School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies

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Course structure

The Sociology, Politics or East Asian Studies PhD programmes normally take three years to complete on a full-time basis plus a writing up period of one year. New PhD students will usually join the programme at the beginning of Teaching Block 1 in September. Part-time study is also available which is six years plus a writing up period of two years.

Disciplinary PhD programmes that are offered by SPAIS are:

  • Sociology (PhD)
  • Politics (PhD)
  • East Asian Studies (PhD)

Supervision arrangements

All research (PGR) students in SPAIS are assigned two supervisors. In most cases, supervision is equally shared in a joint model rather than there being a primary and secondary supervisor. Supervisors will be allocated on the basis of the information given in the research proposal, which is required to be provided as part of the application. They will be well-placed to provide academic advice and support, and also act as personal tutors to provide pastoral care and guidance throughout the duration of studies.

Supervision meetings are expected to be scheduled at least once a month and should take place in person.  Both supervisors and PGR students share decisions regarding the annual review process, reviewing the thesis, and making preparations for the final MPhil or PhD viva. If a student's research changes, it may become desirable to alter the weighting of the supervision between the assigned supervisors or to change one or both supervisors entirely. 

Monitoring progress and performance

The school takes great care to monitor the progress of its research students and to ensure that any problems are quickly identified and resolved. Once every year all research students and their supervisors are required to complete an annual progress review as detailed in the PGR Code of Practice. 

Research training programme

2023/24

In their first year (or over the first two years for part time students) all PhD students are registered on the core units of the MSc in Social Science Research Methods. 

SOCIM0011: Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences

SOCIM0012: Philosophy & Research Design in the Social Sciences

SOCIM0013: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences

 

These units are considered mandatory because they will not only provide students with the necessary skills required to support them in the course of their research but are also transferable skills that may help with employment after finishing the PhD. Experience has shown that students who complete these units are better equipped to successfully complete their PhD. 

Exemptions are available from the above if the student can provide evidence and/or documentation of previous experience and qualifications to the Programme Director. 

2024/25

Students need to complete and pass at least 60 credits, unless they are exempted from individual units after applying for Recognised Prior Learning.

Note that students need not complete the 60 credits units in their first year (but they can if they wish); they can choose to e.g. complete two units in the first year, and the third in the second year of studies. However, students should have completed the units before month 18 (full-time students) or month 36 (for part-time students).

The two mandatory units run in TB1. In TB2 students have to take either Advanced Quantitative or Advanced Quantitative Research Methods.

Select one unit from:

Preparation for MPhil or PhD viva

MPhil and PhD theses are examined in a viva voce examination by an internal examiner, generally from within the school, and by an external examiner appointed from another academic institution in the UK. To prepare PhD students for their viva, the school offers the opportunity to undertake a mock viva. This is held in the period between the submission of the thesis and the actual viva. Further details regarding assessment are in the PGR Code

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