Sociology

Overview

Why choose this course

Boasting an international reputation and a thriving academic environment, the Department of Sociology supervises PhDs in a wide range of subjects across sociology, criminology, digital communications and related areas.

We were ranked in the top ten of sociology departments in the UK for publications in the latest 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise. And more than three quarters of our research publications were rated as first-class or internationally excellent. This reflects our strong postgraduate community, diverse research centres, research training activities, and funding successes. We're home to several prominent research centres and a number of academic journals are based in or edited from the Department. 

As a postgraduate researcher in Sociology at the University of Surrey you will join a diverse community of full and part-time PhD students from the UK, the EU and around the world. Our PhD students play an important part in the life and culture of our vibrant and friendly department. In 2018-19 overall satisfaction among our Department’s PGR students in the annual Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) was 95 per cent. 

What you will study

Exactly what you'll study will depend on the topic of your PhD. We can supervise a wide range of areas relating to criminology, sociology and digital communications - please see the ‘Themes and Facilities’ tab for a full list. 

Supervisors offer advice, feedback and guidance on all aspects of the PhD process, as well as - where appropriate - on career and CV development and research dissemination through publications and conference papers.

We formally review your progress twice a year, offering the opportunity for medium and longer-term research planning, the identification of training needs, and provision of CV and career advice. Progress reviews also offer you the opportunity to raise any queries, concerns or suggestions. Close to the end of your first year, you will complete a PhD Confirmation process in which you will receive detailed feedback and guidance on your work from staff outside your supervisory team.