PhD (School of Social Sciences) Doctorate

Overview

All of the Academic Divisions in the School of Social Sciences invite PhD applications.

The research areas are only broadly indicative, and our staff place great store by creative and innovative approaches to issues whether they are novel or familiar – and to intellectual analysis, both established and path-breaking.

Subjects we supervise include the following areas:

• Development Studies
• Peace Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology and Criminology
• Social Work and Social Care

Undertaking a PhD is an exciting opportunity but can also be quite daunting as there are lots of stages to think about including application, arrival, admission, expectations, and progression to name but a few. At the School of Social Sciences, we believe it is important that, although our research students are working on individual projects, they are not working in isolation. We offer a range of opportunities for training, developing skills, regular supervision sessions and ongoing peer support.

Learning and assessment

In order to confirm your progression, a recommendation must be made to the Faculty Research Degrees Committee. The student is required to produce detailed documentation with a timetable of further work to completion and attend a progress meeting. This is sometimes called a progression or transfer panel and is a compulsory university requirement.

Students will be required to go through this process between the 12 and 13 month mark of their registration. The documents required for the meeting are as follows:

• a three-page overview report on your study, that reflects on your progress to date and raises anything that you would particularly like feedback on;
• a substantive chapter of your thesis;
• a research proposal;
• a thesis planner.

Career prospects

One of the University of Bradford's goals is to equip all our students with the attributes and capabilities to be confident and capable in their life beyond university.