MPhil in Sociology (Political and Economic Sociology)

Our Department is ranked first for Sociology in the Guardian's Best Universities league table and first for Sociology in the Complete University Guide League Table 2024.

The Times Higher Education World University ranking 2024 rates our department second overall in the UK for the Social Sciences. The QS World University rankings list our department as second of 521 sociology departments across the world in 2023.  

This pathway provides students with the opportunity to study the major themes and debates of Political and Economic Sociology at an advanced level. This pathway aims to integrate the consideration of political and economic debates with the study of substantive topics, as well as give a thorough grounding in research methods. There are four elements to the pathway:

1. A core course of eight 2-3-hour sessions in the first term (Michaelmas) and two one-hour sessions in the second (Lent), (Michaelmas and Lent of the first year for part-time students),  covering some of the major theoretical contributions to the study of Political and Economic Sociology and some key substantive topics. Both core and optional topics vary from year to year, depending on staff availability.  
2. Students will receive training in research methods, including sessions on research design, data collection and analysis in relation to quantitative and qualitative methods, developing ethically orientated research, turning a literature review into research questions and Talking History. Students will also have the opportunity to take courses and attend lectures on many other aspects of research methods and design. They will then select these courses in discussion with their Supervisor.   
3. Eight to ten hours of optional seminars during the second term (Lent) (first or second year for part-time students).
4. Dissertation: all students will write a dissertation on a topic of their choice that allows for theoretically informed empirical analysis of some aspect of political and economic sociology. The choice of dissertation topic is made in consultation with the student's Supervisor, who can advise them on the suitability and feasibility of the proposed research and on research design. A dissertation workshop provides the opportunity to present aspects of the student's dissertation work and to receive constructive feedback from course teachers and fellow students.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, students should have:

• an advanced understanding of current sociological research on selected topics
• an understanding of the basic principles of social research
• the skills necessary to conduct independent social research and practical experience in the use of research methods
• an ability to apply and develop key concepts and theories with respect to empirical topics
• a deeper understanding of their chosen specialist area, including command of the literature and current research
• the ability to situate their own research within current developments in the field

Continuing

Students from a wide range of backgrounds attend the course, which is designed to enable the application of more specialist knowledge of political and economic sociology in a variety of fields, including government, social policy, law, journalism, the third sector, and academia.

MPhil students who want to apply for the PhD would normally need to have a final mark of at least 70% overall and 70% on the dissertation. Please note that successful completion of the MPhil does not guarantee acceptance into the PhD programme.

Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

• Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.

Details of Open Day events run by the Sociology Department can be found on the Department's Outreach Page.