Sociology (PhD)
Learn advanced techniques in qualitative and quantitative methods. You’ll pursue coursework and candidacy examinations to supplement your independent research. Your expertise in sociology will help you research and create a dissertation that will add significantly to a field of sociology.
Our research strengths include:
- ecology, global issues and social movements
- gender, racialization and ethnicity
- sociology of crime and law
- health, aging and society
You have the option of combining this program with the interdisciplinary Cultural, Social and Political Thought PhD.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 4-5 years (12-15 academic terms) | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
Graduates with a PhD in sociology will be able to:
- use sociological approaches to analyze social issues and intellectual debates
- demonstrate advanced expertise in at least one of the department’s four main areas of research
- think creatively and understand the process of creating theoretical concepts and theories
- demonstrate competency in advanced qualitative and quantitative methods
- design and implement theory-guided and methodologically sound research that makes an original contribution to knowledge
- communicate research effectively to academic and general audiences
- participate in various professional activities and develop skills in independent teaching
Find a supervisor
All graduate students in this program are assigned a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- You should list one or more potential supervisors on your application
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, you are encouraged to contact that person to explore common interests before applying.
Anelyse Weiler
Assistant Professor Labour movements, environmental justice, immigration, rural studies, food security, and health equity
Athena Madan
Assistant Professor Global health, health equity, humanitarian intervention, therapeutic governance and reconciliation, decoloniality
Bruce Ravelli
Teaching Professor Community-engaged learning, social inequality, instructional design
Eugene Emeka Dim
Assistant Professor Criminology, Political Sociology, Gender, Quantitative Methods, Intimate Partner Violence, Gender and Political Participation, Criminality and Political Behaviour
Garry Gray
Associate Professor, Graduate Advisor Criminology, public health, ethics, institutions, socio-legal studies
Katelin Albert
Assistant Professor Health and medicine, vaccines, health technology, science and technology studies, genders and sexualities, sexual health, social theory and feminist theory, sociology of knowledge
Midori Ogasawara
Assistant Professor Surveillance, technology, identification, biometrics, colonialism, data justice
Min Zhou
Professor International sociology, global change, quantitative methods, East Asian societies
Peyman Vahabzadeh
Professor, Undergraduate Advisor Human action and social movements, social theory, phenomenology, postcolonial studies, violence and nonviolence
Tamara Humphrey
Associate Professor Criminology, development and life-course theories of crime, criminal justice system, quantitative methods, domestic violence, bullying, gender and crime
William Carroll
Professor Corporate capitalism, climate crisis, social movements and social change
Program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Program details
Application deadlines
September entry – apply by January 15
If you don’t need funding, you have until May 31 to apply.
September entry – apply by January 15
If you don’t need funding, you have until May 31 to apply.
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
You must have a master’s degree in sociology or a related social sciences discipline.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to undertake sociological analysis (e.g. a copy of your master’s thesis; or an assignment from a graduate-level class)
- a letter of intent (1-2 pages in length) – a short essay which clearly states your research interests with references to relevant academic literature; which faculty member you would like to work with as a potential supervisor, and if you have contacted them; and why you are a good candidate for admission to the PhD program
- names and email addresses of two references
- post-secondary transcripts
Program specific requirements
You must have a master’s degree in sociology or a related social sciences discipline.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to undertake sociological analysis (e.g. a copy of your master’s thesis; or an assignment from a graduate-level class)
- a letter of intent (1-2 pages in length) – a short essay which clearly states your research interests with references to relevant academic literature; which faculty member you would like to work with as a potential supervisor, and if you have contacted them; and why you are a good candidate for admission to the PhD program
- names and email addresses of two references
- post-secondary transcripts
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Aileen Chong at socigradsec@uvic.ca or 250-721-7572.