Social Policy and Social Work PhD

Find out more about our Social Policy and Social Work PhD degree at Warwick

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P-L4PA

MPhil/PhD

3-4 years full-time; Up to 7 years part-time

January, April and September

Centre for Lifelong Learning

University of Warwick

The PhD in Social Policy and Social Work allows you to select a topic of your choice linked to our expertise within the broad field of social policy and social work. Warwick's Centre for Lifelong Learning provides a rich, transdisciplinary academic environment supported by a dedicated team including supervision and personal tutoring.

This PhD provides an opportunity to undertake in-depth research linked to our expertise in social work and social policy. It spans a diverse range of areas reflecting the multi-disciplinary strengths of our faculty. We support research projects linked to one or more of our main research themes.

Teaching and learning

We provide a pleasant PhD study room and dedicated personal tutor support in addition to the supervisory team. A combined staff and student seminar programme provides a collegiate forum for sharing and discussing current topics and ideas.

Research themes can include: 

• Men, masculinity, and health 
• Inequalities in health 
• Developing knowledgeable and resilient ‘social actors’ through professional training and CPD 
• The impact of neo-liberal policies on organisational behaviour, structure, and culture 
• The formation of professional identity and professionalism within the context of neo-liberalism 

• Social policy 
• Comparative welfare state studies 
• Labour markets 
• Unemployment policy 
• Childbirth/fatherhood 
• Health and social work  
• Mental health
• Work and practice related to the Mental Health Act 1983 (2007) and Mental Capacity Act 2005
• International and European approaches and perspectives in mental health practice

Please hover above the names listed below for a quick overview then click to view the full profile.

• Dr Alan DolanLink opens in a new window
• Dr Steve GascoigneLink opens in a new window
• Dr John GoughLink opens in a new window
• Dr Kevin StoneLink opens in a new window

Applicants are encouraged to contact their potential supervisor. The most important aspect is the nature of your project and its potential for supervision in our department

You are asked to view your intended supervisor's profile and read their work. Please think about what might make your proposed PhD attractive to your supervisor, and customise the proposal accordingly.

• How does your project relate to your intended supervisor's work?
• How might your project enhance, advance, or develop it?
• Could you take it in a different direction?
• What kind of methods and approaches are likely to appeal to your potential supervisor?

We receive a large number of proposals every year and only have capacity for proposals that are carefully tailored to our specific areas of expertise.

The University's Find a Supervisor Guidance

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject or a good Master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.