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Social Work PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
We have 54 Social Work PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
PhDs in Social Work are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore a particular aspect of social work practice, policy, or theory.
Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into the complexities of social justice, the effectiveness of social policies, and the impact of social work practices on diverse populations.
Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Social Work, Sociology, or Psychology. A relevant Masters degree may also be required depending on the programme.
Why study a PhD in Social Work?
Develop Skills and Knowledge
A PhD in Social Work allows you to not only develop your own knowledge of social work, but also to make a unique, original contribution to the subject as a whole. By doing so, you will hone a variety of transferable skills, such as:
- Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to design, conduct, and analyse complex research projects.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Expertise in evaluating social work theories and practices to address challenges.
- Communication and Presentation Skills: Proficiency in effectively conveying ideas and findings to diverse audiences.
Further Career Development
If you're hoping for a career in academia, a PhD is typically required. Other research-based careers may likewise require a PhD, and even when they don't, employers will value the research skills and knowledge developed during your degree. For more information, please visit our PhD employability guide.
After completing your PhD in Social Work, a potential career option might be employment as an Academic Researcher. According to UK salary data from Glassdoor, an Academic Researcher earns an average of £33,747 per year, dependent on factors such as experience, employer and employment location.
Improve Employability
Completing a PhD may also improve your employability. According to the UK government's LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes survey, 83% of Sociology PhD students were in further education or employment three years after graduation.
What do prospective Sociology PhD students think about study?
We host the Pulse postgraduate survey to understand the motivations, concerns and expectations of students just like you. For prospective Sociology PhD students in 2023:
- 71% were either positive or very positive about employment after graduation.
- 64% preferred on campus learning, 12% preferred online/distance learning, and 24% preferred a blended approach.
- 21% were interested in part-time study.
- In order of popularity, the top three study motivations were:
- Subject interest
- Challenge
- Skills development
If you'd like to make your voice heard, why not complete our survey? Your feedback will help us ensure our site is as helpful as possible for students like you!
Note: This guidance was produced with the assistance of AI. However, all data is derived from reliable, authoratitive sources, and all content has been reviewed by humans.
Learning Democracy for Fun
The University of Manchester
Faculty of Humanities Doctoral Academy, School of Environment, Education and Development
In a context of disenfranchisement, Education for Democratic Citizenship (EDC) is crucial so children and young people can better learn democracy (Sant, 2019). Read more
Making aid work for displaced women: Integrating Islamic philanthropy and the international humanitarian system to improve outcomes for women
The University of Birmingham invites applicants for a PhD studentship attached to the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project “Making Aid Work for Displaced Women. Read more
Humanitarian Careers? Reputation and Moral Labour in International Humanitarian Medical NGOs
The University of Manchester
Faculty of Humanities Doctoral Academy, School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
This case studentship revisits the work of Dauvin and Simeant (2002) on the sociology of labour at Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) to identify the motivations, career paths and work conditions of staff in now vastly expanded and internationalised medical humanitarian organisations. Read more
LSE ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership Collaborative Studentship
The LSE ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership is pleased to offer the following Collaborative Studentship, commencing in September 2025. Read more
Scalable Virtual Power Plants: Supporting community energy systems in Nottinghamshire through innovation
About the project: . Nottinghamshire, like many regions in the UK, is facing growing challenges with rising energy costs, fuel poverty, and a reliance on external energy providers. Read more
Comfort, control and safety: Developing a decarbonisation strategy for public CLASP buildings in Nottinghamshire
About the project. Nottinghamshire County Council (NottsCC) recently launched its 2024 Net Zero Framework, which sets out how the council will become net zero by 2030. Read more
Looking to achieve social impact through your research? Full PhD scholarships available at the University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is once again offering Innovation and Social Impact scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. This prestigious scheme is aimed at researchers who want to make a difference in the world and achieve social impact from their research. Read more
Communication and Social Change (CSC) Hub Studentship
The CSC hub at Loughborough University London promotes participation, storytelling, voice, activism, and citizen empowerment through dialogic, decolonising, and inclusive communication. Read more
Postgraduate Research Opportunities in Law
About the School of Law. The School of Law fosters and promotes research in all major fields of legal study. Our research explores contemporary issues across the fields of law and criminal justice, informing policy and practice on a national and international level. Read more
Postgraduate Research Opportunities in Sociology and Social Policy
About the School of Sociology and Social Policy. In the School of Sociology and Social Policy we are passionate about research that makes a difference in society on a local, national and global level. Read more
A Culture of Understaffing? Practical, personal and interpersonal consequences of long-term shortages in the UK ultrasound workforce
Building on extant research, this project would explore the nuanced (and often latent) ways in which a long-term shortage of sonographers in the UK has impacted upon persons, relationships, workplace culture and professional practice within the medical imaging workforce. Read more
Last chance to apply
Rupture and resilience in post-pandemic education: rebuilding and reframing positive experiences of learning through the home education of neurodivergent children
The Leverhulme PhD Programme for Interdisciplinary Resilience Studies is administered by the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences. Read more
Last chance to apply
Composing Resilience: The Role of Music in Post-Disaster Recovery and Community Resilience in the UK
The Leverhulme PhD Programme for Interdisciplinary Resilience Studies is administered by the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences. Read more
School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Sciences PhDs
Our research programmes offer you specialist knowledge in your chosen area of social science and an advanced level of skills. Working professionals may also be interested in the programmes we offer via our distance learning online courses. . Read more
GEMS Topic: Cultural Influences on Grief of Women from Collectivistic Cultures Facing Recurrent Miscarriages in Malaysia and Australia
This study examines how cultural context influences grief in women from collectivistic cultures after recurrent miscarriages, comparing those in Malaysia with those who migrated to Australia. Read more