Location
Streatham Campus, Exeter
Our research combines empirical investigation with theoretical rigour across three intersecting themes:
- philosophy of science and social science
- culture, science and technology
- and cultural sociology.
Our work is published by Cambridge, Oxford, MIT and California University Presses, Routledge, Sage and other leading publishers. Since 2001, the department has attracted research grants totalling £4m and published or edited 34 books and over 200 articles.
We run two lively seminar series, one covering the full range of departmental interests, the other specific to Egenis. We host various conferences and research students are encouraged, sometimes with financial assistance, to attend conferences and to publish their work. We have a good record securing funding for research, both from AHRC and ESRC.
What is an MPhil or PhD?
Both MPhil and PhD research degrees involve an extensive investigation of a particular topic.
MPhil research takes a maximum of three years to complete full-time, or five years part-time, and is assessed by the submission of a dissertation of up to 60,000 words. The PhD takes a maximum of four years full-time and seven years part-time and the results of your research will normally be assessed by a written thesis of up to 100,000 words and oral examination. The PhD is only awarded when the results of your investigation make an original contribution to knowledge in the field.
A PhD is the highest qualification that a university can award and offers a challenging and exciting opportunity to work at the cutting-edge of research: if you have these qualities Exeter can offer a very supportive environment in which to pursue research.
Advice for PhD applicants
Our online learning resource 'Considering a UK PhD?' provides lots of helpful advice and information from staff and students about the PhD experience at Exeter.
You may wish to read our general advice for PhD applicants webpages, which give tips on how to put together a successful research degree application.
Applicants for research programmes are also advised to visit the College's webpages to check for specific advice (see further information link). Here you will be able to find out about staff research interests and make preliminary enquiries about supervision. We advise that you do this before applying.
Distance-based PhD
It may be possible to study for a PhD or MPhil with only occasional visits to the University. Distance-based students undertake the majority of their research at an off campus location of their choosing. This may mean they visit the campus at just a few keys times during their studies and for no more than four months per year. If you think you may be interested in a distance-based MPhil/PhD, please read the guidance and further information before applying.
