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Integrated Study (Social Sciences) PhD – (Ph.D.)
University of Birmingham
School of Social Sciences
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 4,232 - ≈ € 12,860 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Birmingham / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 48 months | ||
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Birmingham
This four-year PhD programme is designed for individuals wishing to develop advanced knowledge and skills in social science research design and methods through a mixture of coursework and independent research with supervisory support. The programme is particularly suited to PhD applicants who require the masters-level social science research training that is necessary in order to undertake independent PhD study.
Year one is devoted to coursework to build generic social science research skills that are then applied in years two-four through independent research with supervisory support and complementary research training.
Your coursework in year 1 will be taken within the recently redesigned MA in Social Research programme, within the University’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised Doctoral Training Centre. This programme aims to provide students with a thorough and advanced education in social research design and the most up-to-date training in methods of data collection and analysis. The combination of core modules and short courses on more advanced topics provides flexibility to relate training to the thesis topic.
If you pass the coursework component, you will progress to normal PhD study in years 2–4. You will work closely with your supervisors in designing and undertaking your own research project, leading to an 80,000 word thesis. You will also undertake additional training in advanced methods and transferable skills, guided by the regular training needs analysis that forms an essential basis for your Career Development Plan.
Key facts
Type of Course: Doctoral research
Duration: 4 years full-time
Start date: Contact the School directly
Contents
The core elements of the year 1 taught programme are delivered by staff across the entire College of Social Sciences, many of whom are engaged in cutting-edge research in their own fields. Students will benefit by undertaking the modules with others from the College’s constituent schools of Business, Education, Government and Society, and Social Policy. Students will take:
Four core modules (these may be substituted for discipline specific modules depending on the pathway being followed):
* Introduction to Social Science Research (20 credits)
* Research Design (20 credits)
* Social Research Methods I (20 credits)
* Social Research Methods II (20 credits)
Four elective modules (10 credits each) from the short course programme below, which are run as 2-day intensive workshops.
* From Multiple linear to Logistic regression
* Narrative Research
* Analyzing Hierarchical and Panel Data
* Visual Research Methods
* Linguistic Ethnography
* Documentary Research in Education, History and the Social Sciences
* Researching Disability
* Approaches to Research on Discourse
* Policy Evaluation
* Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis (using NVivo)
* Secondary Research Data Analysis in Social Research
* Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Social Science
* Overseas Research
* Q Methodology – A Systematic Approach for Interpretive Research Design
* Activity Theory and its research applications
Learning and teaching
The coursework involves a mix of group-work, lectures, laboratory exercises, and project work. The independent research stage in years 2 – 4 involves self-directed research with supervisory support.
Career opportunities
The training enables graduates to develop advanced skills in designing and conducting research, in ways that are applicable to a variety of careers in academia, business, government and non-profit organizations.
Related links
College of Social Sciences website:
Graduate School website:
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
Typical offer: Masters degree or first-class honours degree and relevant professional qualification
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Master's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 93 |
Ask a Question
You can contact Professor Chris Skelcher to ask a question about Integrated Study (Social Sciences) PhD at University of Birmingham.
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