Postgraduate Study SOCIOLOGY

Postgraduate Study

SOCIOLOGYFrom Newcastle. For the world.

PG Sociology at Newcastle2

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CONTENTSWelcome to Sociology...................3

Taught Masters Programmes.....4

MA Sociology.......................................6

MA Sociology and Social Research.................................................7

MA module information.................8

PhD Programmes..............................10

Facilities..................................................11

Research Community......................12

Funding...................................................14

How to apply........................................15

2 PG Sociology at Newcastle

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Welcome to Sociology at Newcastle

We have a strong record of excellence in teaching, research and postgraduate study. One of our key strengths is the positive relationship we build with our students, which encourages them to be part of a vibrant and substantial student community.

Our research is marked by a strong commitment to high quality empirical research, original critical thinking and social engagement with 72% of our research activity graded as being of international significance (4*/3*). In addition we were ranked 13th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework 2014,

Sitting within the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, we actively engage in cross-disciplinary research and create partnerships with a range of non-academic actors, and fostering that kind of approach to research is embedded in both our MA and PhD Programmes. We value what our Masters and PhD students bring to the subject area and see both as integral to our research culture.

Whether you're a prospective PhD candidate or MA student, we invite you to join us and to contribute to our continuing success.

We offer a diverse learning experience and supportive research environment, choose Sociology at Newcastle for postgraduate study and we’ll help you realise your potential.


Taught Masters Programmes

We are a welcoming and inclusive subject area and will support you in your transition to postgraduate study.

We offer two MA Programmes, MA Sociology and MA Sociology and Social Research.

If you choose to study on one of our MA programmes, you’ll join

• those who have just completed their undergraduate degree and are continuing in their studies

• those who are returning to university education after several years of employment

• those who are undertaking an MA as a pathway to a PhD.

Our MA degrees are underpinned by excellent research-informed teaching on a range of specialist modules. On both programmes you’ll have the opportunity to take a number of modules in sociology and also the wider faculty research training programme.

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Angus, Postgraduate

Sociology Student

"I completed my degree at Newcastle and I knew it was

exactly the sort of place I wanted to do my PhD. The

academic staff are fantastic and I've felt supported every

step of the way"

"I found the Sociology department at Newcastle University to be incredibly

welcoming and supportive. Opportunities to network

and collaborate with other students and academics

are actively supported and promoted within the

department."

Adrienne, Postgraduate

Sociology Student

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Sociology MA Dissertation Conference

We host a Sociology MA Dissertation Conference annually which allows you to present your dissertation work to peers and staff in a friendly and supportive setting.


MA SociologyThis programme is designed to equip you with an awareness and understanding of the theoretical traditions and concepts that shape sociology as a discipline.

Throughout the programme you'll have the opportunity to explore key topics in contemporary sociology, including identity, social transformations, gender and patterns of inequality.

You'll cover modules in the discipline of sociology, training in research methods, and you'll undertake research to inform and shape a 15,000-word dissertation project.

This programme provides you with:

• knowledge in key areas in sociology including identity, citizenship, social transformation, social inequalities, sexuality, health and others

• an understanding of the variety of philosophical principles and epistemological frameworks that underpin approaches to social inquiry

• an understanding of the way social divisions are generated as structures of power and patterns of inequality, and how these are reproduced and transformed over time

• the skills needed for a career in the public or private sector, or to undertake further academic training

For module details, please see page 8-9.

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MA Sociology and Social ResearchThis programme is designed to enhance your knowledge of sociological work, whilst developing your research skills to a high level.

You'll develop the knowledge and understanding, expertise and aptitude necessary to undertake advanced research in the social sciences in general, and sociology in particular.

The programme is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as a route for potential PhD funding in Sociology at Newcastle.

This programme provides you with:

• an appreciation of the theoretical traditions and concepts that influence sociology, and the implications of such theories for research

• an awareness of the philosophical principles and epistemological frameworks that underpin all social enquiry

• an understanding of social divisions as structures of power and inequality

• enhanced employability skills; suitable for a career in research in universities, the public sector, or the private sector

For module details, please see page 8-9.


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Social Divisions and Inequalityteaches you to examine and understand a range of social divisions and inequalities in society through use of macro-sociological theories and recent empirical studies.

Being, Belonging and Identitycritically investigates sociological and anthropological approaches to, and uses of, identity and of subjectivity, introducing you to recent research.

Visual Sociologies introduces you to the eclectic world of visual sociologies, and positions sociological interest in 'visuality' within contemporary theories of social change and transformation.

Migration, Mobilities and Inequalities teaches you how social structures influence individual mobility choices and pathways, and the outcomes – positive and negative - of different types of migratory movements.

The Sociology of Technology:Materialities and Agency explores the extent to which artefacts have politics and agency, and to what extent technologies are actorsequally involved in the performanceand construction of social categories and kinds.

Theories of Society, Power andPolitics explores social theory by examining the things that we do with society, drawing links between contemporary understandings of society, the operation of power, and the working of politics in diversesettings and domains.

Dissertation - You'll undertake an independent research project on a topic of your choice, subject to the approval of your supervisor.

MA Module InformationA selection of Sociology modules currently offered.

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ModulesMA

Sociology

MA Sociology and Social Research

Social Divisions and Inequality Core Core

Being, Belonging and Identity Core Core

The Sociology of Technology: Materialities and Agency

Core Core

Theories of Society, Power and Politics

Core Core

An introduction to the Nature of Explanation and Enquiry

Core Not offered

Dissertation Core Core

Thinking about Research Core* Core

Information Skills Not offered Core

Dissertation Preperation Core* Core

Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Optional Core

Introduction to Quantitative Methods Optional Core

Visual Sociologies Optional Optional

Migration, Mobilities and Inequalities Optional Optional

Public Policy, Health and Health Inequalities

Optional Not offered

Gender, Sexualities, Politics and Global Health

Optional Not offered

Media Analysis Optional Not offered

Methodologies: Researching Media, Culture and Society

Core* Not offered

These are examples of modules offered in 2019/20 and are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please visit:www.newcastle.ac.uk and search for the course by title.

* You'll choose Thinking about Research and then EITHER Disseration Preperation or Methodologies: Researching Media, Culture and Society.


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PhD ResearchProgrammesWe have a vibrant and diverse PhD community of approximately 20 Sociology PhD students. You'll engage in a wide range of sociological research projects with strong interdisciplinary linkages, particularly with anthropology, geography, history and politics.

The richness and range of our doctoral scholarship is the result of the scope and imagination of staff expertise, but also reflects the intellectual and socio-cultural diversity of our PhD students. Whether you're an International, UK or EU student, all are represented at Newcastle, making it an exciting and dynamic place to study.

Research at Newcastle is world-leading, cutting edge and interdisciplinary. It has a reputation for being theoretically sophisticated as well as having impact and relevance for policy and practice.

You'll benefit from the connections which Sociology has built up with policymakers, professionals and practitioners working within international, national and regional contexts.

Research projects can range from ethnographic studies of post-disaster livelihoods to sex-trafficking and self-harm; from the links between higher education and underemployment to gay and lesbian families; from female social and political identities in African and Middle Eastern societies to the spread of new religions in post-socialist European countries.

We're also recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for PhD training and are part of the ESRC-funded NINE Doctoral Training Partnership which runs an annual competition for PhD studentships.

Our PhD Programme is ideal if you're planning an academic career or a career in the public and private sectors.

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All postgraduate students within the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology have access to a wide range of modern, high specification facilities.

Facilities

Dedicated Postgraduate Research workspace

A personal laptop or desktop computer upon registration

Access to high specification computer clusters

Field equipment

Laboratory facilities

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Research Community Re

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You'll form an integral part of the research community, and will be a key participant, contributor and nurturer of an innovative and lively research culture and environment.

Our research aims to:

• make a significant contribution to the discipline by conducting theoretical and empirical research of high international standard

• help redefine the core concerns of sociology by advancing new inter- and trans-disciplinary perspectives

• make a significant contribution towards advancing the state of knowledge on the key issues of our time, and informing the relevant academic and policy debates

• enhance the public relevance of sociology through the meaningful engagement of non-academic actors in all stages of the research process

We have a vibrant research seminar series with both invited speakers and current Sociology staff and postgraduate students presenting their work.

You'll have the opportunity to: • lead and deliver special events and workshops, seminar series,

reading groups and conferences.

• be involved in the organisation and development of Sociology's research clusters

• (as a PhD student) develop a mixed portfolio of research and training skills, through contributions to our teaching programme and other disciplinary activities.

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The Sociology research community at Newcastle has active research clusters and networks, as well as the cross-disciplinary research centre Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS).

Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS) Research CentrePEALS aim is to produce world-class research, focused on the social and ethical debates around the contemporary life sciences. Internationally recognised for interdisciplinary research, PEALS work to foster knowledge exchange between researchers and other stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, private enterprise, and diverse publics. Their goal is to ensure that their research has an influence on agendas within these stakeholder fields.

www.ncl.ac.uk/peals

Imagining Pasts and FuturesThis research cluster is concerned with the social imagination of pasts and futures. Memories of the past are shaped by visions of the future and conditions and contexts of the present. Visions of the future are related to understandings of the past and can shape actions in the present.

Identities, Embodiments and SelvesThe focus of this research cluster is to theoretically and empirically explore the complexities embedded in the production, maintenance and transgressions of social identities and modes of embodiment.

Power, Inequalities and CitizenshipThis research cluster is focussed on understanding how social inequalities emerge and manifest themselves in organisations, social structures and individual's life experiences. Research considers long term macro-sociological trends, micro-level analyses of inequalities of social class and other dimensions of inequality.

www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/sociology/research


FundingFu

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There are many funding opportunities available including a variety of studentships and bursaries to help with the cost of tuition and maintenance.

MA FUNDING

School PG Fees ScholarshipStudents may be eligible to apply for the School’s PG fees Scholarship, which offers a maximum scholarship of a full fee payment at the home/EU rate.

www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/about/funding/schoolfunding

PHD FUNDING

Research Council Doctoral Training PartnershipsThe School welcomes applications to the following Doctoral Training

Partnership:

• North Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE

DTP) funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

(ESRC)

www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/about/funding/councils/

Funding is advertised through the University's Funding and Finance database. The database enables you to search for all kinds of funding, from studentships to charities and corporate sponsorship. It will help you find the most relevant opportunities for your needs.

The offer of a place to study at Newcastle is made separate from any scholarship award to cover the cost of tuition and maintenance.

www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding


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How to applyYou can apply online, track your application and can contact the admissions team via our applicant portal.

Use our online portal to create, edit and submit your postgraduate application. Our online step-by-step guide can help you through the process.

www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate

If you're a current student at Newcastle you don’t need to create a new account, just use your S3P login and password.

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH APPLICANTS it is advised that you contact potential supervisors prior to submitting your application. It is also useful to provide an outline of your proposed areas of research.

For guidance on writing a research proposal:

www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/sociology/postgrad/research/#proposal

FIND OUT MORE about what it's like to be a postgraduate student at Newcastle University at our PG Café.

www.microsites.ncl.ac.uk/pgcafe

SociologySchool of Geography, Politics and SociologyNewcastle University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)191 208 3921Email: [email protected]/gps/sociology/postgrad

@NCL_sociology

This brochure is up-to-date at the time of going to press (January 2020). The most up-to-date and detailed source of information at any time is the university website: www.ncl.ac.uk

Photography by: D Bolam, J Donoghue

Documents

Postgraduate Study SOCIOLOGY