Warwick's particular strengths lie in the areas of social theory and philosophy, social and political thought, labour studies, sociology of gender, political economy and political sociology and the sociologies of race and racism, migration, education, health and medicine, crime and deviance, religion and social movements, and in research methodology. These specialisms are by no means exclusive, and many members of the Department have research and teaching interests which touch on more than one area. The Department welcomes applications from students interested in working in any of its specialist fields, although supervision may also be available in other areas of sociology. The Sociology Graduate School has about 120 registered graduate students, of whom about two thirds are research students, and one third are following taught modules. Warwick offers exceptional opportunities for part-time students, who can extend their studies over a number of years, if this is more convenient for them.
Some modules are available in the evenings.
It is the policy of the Department to support eligible candidates for Research Council Awards. However, it is important that such applications are received in the Department at least two months prior to the closing date. The Sociology Department has wide-ranging contacts and collaborative relationships with University departments in other countries, including many in Europe, North America, South Africa, Russia and Eastern Europe and Asia. Nationally and locally, collaborative research relationships exist between the Department and a range of organisations such as industries, schools and higher education, health service organizations, trades unions and local government. Research Degrees Candidates are invited to apply to do research leading to the degrees of PhD and MPhil.