Nottingham Trent University

What you'll study

The PhD in Social Sciences is a research degree centred on an independent, original thesis. You will work with one or more supervisors to develop a sustained programme of research that contributes new knowledge to your chosen field. Topics can span qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods projects in areas such as social inequality, community and urban studies, crime and justice, family and childhood studies, health and welfare policy, migration, and governance.

While there are no taught modules as part of the thesis, research candidates are supported by a structured training and development programme. Typical elements include:

• Research design and advanced research methods (qualitative and quantitative techniques, longitudinal methods, comparative methods)
• Research ethics and governance, including practice with institutional review procedures
• Data management and analysis tools (statistical software, qualitative coding packages, GIS where relevant)
• Academic writing, publication and dissemination skills, including preparation for conference presentation and journal submission
• Interdisciplinary research seminars, reading groups and opportunities to collaborate with other postgraduate researchers and academic staff

Students are normally expected to produce a thesis of doctoral standard, undergo annual progress reviews and a viva voce examination. Part-time study is typically available and many students combine university-based training with fieldwork, archival research or placements with external partners.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a relevant master's degree with a strong research component or an undergraduate degree with significant research experience. Typical applicants have a good honours degree and/or a research-led master's (or international equivalent) and will submit a clear research proposal outlining aims, context, methodology and potential contribution to the field.

Admission is dependent on the availability of appropriate supervision and resources. You will need to identify potential supervisors within the School of Social Sciences and provide a CV, references and written samples of academic work. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate proficiency in English through a recognised qualification acceptable to the university.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors informally before applying to discuss the feasibility of proposed projects and available supervision expertise.

Career prospects

Graduates from PhD programmes in social sciences go on to a wide range of roles in academia, public policy, the voluntary sector and the private sector. Common career pathways include:

• Academic and research posts (postdoctoral researcher, lecturer, research fellow)
• Policy analyst or researcher in government departments, local authorities and international organisations
• Research roles in think-tanks, charities and non-governmental organisations
• Research consultancy, evaluation and impact assessment for public services or private sector clients
• Knowledge exchange, public engagement and leadership positions where advanced research skills and critical analysis are valued

The emphasis on both methodological rigour and applied research means graduates are well placed to influence policy debates, deliver evidence-based programmes and lead research teams in a variety of settings.

Why study at Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University offers a supportive doctoral environment with experienced supervisors working across the social sciences and related disciplines. You will benefit from a structured researcher development programme run by the university, access to specialist training in advanced methods, and a calendar of research seminars and events that foster interdisciplinary exchange.

The university has strong links with local and regional partners, creating opportunities for applied and impact-orientated projects. NTU’s libraries, data services and IT facilities support complex data management and analysis, while the research community provides peer networks, staff-student collaboration and routes to publish and present research findings.

Whether your project is primarily theoretical, empirical or practice-based, NTU aims to provide the supervisory expertise, research training and professional development needed to complete a rigorous and impactful PhD in the social sciences.