PhD Social Work

Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

Shortlist

36 monthsProgram duration

20,500 GBPTuition Fee/year

YesScholarships

Social WorkMain Subject Area

Program overview

Main Subject

Social Work

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

You’ll be a social scientist committed to ways of working, through multidisciplinary research, that build knowledge and capacities in the communities around us and have a positive impact on human wellbeing. You’ll care about young people and families, conflict and social change, social inequality, disability, ageing and health, criminal justice, drugs and alcohol, trauma, violence and abuse and the effect these have on society.
Staff in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work publish world-class research which has local and global impact. Our funders and partners include the research councils, government departments, the EU, Council of Europe and the large foundations. School research is informing thinking and the development of policies in many areas including the well-being of children, social cohesion and mental health. Key interdisciplinary research themes in the School include:
HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND INCLUSION Research under this theme focuses on the health and well-being of children, young people and adults in schools, the community and in institutions such as prisons. Our research relates to issues as diverse as substance abuse, socio-economic inequality, disability and inclusion, social emotions and the formation of identity, as well as undertaking evaluations of interventions programmes designed to improve health and well-being outcomes, and the inclusion of people marginalised by inequality and injustice.
CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES: POLICY AND PRACTICE Research under this theme explores the development of children and adolescents into young adulthood in their full social and structural contexts. A particular focus of our work in this area is improving social policies and social work interventions into the lives of families and young people. This multi-disciplinary research draws on a range of theoretical and methodological traditions with an overarching social justice ethos.
CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE Research under this theme explores the antecedents of offending behaviours across the life course with an emphasis on the impact of traumatic life events and structural inequalities. The research also seeks to better understand the behaviours of criminal justice and other systems for their role in controlling or exacerbating this offending. The overarching social justice perspective that characterises this work situates these questions in the wider socio-political contexts in which they occur.
PEACE IN SOCIETIES Research under this theme seeks to understand the sources, manifestations and impact of ethno-religious, national and social divisions in divided and transitioning societies, and the nature and effectiveness of efforts to build peace. Our particular interests relate to underpinning theories of conflict, the role of religion in divided societies, the impact of growing up in a divided society, the role of education and schools in promoting more positive intergroup relations in deeply divided societies, shared education, and issues relating to identity, culture and inclusion.
EDUCATION: ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVING OUTCOMES Research under this theme focuses on education in schools, further and higher education, and on how to improve educational opportunities and outcomes. Our research encompasses issues relating to curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, inclusion and identity, and includes, for example, the effectiveness of literacy and numeracy programmes; peer tutoring and cooperative learning; teacher education; the nature of identity and authorship in higher education; teaching English to speakers of other languages and applied linguistics; digital literacy studies; children’s rights; and Applied Behaviour Analysis. As in other strands, the research is informed by diverse and innovative research methodologies and methods such as random control trials, interventions and programme evaluations, participatory action research, writing practices and knowledge production, and systematic reviews.

Program overview

Main Subject

Social Work

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

Bachelor GPA

3.2+

IELTS

6.5+

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work.

Program Duration

3 Years

Starting Month(s)

Sep

Tuition fee and scholarships

Tuition Fee
Scholarships

Domestic Students

Tuition Fee/year

4,596 GBP

Tuition Fee (Out of State)

International Students

Tuition Fee/year

20,500 GBP

Other Expenses

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

A list of available scholarships around the world

A scholarship application checklist

Download Scholarship Guide

More programs from the university

Queen’s University Belfast offers 346 undergraduate courses – including but not limited to:

Business and management
Accounting
Drama and film studies
Irish and social anthropology
Medicine & Dentistry
And many more…

How to apply:

To apply for a course at Queen’s University Belfast, you will need to do so through UCAS – the centralized system for applying for undergraduate degrees in the UK. You will be able to apply to up to five courses at a time, providing a personal statement and ensuring that you have met each university’s entry requirements. Note that entry requirements are likely to be different for each course, even within the same university. Once you have secured a place to study and have obtained a firm start date, you may need to apply for a student visa, depending on your nationality.

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BA Archaeology and Irish

BA Archaeology with French

BA Archaeology with Portuguese

BA Archaeology with Spanish

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Business and Management (6)

BSc Accounting (Major) with French

BSc Accounting (Major) with Spanish

BSc Actuarial Science and Risk Management

BSc Business Economics

BSc Business Information Technology Include Professional Experience

BSc Business Management with Placement

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Engineering and Technology (6)

BEng Aerospace Engineering

BEng Aerospace Engineering Sandwich

BEng Chemical Engineering

BEng Chemical Engineering with a Year in Industry

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Life Sciences and Medicine (6)

BDS Dentistry

BSc Agricultural Technology

BSc Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies

BSc Biochemistry

BSc Biochemistry with Professional Studies

BSc Biological Sciences

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Natural Sciences (6)

BA Geography

BSc Applied Mathematics and Physics

BSc Chemistry

BSc Chemistry with a Year in Industry

BSc Environmental Management

BSc Environmental Management with Professional Studies

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Social Sciences and Management (6)

BA Anthropology

BA Anthropology and Archaeology

BA Anthropology and English

BA Anthropology and French

BA Anthropology and History

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Queen’s University Belfast currently runs a total of 138 postgraduate programs, covering subjects such as:

Arts management
Children’s rights
Economics
Computational finance and trading
Educational leadership
Public Health
And many more…

How to apply:

To apply for a postgraduate course at Queen’s University Belfast, you will need to submit an online application through the Postgraduate Direct Applications Portal. Note that while there is no deadline for postgraduate applications, with the exception of a few courses listed here, early application is advisable – especially for international students who need a visa.