Sociology, Ph.D.

  • N/A
    Application Deadline
  • 36 months
    Duration
  • Tuition
    13600
    Tuition (Year)
    4195
    Tuition (Year)
  • English (take IELTS)
    Language
University rank #172 Online
The essential requirement of a PhD is the creation of new knowledge. Being a researcher means developing new ideas and improving understanding through the creation of new knowledge. Your research will inevitably build to some degree on the work and ideas of others, but as a presearch student you are expected to make an original contribution to knowledge in your discipline.

About

The Department of Sociology is one of the most prominent and influential in the country. It was one of the first departments of sociology to be established in Britain, and has a long and well-respected tradition both in teaching and research.

The Department of Sociology offers supervision for the degrees of:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Full-Time and Part-Time
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - Full-Time and Part-Time

We also offer a distance learning PhD/MPhil - allowing you to gain a University of Leicester research degree wherever you are in the world.

PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The research is normally completed over a maximum period of 3.0-3.5 years (full-time) or 6.0-6.5 years (part-time/distance learning).

A fourth year (full-time) or seventh year (part-time/distance learning) or the remaining part of this can be used to prepare the thesis for examination. The thesis should not normally exceed 80,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.

Accreditation

We think a university should be about empowering people to explore; through passionate, dedicated teaching and innovative, world-changing research. By embracing the fact that every journey is personal, the University has achieved some remarkable results.

At Leicester we think that high quality research and excellent teaching are not only complementary, they’re inseparable. We are constantly finding new ways of being a leading university, and have done so since we were founded as a University College in 1921. Find out about some of our greatest discoveries.

We are the only university to win seven consecutive Times Higher Awards. In awarding us 'University of the Year', Times Higher Education applauded Leicester’s very different approach, describing us as “elite without being elitist”.

We were proud to be described as elite. But we were equally as proud to be described as a university that is inclusive and accessible in its academic culture. We've achieved success through our distinctive work which is characterised by the following approach:

An inclusive and accessible culture

Our commitment to an inclusive and accessible culture not only opens the doors to the very best, no matter their background, it even shapes the very way we look at and discover the world around us. Leicester is the most inclusive of Britain's top 20 leading universities with the greatest proportions of students from under-represented groups.

A personal, supportive experience for those who use our services

The University of Leicester was founded as a memorial to the fallen of the Great War and our motto means “So that they may have life”. We seek to do this by providing a supportive and personal environment for those who use our services and an experience that our students tell us is second to none.

A commitment to high quality, innovation and rigorous academic standards

We are dedicated to finding new ways of doing old things and bringing new perspectives to established ideas, without compromising on quality and while maintaining our high rankings.

A belief that teaching and research are synergistic

We believe that teaching is inspirational when delivered by passionate scholars engaged in world changing research - and that our research is stronger when delivered in an academic community that includes students - students who question and probe us every day.

Detailed Programme Facts

  • Full-time duration 36 months
  • Study intensity Part-time, Full-time
    • Intensity Flexible
    • Duration part-time 72 months
    • Part-time variant
      Flexible
  • Languages
    • English
    Take IELTS test Find English Courses
  • Delivery mode
    Online
    • Time flexibility
      Semi-structured
    • Attendance
      No Attendance
    • Teacher support
      Continuous support with feedback on request
    • Student interaction
      Individual work/assignments (with online group discussions), Online group works/assignments

Programme Structure

Research Areas:
  • Advanced Research Methods (Conversation Analysis and Computer Simulation)
  • Gender, Sexuality, Consumption, and the Body
  • Language and Interaction
  • Migration and Ethnicity
  • Political Sociology, Social Movements, and Civil Society
  • Social Theory
  • Wellbeing and Health
  • Work and Employment

English Language Requirements

You only need to take one of these language tests:

  • Minimum required score: 6.5

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Take IELTS test

    StudyPortals Tip: The UK government has confirmed new English-language testing requirements for visa and immigration purposes. Learn more

  • Minimum required score: 90

    The TOEFL – or Test Of English as a Foreign Language – offers an internet-based test (iBT). The final, overall iBT score ranges between 0 and 120, and includes a scaled average from the four components (reading, listening, speaking, and writing). Read more about TOEFL (iBT).

Academic Requirements

Admission requirements:
  • 1. Make sure we offer PhD/MPhil supervision in the area in which you want to work - search our staff research interests
  • 2. Draft a research proposal that tells us what you want to research, how you intend to do it, and why it is worth doing
  • 3. Prepare your supporting documents - with your application you need to include proof that you meet the academic and English language entry requirements:
  1. include all relevant certificates/diplomas and transcripts
  2. international applicants must provide official copies of their entire course transcripts including explanations of the mark schemes used and, where possible, an indication of their class ranking/position in class
  3. supporting documents not in English must be provided with a certified English translation
  • Submit your online application or apply by post

Getting a Student Visa

This is an online programme. You don’t need a visa to study in this programme.

Tuition Fee Per Year

  • GBP 13600 International
  • GBP 4195 EU/EEA

Funding

Employer sponsorship

Studying by distance learning gives a clear signal to employers that you are committed to developing your skills and knowledge. Your employer may be willing to fund all or part of your course if you are able to show the key benefits to their business. Some of these benefits are detailed below:

Distance learning allows you to develop your skills without taking time out of the workplace

You will be able to apply your new skills into your roles immediately

The skills you develop will include; complex problem solving; communication skills; creative and strategic thinking; time management; and decision making.

There are many different ways that your employer may provide support, from fully or partially paying your tuition fees to offering you study time or additional leave days. The form your sponsor will need to complete, together with further information can be found on our Finance Office website. If you are seeking, or have gained, sponsorship from your employer please mention this when you make your application.

ELCAS funding for members of the Armed Forces

We are an approved provider for the Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme (ELCAS) for armed forces personnel and all of our distance learning courses are available under this scheme.

If you are a current or former member of the UK armed forces then you may be eligible for ELCAS funding. Please check their website for full details or contact your Education Officer. If you are seeking, or have gained ELCAS funding, please mention this when you make your application.

Professional and Career Development Loans

Professional and Career Development Loans (CDLs) are offered by a consortium of major banks for students on vocational courses only.

You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 towards tuition and/or living expenses for a course over a period of up to two years study (three years if the course includes work experience). The bank will usually take between six weeks and three months to process your application - so make sure you apply well in advance.

The Skills Funding Agency will pay the interest on your Professional and Career Development Loan while you’re studying - and for one month after you’ve left your course.

For an application pack or for any enquiries relating to Professional and Career Development Loans, please call Next Step on 0800 100 900. Further information can be found on the Directgov website. If you are seeking, or have gained CDL funding, please mention this when you make your application.

Research Councils

Research Councils are public bodies which provide awards for postgraduate research study for students from the UK and fees only support for EU students. Each is responsible for a particular group of subject areas. Only the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) currently consider applications from individual students.

International (non-EU) funding

If you live outside the EU, try contacting your government's Ministry of Education for details of scholarships or loans. The British Council, the UK's international organisation for educational and cultural matters, has offices in 110 countries and can advise on sources of funding. You may want to visit Education UK’s section on scholarships for more information.

There also a number of charities and foundations you may want to consider contacting regarding funding. A few notable foundations are the Aga Khan Foundation, the African Educational Trust and the Said Foundation. A list of organisations can be found on the Postgraduate Studentships website.

USA

In the case of students from the USA, overseas distance learning programmes are no longer eligible for Federal loans or VA (Veterans Association) funding. Students may apply for loans from a private provider. One of the largest is SallieMae, and several of our former and existing students have used this route. There are, of course, many other providers of private loans for the purposes of education. Private loan companies usually require the education provider to have a 'Federal School Code': the University of Leicester’s code is G22291.

StudyPortals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.