Overview

This pathway is for social scientists who wish to learn advanced quantitative methods for secondary-data analysis, and apply these methods appropriately to answer particular substantive questions from their disciplines. This includes social scientists who are interested in interdisciplinary research that requires the application of quantitative methods from one discipline to problems in another.

This pathway is also for statistically trained researchers whose interests are more methodological. Projects may involve applying statistical methods used in other disciplines to social science problems, or developing novel statistical methods for analysing social science data. We welcome applications from students with backgrounds in statistics or related disciplines.

You will normally be registered in the school of your first supervisor. This may not be the school that processes your application.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class degree (or equivalent qualification) with substantive quantitative elements (at least 60 credits plus a quantitative dissertation).

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£4,758 per year
UK: part-time
£2,379 per year
Overseas: full-time
£20,700 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships. Applicants may also be interested in applying for funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund and alumni PhD scholarship fund.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Our students go on to employment in a wide variety of areas - often where statistical analysis is required, but also where numeracy is crucial. Students also continue within academic careers, going on to post-doctoral and lecturing positions.

At its core, the programme establishes a sound research training base, together with a set of bespoke training courses that provide students with the advanced quantitative toolkit required for their PhD research. It also provides a foundation for different types of employment, including research, policy and intervention implementation.

Meet our supervisors

The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.

julia.gumy@bristol.ac.uk;rich.harris@bristol.ac.uk;kelvyn.jones@bristol.ac.uk;g.leckie@bristol.ac.uk;d.manley@bristol.ac.uk;sarah.smith@bristol.ac.uk;kate.tilling@bristol.ac.uk;w.wang@bristol.ac.uk;liz.washbrook@bristol.ac.uk;levi.john.wolf@bristol.ac.uk;

Research groups

The ESRC has designated advanced quantitative methods as a priority area, and the purpose of this pathway is to provide training and supervision that emphasises quantitative methods to a higher level than is usually offered. Training includes a structured programme of core advanced quantitative methods courses and a fortnightly research and reading group.

Details of the core training currently offered can be found on the advanced quantitative methods courses web page.

You will need two supervisors: one supervisor with advanced quantitative methods expertise and one supervisor with expertise in your chosen substantive area. Your main supervisor must be from a social science discipline. For a list of potential supervisors, please consult our academic staff pages on the relevant school websites.

Contact us

Contact

Postgraduate Student Administrator

Phone
+44 (0) 117 928 7878
Email
geog-pgadmis@bristol.ac.uk
Contact
Emmanouil Tranos, Programme Director
Phone
+44 (0) 117 928 7878
Email
geog-pgadmis@bristol.ac.uk