Social work & social policy,PhD

University of Strathclyde

United Kingdom, Glasgow

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Home/United Kingdom/Glasgow /University of Strathclyde/Social work & social policy,PhD

University of Strathclyde

United Kingdom , Glasgow

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

MainSite

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 18,050 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Social work & social policy,PhD

About

Research opportunities

The School of Social Work & Social Policy offers MPhil and PhD programmes in:

In Social Policy, we offer supervision across each of the School’s main research areas (see below). We cover both historical and contemporary issues, and welcome enquiries from students with interests in Scotland, the UK and globally. We're currently supervising students on a wide range of topics from volunteering and associational life in contemporary Scotland to assessing the impacts of social policies on Human Development in Sierra Leone.

Our Social Work staff also offer supervision across all of our research areas. Current work includes studies of the provision of support for disabled children and their families, various aspects of criminal justice social work, and the experiences of looked-after children and care-leavers. Many of our current students benefit from the opportunity to work with colleagues in the Centre for Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection (CELCIS) and the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ).

Our PhD programme in Criminology draws on the expertise of colleagues in both Social Work and Social Policy and the School of Law. We offer supervision across a range of topics, including youth and criminal justice, criminalisation, punishment and sentencing, the promotion of desistance, prison health services, and prisoners’ relationships with their families and the wider community. We also have close links with the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR).

The School also manages a dedicated PhD programme in Public Health and Health Policy. This programme also draws on the expertise of colleagues in the Centre for Health Policy and other parts of the Faculty and University. We're currently supervising students who are working on a variety of different topics, ranging from the impact of mental health problems on women experiencing poverty to the relationship between mental health, homelessness and recovery.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Apply

Entry requirements

Applicants are generally required to have a first-class or a strong upper second-class UK Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in a relevant discipline (though there is some flexibility within this, e.g. for students who have a relevant Masters degree with merit/distinction).

The application

During the application you'll be asked for the following:

your full contact details
transcripts and certificates of all degrees
proof of English language proficiency if English isn't your first language
two references, one of which must be academic
funding or scholarship information
research proposal of 1,500 to 2,000 words in length, detailing the subject area and topic to be investigated

By filling these details out as fully as possible, you'll avoid any delay to your application being processed by the University.

Supervisors

If you're thinking about applying to undertake a PhD/MPhil with us, you'll need to identify two research supervisors before you finalise your application, at least one of whom must be based in the School of Social Work & Social Policy (see the research interests of individual staff in the School). If you already have a clear idea of who you would like to supervise your PhD/MPhil, drop them an email to introduce yourself. If you aren’t yet sure about this, get in touch with the PGR Director. In either case, please include a draft research proposal and a copy of your CV.

Accepting an offer

When you've accepted our offer, we'll need you to fulfil any academic, administrative or financial conditions that we ask.

UK or EU students

If you're applying as a UK or EU student, you'll then be issued with your registration documentation.

English Program Requirements

We accept a number of English language tests as proof of proficiency in English. IELTS is the most widely available. Information on this can be found on the British Council Website.

Our current standard requirements are:

IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall (no individual band less than 5.5)
Faculty of Science: IELTS (Academic): 6.0 overall (no individual band less than 5.5)
Faculty of Engineering (Undergraduate only): IELTS (Academic): 6.0 overall (no individual band less than 5.5)

Some degree programmes have different English language requirements to the above so please check each individual course page for details.

Other English language tests may be acceptable and you can find these here:

Recognised English language qualifications for pre-sessional and degree entry

If you have a qualification not listed, you should contact our Recruitment & International Office for advice.

Career

The University Careers Service can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation. Take a look at our Careers Service pages to get more information.

Fee Information

Fees & funding

All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.

Entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing up period.

Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.

All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.

Annual revision of fees

Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.

Tuition Fee

GBP 18,050

Application Fee

GBP