MPhil in Sociology
The MPhil in Sociology is a one-year full time taught masters course. From October 2024 the MPhil is also available as a two-year part-time programme. The MPhil offers a world-class programme of postgraduate study. The course provides high-quality students, who already have a degree in a social science, with an in-depth knowledge of the key dimensions of sociology.
The overall aim of the Sociology MPhil is to provide you with an opportunity to study recent social change at an advanced level. It will enable you to combine your knowledge with an understanding of theory and research methods. This course will prepare you for research at doctoral level or its equivalent in other professional contexts.
MPhil Pathways
The MPhil is organised into three different pathways to allow you the opportunity to study selected sociological subjects in depth. You can find out more information about each track and making your application using the links below. The pathways are:
- Political and Economic Sociology
- Sociology of Marginality and Exclusion
- Sociology of Media and Culture
What’s in it for you?
The Department of Sociology at the University of Cambridge is ranked first for Sociology in the Guardian's Best Universities subject league table and first for Sociology in the Complete University Guide League Table 2025. And the QS World University rankings list our department as 2nd out of over 500 Sociology Departments across the world in 2024.
- The MPhil course offers you the opportunity to develop your analytic and writing abilities to your full potential
- By maintaining a close relationship between teaching and research you will receive an education which reflects developments in your chosen discipline
- You will develop your ability to use diverse sources of information with efficiency and speed appropriate to your particular level of study
- The course will help you develop analytical abilities and writing skills which will enable you to make a significant contribution to your chosen career.
On completion of the course you will have:
- An advanced understanding of current research in specific areas
- Independent research skills and experience of putting them into practice
- An ability to apply modern social theories to substantive research topics.
Part-time MPhil
The part-time MPhil course is 21 months in length. Part-time students take the core-course sessions in their pathway in the Michaelmas term of their first year and complete the Field Review Essay in Easter term of their first year, attend a dissertation workshop in the Lent term of their second year and submit their dissertation during Easter term in their second year.
- Part-time research students are expected to be in Cambridge for around 45 days per year, spread throughout the year, for lectures, supervision and other training.
- International students who require a student visa to study in the UK are expected to apply for the full-time programme. This is owing to the restrictions of a part-time student visa. The University will only sponsor a student visa for the part-time option if the reason for studying part-time is due to a disability. Further information is outlined on the International Students webpages.
MPhil in Health, Medicine and Society
The MPhil in Health, Medicine and Society is a full-time one year course run jointly by the Departments of History and Philosophy of Science, Sociology and Social Anthropology.
It introduces students from a range of backgrounds to research skills and specialist knowledge relevant to their research interests, and provides them with the opportunity to carry out focused research under close supervision by senior members of the University. Students will develop a critical and well-informed understanding of discourses of history, philosophy, sociology and anthropology of health and medicine, and those intending to go on to doctoral work will learn the skills needed to help them prepare a well-planned and focused PhD proposal.
This course is administered by the Department of History and Philosophy of Science. For more information, and to apply for this course, visit the Postgraduate Admissions website.