MPhil in Sociology (The Sociology of Media and Culture)

The Department of Sociology at the University of Cambridge is a world-class centre for teaching and research in Sociology. It has a proud tradition of research grounded in engagement with contemporary real-world issues.

Our Department is ranked first for Sociology in the Complete University Guide League Table 2025 with a 100% score, and second for Sociology in the Guardian's Best Universities league table 2025.

The Times Higher Education World University ranking 2025 rates our department second overall in the UK for the Social Sciences. The QS World University rankings list our department as sixth of 375 sociology departments across the world in 2025.  

The MPhil in Sociology of Media and Culture pathway provides students with the opportunity to study the nature and transformation of media, culture and technology at an advanced level. The programme gives students a firm grounding in the theoretical and empirical analysis of media, culture and technology, and enables them to study particular media, culture and technology in-depth, examining their transformations over time and their impact on other aspects of social and political life.

There are four elements to the pathway:

1. A core course of eight 2-3 hour sessions in the first term (Michaelmas) and a one-hour Field Review Essay preparation session in the second (Lent), covering some of the major theoretical contributions to the study of the media and culture and some key substantive topics. Part time students must attend these sessions in their first year of study but may wish to attend additional sessions in their second year. There are also substantive topics which vary from year to year depending on the availability of academic staff.
2. Students will receive training in the craft of sociology and in research skills, including sessions on: research ethics, turning a literature review into research questions, critical reading and academic writing, and Talking History. Students will also have the opportunity to take courses and attend lectures on many other aspects of research method 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). Part-time students can attend these sessions in either their first or second year of study.
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 media, culture and technology and their impact. The choice of dissertation topic is made in consultation with your Supervisor, who can advise you on the suitability and feasibility of your proposed research and on research design. A dissertation workshop provides the opportunity to present aspects of your dissertation work and to receive constructive feedback from academics and fellow students.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, students should have:

• an advanced understanding of current research on selected topics in the sociology of media, culture and technology
• an understanding of the basic principles of social research, the skills necessary to conduct independent research and practical experience in the use of research methods
• an ability to apply modern social theory 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 are encouraged to apply for the department's PhD programme, provided they achieve a high level of achievement in all parts of the course. 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.