicants by the end of November. For the May intake, international applicants should apply by 20 December and home applicants by the end of February. For further information contact: Social-economic-pgr@shu.ac.uk.


How you learn

Throughout a period of intensive, supervised investigative work, you work closely with specialists in your chosen field to produce an extended thesis of up to 80,000 words in the case of doctoral research. You can take modules and supplementary online courses to develop skills in relation to a range of methodologies, methods and theoretical approaches. The work you complete on these can be included as part of your qualification.

You learn through

  • supervised research
  • meetings
  • seminars and training sessions
  • informal group sessions

Course leaders and tutors

Jon Dean
Jon Dean
Associate Professor in Politics and Sociology

Staff profile for Jon Dean, Associate Professor in Politics and Sociology at Sheffield Hallam University

Applied learning

Networking opportunities

Through regular interaction with other postgraduate students, researchers and the wider academic community, there is ample opportunity for networking throughout the course. This provides ample opportunity for networking and our research centres, the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research and the Centre for Education and Inclusion Research, host a range of stimulating activities and events, including established seminar series that attract internationally excellent researchers.

The department has regular staff and student-led activities each year on specific topics associated with PhD student's research. We organise monthly Research Breakfast that encompass a wide range of topics including, 'how to publish,' and offer a friendly and supportive environment to discuss research. We also offer awards to our students bi-annually to reward outstanding work or an outstanding contribution to the PhD community.


Future careers

Doctorates are essential qualifications for many careers in academia, the policy sector, and public and commercial research organisations. Our research is often applied, which prepares you to tackle issues of immediate relevance to statutory and voluntary agencies. Our alumni have gone on to take up academic posts in both teaching and research roles, as well as public sector organisations. Many people take part-time degrees in collaboration with their current employer.

Where will I study?

This course is moving into one of our new buildings at City campus. Teaching will be delivered at our Collegiate campus during the 2024/25 academic year while we get our new facilities ready. After that you will study in brand new facilities at City campus.  

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Equipment and facilities

On this course you work with

  • ICT laboratories
  • workshops
  • specialist equipment

Entry requirements

All students

All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (merit and above).

Application

To apply, candidates must submit a fully complete online application including:

  • A research proposal. This should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. The maximum word count is 1,500 words.
  • A personal statement - In submitting your personal statement, you must answer these 4 questions. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question, and include specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional). We want to learn more about you.
    1. What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project? (200 words maximum).
    2. How did you come up with your project proposal? (200 words maximum).
    3. What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you? (200 words maximum).
    4. Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences. (200 words maximum).
  • Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts.
  • Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
  • Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants.

All suitable candidates are invited to an interview which can take place in-person or online. You will be asked questions about the project proposal and your interest in PhD level study. You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes.

International Students (Additional Information)

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit and above) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

Please note that UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.

Students who are based overseas may be able to study for a PhD by Distance Learning, subject to establishing a satisfactory distance learning agreement, as part of the application process.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £2,393 per year.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £8,605 per year. (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa).

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Doctoral student loans

Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Doctoral student loans

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sociology courses (PDF, 336.9KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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