Integrated Study (Social Sciences) PhD - 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.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Doctoral research

Study Options: Full time

Duration: 4 years full-time

Typical Offer: Masters degree or first-class honours degree and relevant professional qualification (More detailed entry requirements and the international qualifications accepted can be found in the course details)

Start date: Contact the School directly

Contact

Read FAQs for this programme

PhD Programme Co-ordinator: Professor Chris Skelcher

If you complete our contact form we will respond to your enquiry within two business days.

Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 4962 or by email: socialstudies-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Course details

Details

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.

Programme content

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 Science
Researching Disability
Approaches to Research on Discourse
Policy Evaluation
Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis (using NVivo) (using NVivo)
Secondary Data Analysis in Social Research
Q Methodology – A Systematic Approach for Interpretive Research Design
Activity Theory and its Research Applications
Role of Thinking (subject to approval)

Support and training

Birmingham Business School provides dedicated facilities, resources and support to postgraduate students and early career researchers which includes The Midlands Graduate School and Doctoral Training Centres and Programmes. Click to find out more.

Fees and funding

Standard fees apply
Learn more about fees and funding

Learn more about International fees and funding

For further information contact the School directly or email financialsupport@bham.ac.uk

Entry requirements

Typical offer: Masters degree or first-class honours degree and relevant professional qualification

Learn more about entry requirements

International students
Learn more about international entry requirements

Standard English language requirements apply

How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Contact

Read FAQs for this programme

PhD Programme Co-ordinator: Professor Chris Skelcher

If you complete our contact form we will respond to your enquiry within two business days.

Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 4962 or by email: socialstudies-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Overview

Research interests

Contact

Read FAQs for this programme

PhD Programme Co-ordinator: Professor Chris Skelcher

If you complete our contact form we will respond to your enquiry within two business days.

Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 4962 or by email: socialstudies-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Course details

Employability

If I gain an Integrated Study PhD in Social Sciences, what are my career prospects?

The training available on this Integrated Study PhD programme enables graduates to develop advanced skills in designing and conducting research in the Social Sciences. Such skills are highly applicable to a variety of careers in academia, business, government and non-profit organisations.

What type of career assistance is available to doctoral researchers in the College of Social Sciences?

The College of Social Sciences at Birmingham has specially designated careers advisors and careers consultants who can provide guidance for doctoral researchers on career paths, CVs, training opportunities, application and interviews. The University’s central Careers’ Service also runs workshops and offers personally tailored advice and guidance including 1-1 careers advice, 1-1 CV advice. The Career’s Service also runs CV writing workshops especially for postgraduates in the College of Social Sciences, giving advice on how to compile CVs for both employment and for academic roles.

The University also has dedicated careers advisors for International students who run workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. These are especially popular with International postgraduate researchers.

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.

Contact

Read FAQs for this programme

PhD Programme Co-ordinator: Professor Chris Skelcher

If you complete our contact form we will respond to your enquiry within two business days.

Alternatively, you can contact us on +44 (0)121 414 4962 or by email: socialstudies-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Research interests