Social Sciences - PhD

Research in the School of Social Sciences has strong real world applications. Researchers within the School have close links with the local communities, NGOs and organisations such as the Police and Prison Service.  They work in collaboration with such groups to inform and drive policy to change the society in which we live.

In Criminology, staff research includes subjects such as Crime Culture & Contemporary Media, Extremism Security Studies & Terrorism, Positive Criminology, Sports Criminology and Birmingham Urban Studies.

In Sociology, staff explore aspects of the African diasporic communities, popular culture, higher education and society and health, housing, domestic abuse and politics.

In Psychology, staff research explores three main areas: cognitive, developmental and disorders; forensic psychology; and individuals, society and health.

Current interests

Criminology research clusters

• Crime, Culture and Contemporary Media
• Birmingham Urban Studies
• Extremism, Security Studies and Terrorism
• Positive Criminology
• Sports Criminology

Psychology research clusters

• Applied Cognition and Technology
• Applications and Interventions in Positive Psychology
• Health and Well-Being
• Inequalities
• PRiDE: Psychological Research in Development and Education
• Applied Forensic Psychology

A full list of opportunities in Psychology research can be found here.

Sociology research clusters

• Black Studies
• Cultural Sociology
• Higher Education and Society
• Policy, Activism and Politics

A day in the life of a PhD student

If you're considering doing a PhD there's probably a lot of questions going through your mind: how am I going to pay for it? Should I quit my job? Will I cope with the workload? But most importantly, what is it really like? Karen Patel, a full time PhD student, shares her experiences of juggling life, a part time job and her studies.

The PhD Journey

A PhD can take three to four years full-time.  Each PhD journey is unique and depends on circumstances and the nature of the research.  Broadly, however, most journeys fall into a three stage pattern before completion and examination. Usually, the first stage of the journey involves engaging with what has already been written in the field: identifying the gap in current knowledge. The second stage usually involves doing the research. The final stage in the journey involves collating the data and writing up the findings. In reality, of course, these stages overlap and inform each other.

Modes of study 

Our PhD programmes are offered full-time or part-time. These modes of study ensure that we can create a PhD research plan around your lifestyle needs, even if you are in full-time employment or overseas.

Full-time PhD Research: three to four years

As a full-time PhD research student you will undertake much of your research on campus using the facilities available.

You will be expected to complete your research and submit your work for examination within 36-43 months.

Part-time PhD Research: four to seven years

You would chose part-time PhD research if you opt to study whilst in employment or if full-time study is impractical.

You will be encouraged to use the campus facilities when you can and may often work from home.

You will be expected to complete your research and submit your work for examination within 48-72 months.

How the PhD is assessed

The criteria to be awarded a PhD is to make a ‘unique contribution to knowledge.’ Whether a student has achieved this is determined by a panel of experts, including internal and external academics. The panel will assess the student’s written thesis, and the student’s oral defence of that thesis in a viva voce.