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Sociology (PhD)

Find out more about our PhD in Sociology.

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

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We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

P-L3P0

PhD

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

29 September 2026

Sociology

University of Warwick

Work with leading researchers in gender and sexuality, technology and capitalism, race and migration, prisons and punishment, colonialism and ecology, and more. In Warwick's Sociology department, ranked 8th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025, Sociology) you will be part of an active and exciting international research culture and receive specialist training and support to thrive.

Joining our welcoming and supportive international community of researchers, you will have the chance to develop into an independent researcher and specialist, working closely with dedicated supervisors who are recognised authorities their fields. You will receive training in undertaking doctoral study at the beginning of your course, meet regularly with your supervisors as you work on your independent sociological research project, and have access to a lively calendar of seminars, workshops, networking and development opportunities throughout your time with us.

Teaching and learning

All first year PhD students undertake a two-term course called Research Process and Research Design. Provided by the Department, this course supports students with the fundamentals of PhD study and life and prepares them for their upgrade from MPhil to PhD. All doctoral students have access to dedicated PhD study rooms with computers and printers.

Research within our department covers a broad span of the discipline and is organised into five clusters:

• Race, Ethnicity & Migration
• Violence & Social Justice
• Feminism, Gender & Sexuality
• Just Eco-Geo-Political Futures
• Technology, Economy & Society

The Department hosts the Social Theory Centre and the Centre for the Study of Women and Gender.

We have considerable expertise in areas such as:

• Gender and sexuality studies
• Social and cultural theory
• Race and racism
• Migration
• Ethnicity
• (Post-)Colonialism
• Violence and conflict studies
• Critical criminology
• Work and employment
• Political sociology
• Markets and capitalism
• Media
• Health
• Emotion
• Education
• Religion
• Family
• Methodologies

Full details of our research interests are listed on the Sociology web pagesLink opens in a new window.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Explore our Sociology Staff Directory.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Sociology or a related subject; a strong research proposal; support from at least one potential supervisor in Sociology. Applicants are advised to contact academic staff directly in the first instance to discuss supervision. Staff research interests can be found on their individual staff pages.

• 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.