PhD in Sociology

The doctoral programme in Sociologytrains high-performance researchers in several areas of sociology and social sciences. Completing the doctoral thesis is the main activity of the doctoral student and it consists of an original work of research prepared by the candidate in a specific area of specialization. Each student has at least one thesis supervisor who guides and supports their work.

The doctoral programmes takes three years working full-time or five years working part-time. Below, there is a sample calendar for the research period:

A research plan is presented, written in any of the programme’s languages, which includes at least the provisional title, objectives, methodology and means and time planning (deadline: 30 April).

It should be noted that the University of Barcelona Doctoral Regulations establish as a requirement the inclusion of a data management plan and the ethical considerations derived from the research (deadline: 30 April).

The programmes’ Academic Committee of the programme sets the timetable, the contents, and the specific requirements to be included in the research plan and the documentation and procedures linked to the presentation. This information is available in the Virtual Campus of the programme, to which the PhD candidate has access once it formalizes the enrolment.

The first-year PhD candidates will have to submit jointly, according to the deadline (30 April), the application of the research plan, the research plan and the list of events to which he or she has participated/attended during the academic year.

Students need to submit the three documents (research plan, research plan administrative form, and record of activities) through the electronic portal of the University of Barcelona.

This research plan will be assessed by an Ad Hoc Monitoring Committee made up of three specialists in the field in question and, if it is to be favourable, the Academic Committee of the Programme will have to resolve the request for acceptance of the research plan before the academic year is completed. Adoption of the research plan is a prerequisite for continuing within the PhD programme.

The PhD candidates will have two years (four if part-time) to perform the proposed research and doctoral thesis. At the end of each academic year, the Monitoring Committee will evaluate the progress made in relation to the research plan from a memory of activities (deadline: 30 April).

It should be noted that the University of Barcelona Doctoral Regulations establish as a requirement the inclusion of a data management plan and the ethical considerations derived from the research (deadline: 30 April).

The Academic Committee of the programme sets the timetable, the contents, and the specific requirements to be included in the follow-up report and also the documentation and procedures linked to the presentation. This information is available on the program’s Virtual Campus, which the PhD candidate can access after enrollment.

Second-year and onward students need to submit the three documents (progress report, progress report administrative form, and record of activities) through the electronic portal of the University of Barcelona. 

The Academic Committee encourages students to undertake temporary stays at other universities or research centres throughout the programme. Doctors and students of the Doctoral Programme in Sociology have carried out research stays at universities such as Harvard University (USA), University of California Berkeley (USA), Stanford University (USA), MIT (USA), Columbia University (USA), Cambridge University (UK), University of Leeds (UK), Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal), University of Montreal (Canada), or Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium), among others.

In this section you can find the style book of the University of Barcelona (CUB) with criteria, recommendations and resources that can be useful for writing, especially, TFG, TFM and doctoral theses.

Link: https://www.ub.edu/cub/criteri.php?id=1512

The programme is aimed at students who wish to start a research career in the field of sociology. Therefore, it is essential that candidates have sufficient training to complete a doctoral thesis. The Academic Committee will particularly value previous knowledge on topics included in the research lines of the doctoral programme.

In order to access any University of Barcelona doctoral programme, it is necessary to have completed at least 300 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) in overall undergraduate and master’s degree studies, of which a minimum of 60 credits must correspond to an official research-oriented master’s programme.

Early-stage researchers, who want to start a research career in academia or in the professional field by furthering their understanding of sociological analysis of different problems and social realities. In this sense, the programme welcomes doctoral students with a broad educational background in the field of social sciences (e.g., in economics, anthropology, education, political science, social work) and a strong orientation towards sociological research.

Students come from universities all over the world. On average, 40% of students are nationals from other countries. In addition, among the programme’s students, there are holders of predoctoral contracts awarded by Spain, the autonomous communities or the university itself, as well as holders of research scholarships from foreign countries and of contracts through European research projects such as ERC and Horizon Europe.

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year have two periods:

First period | From January 13th to March 17th, 2025. Resolutions by April 29th, 2025.
Second period | From March 18th to April 30th, 2025. Resolutions by May 30th, 2025.

To apply for the PhD in Sociology at the University of Barcelona, a candidate must follow these steps:

Confirm that you meet the access and admission requirements to the doctoral programme in Sociology. (Section “Who should apply”)

Fill in the online application form (link to be activated when the application period opens) and upload supporting documents:

1. ID/Passport
2. Curriculum Vitae (including research experience, work experience, previous publications, scholarships or grants, attendance at conferences, stays abroad or other activities related to the doctoral programme).
3. Bachelor’s degree transcript of grades and diploma certificate
4. Master’s degree transcript of grades (provisional or final version) and diploma certificate (if you have it)
5. Research proposal. It should include: a description of your research interests and goals, the motivation and social impact of the research, and the time of dedication (full-time or part-time)
6. Master thesis
7. Proof of English level
8. Document of equivalence of the average mark of university studies taken abroad that must be requested through: Online Platform | Instructions in English.
9. Recommended: Pre-acceptance by a participating professor in the programme to supervise the thesis. (You can download here the pre-acceptance letter template). If you are unable to provide a pre-acceptance letter, please submit a justification document.

If you are unsure about who you’re your potential supervisor/s could be, we suggest you check the researchers section of this website: Researchers – UB School of Sociology and get in touch with researchers whose research aligns with your interests. It is highly advisable to establish this initial contact before applying for admission.

In order to provide us with your references, you must fill in this form (link to be activated when the application period opens), where you will be required to state the name and contact email of two scholars who support your application. They will receive an automated email with general questions about your profile. Only references received before the 7th day after the corresponding period application deadline will be considered.

Once you complete steps 1 to 3, your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will receive an email to let you know if everything is in order or if any additional documents or information are required.

Please, be aware that only complete applications will be assessed by the Academic Committee.

The academic resolution will be notified via email. In the event that the applicant is admitted to the programme, a process of administrative review prior to enrollment begins. Students with documentation issued outside of Spain will be required to pay the equivalence study fee (218.15€). It is highly recommended to inquire at the Master’s and Doctorate Office (OMD) of the Faculty of Economics and Business about the administrative requirements they will need to have prepared. Therefore, we recommend visiting their website, where you can access all the information regarding access and enrollment. More information will be sent to admitted applicants.