![Two people sitting on a sofa. Younger person is wearing a yellow top and jeans, holding an iPad for the older person and assisting them.](https://www.mmu.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_half/public/2022-03/Social%20Care%20and%20Social%20Work%20header%20image_1.jpg?h=2f78956b&itok=12ikgGN-)
Social Care and Social Work
Discover your research degree study options, including areas of expertise for our academic supervisors.
Why you should join us
Our research degrees will help you advance or change your career, deepen your expertise, and expand your research and practical skills.
Our research areas
Discover our areas of expertise and browse our experts. We encourage you to discuss your research ideas with us – even if your topic is not listed.
- Care (paid and informal) and parenting across the life course
- Community and wellbeing
- Critical professional practice
- Dementia
- Disability, especially learning disability and autism
- Marginalised communities
- Mental health
- Safeguarding of adults and children
- Sexual and gender-based violence and domestic violence
- Sexual and reproductive health, relationships and intimate lives
- Social aspects of ageing
- Social work education and practice
Qualifications you can study
You can do a research degree on campus or remotely through distance learning. Choose from one of these programmes:
- PhD Social Work and Social Care — three years full-time, six years part-time
- Masters by research — one year full-time, two years part-time
Find out about the research degrees we offer.
Start dates
Most of our students enrol in October. You can also join us in January and April.
Application information
Entry requirements
To apply, you’ll need a first or 2.1 honours degree, or an equivalent qualification.
International students must have strong English language skills.
We welcome applicants from non-standard backgrounds. We’ll take subject knowledge, personal and professional experience, publications, or other relevant achievements into consideration.
Find out more about our standard entry requirements.
Scholarships, fees and funding
Speak to us
Contact us
About this subject
For an initial discussion, contact Dr Caroline Leah, the research degrees co-ordinator for social care and social work at c.leah@mmu.ac.uk
General admissions
For further information on the application process, contact the admissions team at pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk