Subject overview

Programmes

• PhD in Sociology

We offer research supervision in areas including health, medicine, science, social theory, political sociology, gender, inequality and work. There are two modes of entry for research students. First is traditional entry to a PhD. Second is the MSc plus PhD pathway, which is the 1+3 route required by the ESRC for their studentship support. All new research students will be required to participate in a programme of research training modules and to take other modules that may be recommended by the supervisor of their research. (Exemption from research training modules can be granted to those who have already taken such modules at postgraduate level.)

Applicants who do not have a Masters degree may be expected to satisfactorily complete a piece of coursework, taken from the ESRC-recognised MSc in Social Research Methods, before proceeding to research. Several sociologists teach on the MA in Social and Political Thought, which provides an excellent introduction to research for candidates with appropriate interests. Further training in research skills will be provided as required.

Recent and current thesis topics

Global civil society and Islam

Lifestyle pharmaceuticals and medicalisation

Lone parents in Higher Education

Mental health and the ‘nudge’ agenda

Obesity and social class

The welfare state and the underclass

Entry requirements

PhD in Sociology

UK entrance requirements

A Masters degree in sociology or a related discipline, but applicants from other backgrounds may be considered. Applicants should submit an outline research proposal indicating the nature, ambitions and primary questions of their research project.

Overseas entrance requirements

Please refer to Overseas qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.

For more information, refer to English language requirements.

Visas and immigration

Find out more about Visas and immigration.

For more information about the admissions process at Sussex

For pre-application enquiries:

Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

For post-application enquiries:

Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk 

Related subjects

• Gender studies
• Social and political thought

Fees and funding

Fees

PhD in Sociology

Home UK/EU students: £3,900¹
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,900²
Overseas students: £13,000³

¹ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
² The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
³ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Faculty interests

Research interests are briefly described below. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Sociology. 

Sociology faculty research is organised in three broad and overlapping groups: 

Gender, inequality and work

Dr Ben Fincham Injury, death and suicide; mobilities; peripheral labour; work and danger. 

Dr Alison Phipps Gender and social policy, sexual and domestic violence. 

Dr Ruth Woodfield Sociology of gender, work and skill, especially in relation to technology. 

Health, medicine and science

Professor John Abraham Medicine regulation and political sociology of drug safety. 

Professor Gillian Bendelow Sociology of pain and chronic illness, mental and emotional health, health promotion and healthcare models. 

Dr Courtney Davis Medicine regulation and occupational health. 

Dr Catherine Will The sociology of science and technology; social and healthcare policy. 

Social theory and political sociology 

(Also refer tothe  Social and political thought subject area.) 

Professor Gerard Delanty Social and political theory; philosophy of social science; identity. 

Professor Luke Martell Political sociology; social democracy; globalisation. 

Dr Susie Scott Social theory; identity; shyness. 

Careers and perspectives

Many of our graduates stay in academia, in teaching or research positions, as research assistants or lecturers. Others have gone on to careers in administration in the social services, the wider public sector and charities, human resources, web design, sales and marketing, publishing, media and journalism.

School and contacts