Personal tools

Social Work PhD and MPhil

How to Apply

Apply for a PhD or MPhil in Social Work

  1. Search our staff research interests to make sure we offer PhD/MPhil supervision in the area you want to work in
  2. Draft a research proposal that tells us what you want to research, how you intend to do it, and why it is worth doing
  3. Prepare your supporting documents
  4. Submit your online application or apply by post 

The School of Social Work is a well-established centre for postgraduate teaching and research. Its mission is to contribute to the well being of society through research, practice development and the education and training of social workers and other professionals.

Our Research Degrees

The School of Social Work offers supervision for the degrees of:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Full-Time and Part-Time
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Full-Time and Part-Time 

PhD and MPhil Supervisors and Research Areas

We offer PhD and MPhil supervision in areas that are compatible with the research interests of our academic staff, which include:

  • Effects of poverty on health and health care
  • Child care policy and practice
  • Social work theory
  • Social work education
  • Community care  

PhD and MPhil Description

Candidates are required to submit a written thesis of 50,000 words (PhD) or 30,000 words (MPhil) which is assessed in an oral examination. A higher limit of 80,000 words (PhD) or 50,000 words (MPhil) is allowed where the research is case-study based.

The thesis must be submitted for examination within the following periods of registration:

Minimum Maximum
PhD Full-Time Two Years Four Years
PhD Part-Time Three Years Six Years
MPhil Full-Time One Year Two Years
MPhil Part-Time Two Years Four Years

Share this page: