Course summary
We offer research supervision across a broad range of social policy topics and themes. The study of welfare arrangements is a fundamental part of what we do. Welfare states, and other institutions seeking to meet human need, everywhere face enormous challenges from population ageing, changes in family life and work-patterns, migration and the economic crisis. In a globalised and interdependent world, these issues can only be understood from an international perspective which accounts for these common pressures and processes, but which also recognises and engages with the diversity of national traditions and institutions for delivering welfare. We are especially interested in postgraduate research proposals to investigate these challenges and issues, please refer to individual staff members’ web pages to identify your chosen specialism. About the School of Social Sciences Our School has a long and distinguished history and is one of the largest and most successful social science research communities in Europe. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 100% of our Social Work and Social Policy research was classified as ‘world-leading’ or 'internationally excellent' for impact and environment The School supports a large and thriving postgraduate community and in 2010 distributed in excess of £100,000 in Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) quota awards, and in University and school bursaries and scholarships to new students. Academic staff specialise in research of international, comparative and theoretical significance, and we have collective strengths in the following areas: civil society, NGOs and the third sector; cross-national and European social policy; health, social care and health studies; work, employment and economic life; risk, ‘risk society’ and risk management; race, ethnicity and religion; social and public policy; sociology and the body; crime, culture and control; sociological theory and the culture of modernity.
Assessment method
As your PhD progresses, you move through a series of progression points and review stages. This ensures that you are engaged in a process of research that will lead to the production of a high-quality thesis and that you are on track to complete this in the time available. Following submission of your PhD thesis, you have a viva voce (oral) examination assessed by experts in your field.
Entry requirements
Applicants should hold a 2:1 in an undergraduate Bachelor's (Honours) degree in a relevant discipline, from a UK or other approved university or equivalent. In the case of research in health services and personal social services, we will also consider candidates with professional qualifications alone and/or relevant experience in the health service. You must submit a research proposal of approximately 1,500 words on your intended topic. All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications, and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Kent
Recruitment and Admissions Office
Registry
Canterbury
CT2 7NZ