Social Sciences

Th PhD Social Sciences programme offered at Cardiff University is characterised by a strong focus on research training leading to theoretically-informed research that advances academic and policy debates.

The School of Social Sciences Social Sciences has an exceptionally strong and interdisciplinary research culture, and offers expert supervision across a wide range of research topics.

Programme aims

The Social Sciences programme from  Cardiff University Cardiff University , offers students the opportunity to undertake a sustained and independent research project, pursued at the highest level, as MPhil or Doctoral candidates. The attainment of a research degree provides an entry to a variety of career paths, including (as for many of our students) a career in academia.

Distinctive features

• The School of Social Sciences is home to a large, flourishing and interdisciplinary postgraduate community of over 100 research students.

• The School offers a range of PhD awards suitable to the stage of your career and background.

• Each year the School is successful in obtaining many funded study awards from public, private and third sector organisations that provide financial and other support to PhD students

• PhD students have access to a large study space within the School containing personal storage, computing facilities with university-wide connection to email, internet and up-to-the minute, disciplinary-specific, research applications and resources.

• PhD students are invited to participate in the School’s research community and attend research groups, seminar series and informal study groups to introduce them to – and with opportunities to act as leaders in – contemporary debate and expert opinion in their field.

• PhD students have access to a suite of excellent training opportunities (including research skills and methods) to support their studies and prepare them for the next stage of their career.

• There are opportunities for PhD students to contribute to teaching in the School’s undergraduate courses, and with additional training and mentoring, students may work towards HEA Associate/Fellow status.

Career prospects

University, academic and research; transferable skills allow for the development of career paths in any field requiring: clear and logical thinking; detailed reporting of empirical findings; advanced and critical analysis of complex data; the design and conduct of independent research; communication skills, both written and oral; the ability to identify and inquire into complex problems; the application and development of models and theory as these relate to human and social life.

Research areas may include:

• Science, technology and risk
• Crime, security and justice
• Education and education policy
• Health and social care
• Inequality, labour and the future of work
• People, place and policy