The Department of Sociology provides a vibrant, intellectually stimulating and supportive environment for doctoral students. High quality supervision is provided by internationally renowned specialists. Our thriving group of over 60 doctoral students benefits from regular postgraduate seminars and workshops, day conferences, and interaction with frequent international visitors. Facilities are excellent and doctoral students have opportunities to undertake paid undergraduate teaching.

Research in the Sociology Department at University of Surrey has consistently been ranked in the top 6 Sociology Departments in the UK by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), recognising the excellence of our research and research environment. As a leading national centre for the advancement of social research methodology, we provide state of the art research methodology training through our MSc in Social Research Methods, Day Courses in Social Research, the CAQDAS networking project and CRESS (Centre for Research on Social Simulation). Doctoral students study in a friendly environment at the forefront of methodological developments.

Applicants for Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) studentships are expected to have an Upper Second or First Class undergraduate degree in a social science or related subject, or a Masters degree, or be able to demonstrate other relevant experience. European Union nationals are eligible for DTC studentships if they have been resident in the UK for the preceding 3 years. International and other EU nationals are only eligible for DTC studentships if their doctoral research involves Advanced Quantitative Methods. Applicants for whom English is not their mother tongue should have achieved an IELTS score of 7 or more.

Studentships (held as part of the South East Doctoral Training Centre) are available full-time for 3 years or 4 years, or part-time for 5 years:

3 year (+3) awards are for candidates who already have an ESRC recognised Masters degree or a similar level of research methods training or experience

4 year (1+3) awards are for students to undertake the MSc in Social Research Methods or the MSc Criminology, Criminal Justice and Social Research followed by a 3 year PhD

5 year (part-time) awards are for candidates who wish to combine doctoral training with employment or other commitments.

Proposals are encouraged in any of the areas in which the Department has expertise, including:

methodology (including development of quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods)

For more details, see research in the Sociology Department at University of Surrey.

DTC studentships are worth �13,590 per annum (2011-12) and do not attract income tax or national insurance. PhD students also have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to undertake some paid undergraduate teaching in the department. Applicants whose proposals have a strong quantitative focus and who wish to gain additional training in Advanced Quantitative Methods, which could include social simulation, will be considered for an additional annual stipend of �3,000.

Applicants are advised to contact the Department or potential supervisors to discuss their application in advance. For further information please contact Mary Wright, Postgraduate Research Administrator tel: 01483 689 453, or Prof. Sara Arber (Sociology Pathway Lead for the South East Consortium DTC, [log in to unmask]).

Applications should be returned by email (using the Sociology Department�s 'Doctoral Training Centre Studentship application form' ) to Mary Wright ([log in to unmask]) by Friday 11th March 2011. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview on Thursday 25th March 2011.