Postgraduate research at Essex
A research degree in sociology allows you to conduct original research on a
topic of your choice.
Our
department provides an exceptional environment to carry
out your research and has a strong commitment to
providing doctoral training to the highest standard.
We are unique in having been awarded the highest ranking is all six Research Assessment Exercises (RAEs) since 1986.
Many of the academic staff
are experts in their field and seen as world-leading researchers in specialist
areas of sociology.
You will be part of a large community of international research students and
will benefit from dedicated support facilities including a unique
student
resource centre. You will also have the opportunity to publish your
work in the UK's leading Sociology graduate research journal.
Routes to a PhD
There are two routes to a PhD in sociology:
- PhD by research (+3): Students with a strong background in sociology and
a well-formulated research proposal may be admitted directly to supervised
research.
- Integrated PhD (1+3): In your first year you will follow one of our
pathways which provides Masters-level research training. This is then
followed by three years of PhD research.
Doctoral level training
As part of Essex’s ESRC-accredited Doctoral Training Centre (DTC), our Department offers pathways in:
- Sociological Research
- Criminology and Socio-Legal Research
- Survey Methodology
- Longitudinal Social Research
We are also involved with pathways in:
- Human Rights and Research Methods
- Environmental Governance
Events, training and support
Our Doctoral Training Centre offers research students a wide range of
events, training and support
opportunities, in addition to what's available through our department.
Research expertise and supervision
We are able to supervise a wide range of research topics in our department.
Applying for postgraduate research
You can applying for a PhD using the university's
online application form but there
is additional information that we require from you.
Please read this information carefully so we can process your application
successfully.
Funding
A
number of student scholarships and funding opportunities are available,
including ESRC studentships (Hone/EU students),
University of Essex
Doctoral Scholarships (Home,/EU and Overseas students) and other research council funding
(Home/EU students).
More information about postgraduate funding can be found on the
scholarship
finder.
Contact information
Please contact Michele Hall,
Graduate Administrator, if you would like to speak to someone.
ESRC Doctoral Training
Essex is one of just 21 ESRC-accredited Doctoral Training Centres in the UK, which
reflects our outstanding reputation for social science and means we are able
to award a number of scholarships for postgraduate study.
Career development
During your PhD, you should also be thinking about your future career and developing your profile for employment.
We offer a variety of ways for you to do including workshops for doctoral students, our unique student placement scheme
and volunteering.
What happens next?
We answer your questions about what happens after you submit your application for postgraduate research at Essex. Applying for a PhD is a new experience for you, so we're here to explain the process – including writing your research proposal – clearly.