Program Overview

Overview

The PhD and MRes programmes are closely linked to our growing and dynamic research culture. You'll benefit from engaging with highly qualified academic staff, working alongside a portfolio of dynamic and popular masters programmes.

Academic Supervision

A member of staff, expert in the chosen field, is directly responsible for guiding and supporting your research programme. As a research student you'll become part of our thriving academic community. Explore the staff, facilities and more in the Division of Social Sciences.

Research Areas

• Parliaments and legislatures
  • Political institutions
  • Engagement and participation
  • Representation
  • Theories of democracy
  • Political narratives and storytelling
  • Elections and voting
  • Civil society
  • The voluntary sector
  • Charities
  • NGOs
  • Gender
  • Sexuality
  • Race
  • Race, Disproportionality and Social Justice
  • Globalisation
  • International relations
  • Migration
  • Human rights
  • Genocide
  • Crimes against humanity
  • Social movements
  • Women's movements
  • Elites and networks
  • Agency
  • Development studies
  • Youth crime and desistance
  • Youth Safety
  • Young people and justice
  • Youth work/youth policy
  • Prostitution
  • Human trafficking
  • Violence against women and girls
  • Policing
  • Education for sustainability
  • Politics of sustainability
  • Politics and climate change
  • Social science research methods
  • Twentieth century Britain
  • Welfare and social policy
  • Social history
  • Political violence and state harms
  • State violence, harm and international justice
  • Criminalisation of dissent
  • Prison and prison experiences
  • Penal theories and policies
  • Experiences of the criminal justice system, imprisonment, violence and trauma
  • Peacebuilding
  • Transitional justice
  • Aesthetics
  • The Holocaust
  • Empire and contemporary imperialism
  • Fascism/contemporary right wing extremism/populism
  • China and the world system
  • Contemporary China

Research Culture

Research students who study at LSBU become a vital part of our dynamic research culture and are one of the essential elements which make LSBU an exciting intellectual environment.

All research students are enrolled in the LSBU’s postgraduate Key Skills programme. In addition, you can undertake research methods training from relevant MA and MSc courses, as well as taking part in specialist events and activities, which ensure an inclusive and thriving research culture.

MRes Programme

An MRes is distinct from a taught Masters in that your final output will be an extended dissertation (30,000 words) rather than module-based coursework and exams.

PhD Programme

A PhD, by definition, is an original contribution to knowledge. A research degree is different from a taught course. Research students are expected to self-direct their learning with support from a supervisory team.

To find out more about what to include in your proposal download our Law and Social Sciences PhD Proposal Guidelines (PDF File 97 KB) presentation.

Research Excellence Framework (REF)

In the 2014 REF 75% of our research into Social Work and Social Policy was awarded the quality rating of 3* out of 4* for 'environment' - quality that is defined as conducive to producing research of internationally excellent quality, in terms of its vitality and sustainability. We receive a wide range of external funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Department for International Development (DfID), the British Academy, charities, government departments and local authorities.

Entry Requirements

• UK Qualifications: A 2.1 honours degree, and a relevant Postgraduate qualification at Masters level would be beneficial. If you have the equivalent of lower second class honours you would also need a Postgraduate qualification at Masters level.
• International Qualifications: You will also be required to show proof of all of your qualifications. If English is not your first language you will be expected to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 at postgraduate level.

Fees

Part-time

PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 1

• UK fee: £3006
• International fee: £10560
• AOS/LSBU code: 9039
• Session code: 1PS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

MRes Social Sciences (PT) - Year 1

• UK fee: £2505
• International fee: £8800
• AOS/LSBU code: 4986
• Session code: 1PS00

PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 1

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £5010
• AOS/LSBU code: 9075
• Session code: 1DS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £26290
  • International: £26290

PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 2

• UK fee: £3006
• International fee: £10560
• AOS/LSBU code: 9039
• Session code: 2PS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

MRes Social Sciences (PT) - Year 2

• UK fee: £2505
• International fee: £8800
• AOS/LSBU code: 4986
• Session code: 2PS00

PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 2

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £5010
• AOS/LSBU code: 9075
• Session code: 2DS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £26290
  • International: £26290

PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 3

• UK fee: £3006
• International fee: £10560
• AOS/LSBU code: 9039
• Session code: 3PS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 3

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £5010
• AOS/LSBU code: 9075
• Session code: 3DS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £26290
  • International: £26290

PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 4

• UK fee: £3006
• International fee: £10560
• AOS/LSBU code: 9039
• Session code: 4PS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 4

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £5010
• AOS/LSBU code: 9075
• Session code: 4DS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £26290
  • International: £26290

PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 5

• UK fee: £3006
• International fee: £10560
• AOS/LSBU code: 9039
• Session code: 5PS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 5

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £5010
• AOS/LSBU code: 9075
• Session code: 5DS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £26290
  • International: £26290

PhD Social Sciences (PT) - Year 6

• UK fee: £1240
• International fee: £1240
• AOS/LSBU code: 9039
• Session code: WUS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

PhD Social Sciences (DL) - Year 6

• UK fee: £1240
• International fee: £1240
• AOS/LSBU code: 9075
• Session code: WUS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £26290
  • International: £26290

Full-time

MRes Social Sciences (FT) - Year 1

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £17600
• AOS/LSBU code: 4985
• Session code: 1FS00

PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 1

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £17600
• AOS/LSBU code: 9019
• Session code: 1FS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 2

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £17600
• AOS/LSBU code: 9019
• Session code: 2FS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 3

• UK fee: £5010
• International fee: £17600
• AOS/LSBU code: 9019
• Session code: 3FS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

PhD Social Sciences (FT) - Year 4

• UK fee: £1240
• International fee: £1240
• AOS/LSBU code: 9019
• Session code: WUS00
• Total course fee:
  • UK: £16270
  • International: £54040

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
• Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Research Skills Development

All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in research methods is available through frequent research seminars.

When necessary the research student can follow, in part, relevant Masters courses available within the School and in particular units on research methodology. In some cases, research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University or externally aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas.

In addition, they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills - both essential in their future careers.

Transferable Skills

A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.

Attending Conferences

Research students are often sponsored to attend national and international conferences and to meet leading scientists in their fields and to present their research findings. The progress of all research students is formally monitored by the University's Research Degree Committee.

Application

Home/EU Postgraduate Students and Research Students

Should apply through our dedicated application system.

Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.

International Applicants

Should use our international application system. Full details can be found on our How to apply section for international students.

Research Proposal

The Director of Postgraduate Research Studies for the School of Law and Social Sciences (LSS) is Dr Helen Young but you should contact an appropriate potential supervisor in the first instance.

Before applying formally, we would strongly recommend that you discuss your draft proposal with a potential supervisor whose profile indicates that their research area is similar to yours. See the list of supervisors below.

If you are a PhD applicant, please attach an outline of your research proposal (up to 1,000 words).

To find out more about what to include in your proposal download our Law and Social Sciences PhD Proposal Guidelines (PDF File 97 KB) presentation.

If you are an MRes applicant, please provide a short statement, of no more than 500 words, outlining the area of research you are interested in focusing on.