- Staff & students
MPhil/PhD Social Work
Course information.
Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies
3-4 years full-time or 4-6 years part-time
Course overview
Social work education at Goldsmiths has a long and distinguished record. We welcome enquiries from appropriately qualified applicants with research interests that align with those of our staff.
We provide a thriving research environment in which the research interests of staff are enormously varied, including:
- child protection
- learning disability
- mental health
- the interconnections between domestic violence and child abuse
- explorations of gender and sexuality in social care
Assessment is by thesis and viva voce.
Find out more about our staff and their research interests .
Find out more about research degrees at Goldsmiths .
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr Panagiotis Pentaris .
Entry requirements
You should normally have (or expect to be awarded) a taught Masters in a relevant subject area.
You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification ) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study .
Fees, funding & scholarships
Annual tuition fees.
These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2023/2024 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £TBC
- Home - part-time: £TBC
- International - full-time: £TBC
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office , who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment .
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page .
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments.
Funding opportunities
Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities . If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.
How to apply
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Before submitting your application you'll need to have:
- Details of your education history , including the dates of all exams/assessments
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
- Contact details of a second referee
- A personal statement – This can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online
- Contact potential supervisors from STaCS department and name a supervisor in the application who is willing to oversee your project
Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement
- If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)
- Details of your research proposal
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
Before you apply for a research programme, we advise you to get in touch with the programme contact, listed above. It may also be possible to arrange an advisory meeting.
Before you start at Goldsmiths, the actual topic of your research has to be agreed with your proposed supervisor, who will be a member of staff active in your general field of research. The choice of topic may be influenced by the current research in the department or the requirements of an external funding body.
If you wish to study on a part-time basis, you should also indicate how many hours a week you intend to devote to research, whether this will be at evenings or weekends, and for how many hours each day.
Research proposals
Along with your application and academic reference, you should also upload a research proposal at the point of application.
This should be in the form of a statement of the proposed area of research and should include:
- delineation of the research topic
- why it has been chosen
- an initial hypothesis (if applicable)
- a brief list of major secondary sources
When to apply
We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September.
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place conditional on you achieving a particular qualification.
If you're applying for external funding from one of the Research Councils, make sure you submit your application by the deadline they've specified.
Selection process
Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.
Find out more about applying .
Relevant staff include:
- Dr Claudia Bernard
- Dr Panagiotis Pentaris
- Dr Mark Taylor
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What do you want to do?
Find out about the research we do in social work.
- Social Work PhD
Find a supervisor
Mode of study
3 years full-time
6 years part-time
International £20,450
UK £4,596
Entry requirements
Research profile.
Social Work at Brunel University is aligned with grand challenges for social work research including focus on individual and family well-being, creating a stronger social fabric, and developing a just society. The Social Work team has expertise in many current issues with which social work engages, such as ageing, children and families, LGBT identities, mental health, migration, health, loss/grief and environmental concerns. The team holds strengths in social policy and interdisciplinary practice as well as planning for and adapting to current societal shifts. Brunel is one of the leading providers of social work and social policy research in London, funded by high-profile organisations like the ESRC, the AHRC, Nuffield Foundation, the Rowntree Trust, the European Union, the Department for Education and Skills and the NHS.
Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.
Learn more about research in this area.
Brunel Experts by Experience has a long and proud history at Brunel whereby service-users help the delivery of Social Work training to students and staff.
In the Division of Social Work we have members of staff who are:
- Editor of Ageing and Society, the leading social gerontology journal in the UK
- Fellows of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
- Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health
- Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences
- University of Auckland Ralph & Eve Seelye Charitable Trust Award Fellowship holder
- Serve on many editorial boards and have won many teaching awards
Other activities include:
- Health Research Authority Social Care Research Ethics Committee.
- National Institute for Health Research-Health Services and Delivery Research panel
- Welfare, Health and Wellbeing theme at the Institute of Environment, Health and Societies.
The Division of Social Work has:
- specialism in gerontology and children and families
- commitment to anti-oppressive practice
- service user perspectives and experiences
- specialist researchers in gender and sexualities
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour .
Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team .
You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.
Potential research students are encouraged to contact members of staff in the area of interest to receive guidance on how to focus the research proposal and to discuss their research areas.
Applicants are welcome to contact us about their own specialist topics and projects. We particularly welcome proposals on
- Ageing and LGBT identities
- Ageing and spiritual and emotional well-being
- Positive ageing and resilience
- Ageing and virtues, especially wisdom, courage, and beauty
- Anti-oppressive practice and the development of resilient practitioners
- Religious minorities
- Masculine identities
- Mixed couples
- End-of-life, palliative care, and hospice
- Loss and grief; death and dying
- Mental health
- Public policy and personal life
- Risk and its perception
- Spirituality and health
- Spirituality, religion, existentialism and meaning systems in social work.
While we welcome applications from student with a clear direction for their research, we are providing you with some ideas for your chosen field of research:
- Embodiment in professional practice, supervised by Yohai Hakak
Research journey
This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in October. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in April.
Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.
Research support
Excellent research support and training
The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme . The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.
Library services
Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.
Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.
Find out more: Brunel Library
Careers and your future
You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.
In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.
Find out more.
Social Work is an evidence-based profession. Research on the efficacy of social work interventions and on service user perspectives and experiences of services are crucial to it. This research is highly valued by the profession. PhDs in Social Work are respected in the field and set an academic research-active practitioner apart from practitioners in general. University departments that deliver social work education expect most staff to have PhDs.
UK entry requirements
The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1).
An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.
Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement. Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement here .
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list . This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 7 (min 6.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 64 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT : 68% (63% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 98 (min 23 in all areas)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre .
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2022/23 entry, international.
£20,450 full-time
£10,225 part-time
£4,596 full-time
£2,295 part-time
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
Fees for EU applicants – For entry in 2023/24 academic year, eligible EU applicants will have the same tuition fees as UK students to continue our support during this transition period. These fees will be applied for the duration of the course.
Some courses incur additional course related costs . You can also check our on-campus accommodation costs for more information on living expenses.
Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. Recently the UK Government made available the Doctoral Student Loans of up to £25,000 for UK and EU students and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.
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Due to the wide choice of disciplines at SSPP, highlighting the many aspects of social science research, our faculty offers a modern education rooted in King's long-standing research tradition as a one of the oldest universities in the UK. Anchored in the heart of London, and drawing upon our international links, we continuously attract academics and students from across the world which makes for a cosmopolitan, diverse and international hub of expertise from which our students can gain a global perspective on their area of research. Our students can also benefit from a range of worldwide opportunities open to them following on King's and SSPP's many strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide.
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MPhil/PhD Social Policy
- Graduate research
- Department of Social Policy
- Application code L4ZA
- Starting 2023
- Home full-time: Open
- Overseas full-time: Open
- Location: Houghton Street, London
Social policy at LSE is about the development, design, analysis, and evaluation of public policies. We cover a wide range of policy areas including crime, education, migration, population, social disadvantage, inequalities, and social security. The issues underpinning our work are global in application. What determines the needs, rights, and wellbeing of citizens and non-citizens? What is, and what should be, the roles of the state, the family, the market, and civil society?
This programme offers the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is of publishable quality and which makes an original contribution to the field of social policy. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.
You will be offered supervision in a wide range of specialist topics and will become a member of a vibrant and exciting research community. You will have access to a full collection of UK, US and EU public documents, parliamentary papers and statistical data as well as use of cutting edge networked computer facilities dedicated to research students, in the Social Science Research Laboratory within the Department.
Alongside the PhD programme, students have the opportunity to access broad LSE resources such as the PhD Academy and audit courses across the School. The Department of Social Policy is also associated with research centres such as the International Inequalities Institute (III), Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) and the Mannheim Centre for Criminology which students can be involved with.
Programme details
For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.
Entry requirements
Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd social policy.
The minimum entry requirement for this programme is an upper second class honours (2:1) bachelor's degree (or equivalent), plus high merit (65+) in a master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in social policy, or public policy and a high merit (65+) in the dissertation.
Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.
If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our Information for International Students to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
Assessing your application
We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff in the Department, and we recommend that you investigate staff research interests before applying. See Department People page .
We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form. Your application must include:
-a CV - a personal statement - details of academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications with transcripts) - 2 academic references - sample of written work - a research proposal of up to 4000 words with a title and abstract (300 words max) included at the beginning. More details on the Department MPhil/PhD webpage
Your research proposal should give details of the particular issue/problem to be addressed; relevant literature and previous research in the field; the theoretical/conceptual framework to be adopted; the proposed research question(s); and the planned research methods to answer the research question(s). This will enable the Department to make an informed decision about the proposal and, equally important, to establish if there are appropriate supervisors available to supervise the planned research. Two supervisors are normally identified at this stage. Please include an abstract (300 words max) at the beginning of your proposal which clearly covers what you intend to research, including your methodological approach.
See further information on supporting documents
You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do check our English language requirements for further information.
When to apply
The application deadline for this programme is 13 January 2023. However, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.
Fees and funding
Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Tuition fees 2023/24 for MPhil/PhD Social Policy
Home students: £4,704 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £21,768 for the first year
The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).
Table of fees
Fee status
The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.
Further information about fee status classification.
Scholarships, studentships and other funding
The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.
This programme is eligible for LSE PhD Studentships , and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline. Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 13 January 2023.
In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas. Find out more about financial support.
External funding
There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.
Further information
Fees and funding opportunities
Information for international students
LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.
If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students .
1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page).
2) Go to the International Students section of our website.
3) Select your country.
4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.
Programme structure and courses
You will attend a seminar series run by the doctoral programme director and are also encouraged to take courses in the Department of Methodology and in the Department of Social Policy as necessary. In the first year, you will register initially for the MPhil programme, and undertake specific training in research methods as required. In subsequent years, you will continue your research under the guidance of your supervisors, participate in seminars and present your work from time to time, by giving seminar presentations and conference papers.
In addition to progressing with your research, you are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. You may take courses in addition to those listed and should discuss this with your supervisor.
* denotes a half-unit course
First year
Training courses
Understanding Policy Research (Advanced)* Optional (not examined) If not already taken previously:
Case Studies and Comparative Methods for Qualitative Research*
Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design* Introduce the broad range of design options and to foster an appreciation of these alternatives for particular research objectives. Qualitative Research Methods* Prepares students to design, carry out, report, read and evaluate qualitative research projects. Students learn how to collect data using methods including interviewing, focus groups, participant observation, and documentary and historical work. Introduction to Quantitative Analysis* An intensive introduction to quantitative data analysis in the social sciences. The course is intended for students with no previous experience of quantitative methods or statistics. You will discuss with your supervisor any other methodological training that may be relevant for the successful completion of the MPhil/PhD programme. Transferable skills courses Compulsory (not examined) Research Student Seminar 1 Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their first year of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their major review documents.
Optional (not examined) Relevant courses provided by the Library, Teaching and Learning Centre and Methodology Department.
Second year
Training courses Optional (not examined) Applied Regression Analysis* Focuses on deepening the understanding of the generalised linear model and its application to social science data.
Multivariate Analysis and Measurement* Examines the modern multivariate methods used in the social sciences, with particular focus on latent variable models for continuous observed variables, and their application to questions of measurement in the social sciences.
Transferable skills courses Optional (not examined) Research Student Seminar 2 Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their second and third years of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their third year review documents.
Transferable skills courses
Optional (not examined) Research Student Seminar 2 Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their second and third years of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their third year review documents.
Fourth year
For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.
You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.
You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.
Supervision, progression and assessment
Supervision
You will be assigned a lead supervisor who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. You will also be assigned a co-supervisor/second supervisor. Lead-co supervisors guide you through your studies. During your first year you will attend and contribute to the Department's Research Student Seminar 1 and research training courses. These are designed to strengthen your methodological skills, language skills or background knowledge of specific topics related to your research. During your second and third years you will also attend and contribute to the Department’s Research Student Seminar 2.
Prospective candidates for the MPhil/PhD in Social Policy are not expected to contact potential supervisors in advance of their application. Identifying supervisors is part of the selection process. Due to the high volume of enquiries, potential supervisors are normally unable to provide feedback on enquiries and outline proposals.
Progression and assessment
You are required to undertake Major Review in the Spring Term of your first year (second year for part-time students). For Major Review you must submit a 10,000 word document with a detailed proposal for your thesis, your research question(s), a literature review, a description of your methodology, your plans for data collection and analysis and a timetable through to completion. You are interviewed on this document by senior staff who make the decision on upgrading.
Each pre-Major Review student is required to make a presentation on his or her proposed research to the Research Student Seminar prior to the submission of the major review document and to address issues raised by the Doctoral Programme Director. Post-Major Review, each student is required to submit a 1,000- to 2,000-word progress report at the end of the second year.
In the third year (full-time), each student is expected to make a presentation to the Research Student Seminar 2 of two substantive chapters/papers of the thesis prior to submission of the Third Year Review, which must be submitted at the end of the third year.
Third year students are expected to submit a Third Year Review document at the end of the year which should contain an introduction including the context of chapters submitted and an overall chapter outline, an outline of research methods, a minimum of two empirical chapters and a timeline to completion. The document is then reviewed by two senior academic from the Department who make a decision on re-registration. Continued registration depends on satisfactory progress each year.
Student support and resources
We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.
Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.
Department librarians – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies.
Accommodation service – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.
Class teachers and seminar leaders – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses.
Disability and Wellbeing Service – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as student counselling, a peer support scheme and arranging exam adjustments. They run groups and workshops.
IT help – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.
LSE Faith Centre – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.
Language Centre – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.
LSE Careers – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights.
LSE Library – founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide.
LSE LIFE – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’).
LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.
PhD Academy – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration.
Sardinia House Dental Practice – this offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.
St Philips Medical Centre – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.
Student Services Centre – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.
Student advocates and advisers – we have a School Senior Advocate for Students and an Adviser to Women Students who can help with academic and pastoral matters.
Student life
As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective.
Student societies and activities
Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from.
The campus
LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community.
Life in London
London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more.
Want to find out more? Read why we think London is a fantastic student city , find out about key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about London on a budget .
Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Social Policy
Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £33,000
Top 5 sectors our students work in:
- Education, Teaching and Research
- Government, Public Sector and Policy
- Health and Social Care
- International Organisations
- NGOs and Charities
The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2019-20 were the third group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.
Recent doctoral graduates have pursued careers in academia, in the government and public sector, in research, consultancy, education and teaching, NGOs and charities.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Support for your career
Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers .
Find out more about LSE
Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home.
Experience LSE from home
Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus. Experience LSE from home .
Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour. Find out about opportunities to visit LSE .
LSE visits you
Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders. Find details on LSE's upcoming visits .
How to apply
Virtual Graduate Open Day
Register your interest
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Mphil/phd sociology.
Code(s) L3ZS
MRes/PhD International Development
Code(s) Y2ZI
MRes/PhD Political Science
Code(s) M1ZN
MPhil/PhD Social Research Methods
Code(s) L9ZM
MPhil/PhD Demography (Social/Formal)
Code(s) M9ZD
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Social Work (fully funded) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
We have 11 social work (fully funded) phd projects, programmes & scholarships.
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PhD in Social Work
A PhD in Social Work is an opportunity to conduct original research that will improve our understanding of the field – and help improve the practice of social care. You might explore, for example, the efficacy of a specific intervention, or the experience of a particular demographic in accessing social services.
What’s it like to study a PhD in Social Work?
Working under the guidance of a specialist supervisor, you’ll conduct independent research, culminating in an extended dissertation that should make a substantial contribution to the field of Social Work.
Possible research areas include:
- Child protection
- Learning disabilities
- Mental health
- Gender, race, or sexuality within social work
- Domestic violence
Alongside your research, you may be encouraged or required to undertake additional training to help you develop subject knowledge and research skills specific to your research area.
Your research will likely involve a multidisciplinary approach – the field of social work draws on several other subject areas such as Psychology, Social Policy, Law and Business.
As well as engaging with secondary literature and pre-existing cases studies, you may collect primary data using methods such as focus groups, surveys and participant observation.
There are a number of advertised PhD projects in Social Work, but you also have the option of proposing your own research idea.
PhD in Social Work Entry Requirements
The most common entry requirement for PhD programmes in Gender Studies is an upper second-class Bachelors degree and a Masters degree at Merit level, both in a relevant discipline. Some programmes may set a 2:1 undergraduate degree alone as a minimum requirement, but bear in mind that applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and additional qualifications with often be an advantage.
PhD in Social Work Funding
The UK Research Council responsible for funding PhDs in Socioeconomics is the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It provides fully funded studentships that include coverage of your tuition fees, along with a stipend to cover living expenses.
Some advertised PhDs will have studentships attached. Students proposing their own research project may be able to apply for a studentship after being accepted onto the programme. If you are already working within the field, you may be able to get funding from your employer.
Full studentships are extremely competitive, so it’s likely you’ll need to cover at least some of your PhD costs independently. You could do this through applying for the UK government’s doctoral loan , part-time employment alongside your studies or support from charities or trusts .
PhD in Social Work Careers
Many PhD graduates in Social Work will pursue a career in research and continue making contributions to the field which will ultimately improve practice. An undergraduate or Masters degree in Social Work is required for those wishing to practice in the field – it’s likely that you’ll already have obtained one of these qualifications by the time you apply for a PhD. In this case, you might wish to continue a career in practice, potentially alongside academic research.
Your PhD will equip you with the skills necessary to be successful in plenty of other fields, however, such as social policy or human resources.
Fully-funded four-year PhD in Political and Social Sciences
Funded phd programme (students worldwide).
Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.
Social Sciences Research Programme
Social Sciences Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.
Protecting children from exploitation: A study of perpetrator characteristics and motivations
Phd research project.
PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.
Research opportunities in Language and Linguistic Science
Awaiting funding decision/possible external funding.
This programme is waiting to confirm funding from a university or external source. This may depend on attracting suitable students and applications are welcome. Please see the programme details for more information.
Humanities Research Programme
Humanities Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.
Mental health and Mindfulness: Professionals and the Populations they serve
Competition funded phd project (students worldwide).
This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.
PhD opportunities in the Department of Geography
Funded phd opportunities – apply now and start in october 2023, phd opportunities.
PhD Opportunities highlight some of the specific PhD projects, programmes or other information currently available from a university.
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics: AgriFoRwArdS
Funded phd programme (european/uk students only).
Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. It is available to citizens of a number of European countries (including the UK). In most cases this will include all EU nationals. However full funding may not be available to all applicants and you should read the full programme details for further information.
4 Year PhD Programme
4 Year PhD Programmes are extended PhD opportunities that involve more training and preparation. You will usually complete taught courses in your first year (sometimes equivalent to a Masters in your subject) before choosing and proposing your research project. You will then research and submit your thesis in the normal way.
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training
EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training conduct research and training in priority areas funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Potential PhD topics are usually defined in advance. Students may receive additional training and development opportunities as part of their programme.
Public involvement in Public Health Research and Evaluation (Ref: PUBHLTH-ACH)
Epsrc centre for doctoral training in creating our lives in data (horizon cdt).
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MPhil/PhD Social Work | Goldsmiths, University of London Order a prospectus Book an open day Apply now Department Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies Length 3-4 years full-time or 4-6 years part-time Social work education at Goldsmiths has a long and distinguished record.
Social Work at Brunel University is aligned with grand challenges for social work research including focus on individual and family well-being, creating a stronger social fabric, and developing a just society. The Social Work team has expertise in many current issues with which social work engages, such as ageing, children and families, LGBT ...
Study Leadership Studies with reference to Security & Development PhD, in the African Leadership Centre in the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy at King's College London or Joint PhD Leadership and Security Studies with the University of Pretoria.
Social Work degrees. Social Work degrees teach students how to improve the well-being and life-quality of vulnerable groups like children, youths, homeless people, or minorities. Social Work studies employ theories from Sociology, Education, Psychology, as well as knowledge of public laws.
46 PhD programmes in Social Work in United Kingdom - PhDportal. All disciplines. Applied Sciences & Professions 74. Emergency & Disaster Management1. Family & Consumer Science4. Fashion, Textiles and Luxury Goods3. Food Sciences6. Forensic Science9. Library Science3.
Search Funded PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Sociology, Social Work in London. Search for PhD funding, scholarships & studentships in the UK, Europe and around the world. PhDs
Social policy at LSE is about the development, design, analysis, and evaluation of public policies. We cover a wide range of policy areas including crime, education, migration, population, social disadvantage, inequalities, and social security. The issues underpinning our work are global in application.
PhD in Social Work Funding The UK Research Council responsible for funding PhDs in Socioeconomics is the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It provides fully funded studentships that include coverage of your tuition fees, along with a stipend to cover living expenses.
Fully Funded PhD Programs in Social Work. Complete your PhD in Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh and receive four years of full funding. Next in my series on How To Fully Fund Your PhD, I provide a list below of universities that offer full funding to all students admitted to their PhD programs in social work or social welfare.