Course details

Summary

The PhD is a globally recognised postgraduate research degree, the highest level of degree you can achieve. PhD students are critical, curious, creative thinkers who undertake original research over at least 3 years. As well as your supervised original research, through your doctoral programme you will have opportunities to expand and develop your personal and professional skills. Doctoral candidates present their work at local and international conferences, and are encouraged to network and collaborate with a wide range of experts in their research field.

This course is also offered at overseas and Manukau location.

Sociology

Sociology explores topical social issues and seeks to understand the modern world.

Areas of study

Postgraduate study in Sociology allows you to advance your knowledge of sociological literature, theories and methods, while you develop your own research interests. Study and research opportunities reflect the department's research strengths: social policy, family, gender, ethnicity, health, the history of modernity, development and poverty, genocide and death, tourism, religion, migration, law, capitalism and neoliberalism.

What you will learn

Sociology develops analytical and research skills. In Sociology we are interested in how the individual relates to society and how societies change across time. You can examine and analyse different aspects of modern society, eg, popular culture and the media, sexuality, ethnic identities, crime, religion, social justice and the family.

Career opportunities

Graduates with a postgraduate degree in Sociology have been valued for their research skills, their ability to critique existing understandings and provide innovative ways to think about social contexts, business and market environments, political and social movements. Our graduates have careers in business, local and national government, social welfare, media and journalism, social and health research, marketing, policy analysis, town planning, law enforcement and education.

Programme structure

The University of Auckland PhD is a three-to-four year full-time advanced research degree.

On entry to the PhD programme, you will be enrolled provisionally. By the end of your first year, you must meet a number of goals to be confirmed into the PhD programme, including developing a full thesis proposal. After confirmation, you will continue to work on your research before submitting your thesis for examination after three years and within four years of your start date. The examination process includes an oral exam.

As part of your PhD study, you can take part in our doctoral skills programme, designed to help you achieve success in your research and develop skills for your future. We have a dedicated postgraduate careers advisor, and our library service includes specialist subject librarians to help you in your research. The central School of Graduate Studies provides dedicated support and advice for the doctoral community.

Where could this programme take you?

Our PhD graduates are successful in a wide range of fields and careers, as well as the traditional academic research career path. The PhD gives you extensive specialist and transferable skills, which are sought after in many sectors, including industry and government, and can even help you to develop entrepreneurship skills to run your own startup.

Entry criteria

• Masters-level qualification or the equivalent of a bachelors degree with honours
• GPE 5.5
• Evidence of significant research, usually undertaken as part of prior study

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.5; TOEFL (iBT) 90; TOEFL (paper-based) 575; CAE or CPE 176; PTE 58; MELAB 85.