Sociology Newcastle University

Our research expertise centres around three themes: Identities, the Sociology of Health and Life Sciences and Social Transformations. Our research tradition covers sociology, social policy and social anthropology. We have strengths in the fields of family studies, health studies, political economy, sexuality, citizenship, and youth and student lives.

Our MPhil and PhD projects cover a wide spectrum of contemporary sociology including:

• bodies, identities and experiences
• culture and material life
• 'development' and the global south
• emotions and intimacy
• environment and society
• imagining pasts and futures
• sexualities and gender
• sociology of ethics
• sociologies of health and life sciences
• sociology of law
• visual and aesthetic cultures

Each of these themes represents the expertise of a member of staff actively engaged in sociological research.

Read more about staff specialisms and research themes.

Most of our research students are based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, with some based in the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS) Research Centre.

Four research clusters act as the intellectual focus for the development and exchange of ideas. You will join one or more of these research groups:

• Identities, embodiments and selves
• Imagining pasts and futures
• Power, inequalities and citizenship
• Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS) Research Centre

You can view some of our postgraduate research projects online. Our sociology seminar series means that you will be able to listen to experts on a regular basis - live or from a podcast.

We have numerous international links and there will be opportunities for some PhD students to conduct research abroad. We currently have postgraduate researchers in Taiwan, Korea, Germany and India.

Data based on responses from 444 UK, EU and International postgraduate leavers (2011/12, 2012/13) studying in the School of Biology, School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, School of Marine Science and Technology, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. See more about what our graduates do.

Facilities

The School provides a dedicated postgraduate common room and postgraduate study rooms. You will have access to postgraduate IT clusters in the Daysh, Claremont Bridge and Great North Road buildings.

Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree and a master's degree, or international equivalent, in a related subject.

International Students

To study this course you need to meet our Band 8 English Language requirements:

Direct Entry: IELTS 7.0 overall (with a minimum of 6.5 in all sub-skills)

If you have lower English Language scores, you may be accepted onto a pre-sessional English course.

Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we also accept a wide range of English Language tests.

The equivalent academic qualifications that we accept are listed on our country pages.

Pre-sessional English Course Requirements

• 6 week Pre-sessional entry:Not accepted
• 10 week Pre-sessional entry: IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in all sub-skills)

You can study a pre-sessional English course at our INTO Newcastle Centre.