This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Sociology at Oxford? Master's at Oxford then PhD at Cambridge?

Hi, I'm wondering how good is the sociology department at Oxford. It's quite huge and on the Times ranking under Sociology Oxford is not on the list.

And how easy is it apply for a PhD in Cambridge if you have a master's from Oxford? Is there going to be issues (I don't know.. school rivalry?)

Thanks!

Reply 1

Alan Smithee

Kaori

Hi, I'm wondering how good is the sociology department at Oxford. It's quite huge and on the Times ranking under Sociology Oxford is not on the list.

The reason for this is, because Oxford doesn't have Sociology at undergraduate level.

And how easy is it apply for a PhD in Cambridge if you have a master's from Oxford? Is there going to be issues (I don't know.. school rivalry?)

It's very easy, to apply.

Reply 2

ChemistBoy

16

Getting a sociology degree from Oxford may prove slightly difficult!

As for crossing over from Oxford to Cambridge - I don't see any problem there at all.

Reply 3

Kaori

OP

Why is it difficult to apply for sociology in Oxford?
Interesting that they do not have an undergraduate program in sociology (perhaps this explains the huge size of their sociology department).

But anyway, which school has the better sociology program?

Reply 4

username36063

11

By the way whilst we are on the subject, Cambridge doesnt do sociology either at undergrad. They do a BA in Social and political Science though.

Reply 5

bikerx23

1

Kaori

Why is it difficult to apply for sociology in Oxford?

Because they dont offer it.

But anyway, which school has the better sociology program?

If you're talking about postgraduate programs, they cannot be compared because it depends on who you end up working with and what specific area of the subject, since you do not have the same postgraduate structure as in the US.

Reply 6

ChemistBoy

16

Kaori

Why is it difficult to apply for sociology in Oxford?
Interesting that they do not have an undergraduate program in sociology (perhaps this explains the huge size of their sociology department).

Sorry, I was talking about the undergrad programmes!

But anyway, which school has the better sociology program?

Answers on a postcard please. Are we talking taught or research programmes?

Reply 7

Kaori

OP

research programme

Reply 8

bikerx23

1

Kaori

research programme

then you cant really ask - you dont have a lecture program on research in the UK, and how good it is will vary with the region of the topic, hence it depends on the person who supervises your project.

Reply 9

ChemistBoy

16

bikerx23

then you cant really ask - you dont have a lecture program on research in the UK, and how good it is will vary with the region of the topic, hence it depends on the person who supervises your project.

Aside from the RAE which is out of date and has both universities with a 5 so pretty good but not the best.

May I politely ask the OP why they want to study sociology at Oxford and Cambridge? Or are you just checking them out in the grand scheme of things?

Usually for a PhD you would have a pretty clear idea of what area you want to go into and who are the leading lights in that area and they are not neccessarily at Oxford or Cambridge.

Reply 10

Alan Smithee

ChemistBoy

Aside from the RAE which is out of date and has both universities with a 5 so pretty good but not the best.

May I politely ask the OP why they want to study sociology at Oxford and Cambridge? Or are you just checking them out in the grand scheme of things?

Usually for a PhD you would have a pretty clear idea of what area you want to go into and who are the leading lights in that area and they are not neccessarily at Oxford or Cambridge.

What's the best in the RAE ratings, 5*?

Reply 11

ChemistBoy

16

Platocrates

What's the best in the RAE ratings, 5*?

Yes, although these things are a little bit subjective.

Naturally.

ChemistBoy

Yes, although these things are a little bit subjective.

Less so with science though, since a lot of that is related to facilities - like what machines/computers.etc., and how much funding is available.

But, yes - a massive part of the quality of a research project is because of the tutor you're working with.

Reply 14

ChemistBoy

16

bikerx23

Less so with science though, since a lot of that is related to facilities - like what machines/computers.etc., and how much funding is available.

But, yes - a massive part of the quality of a research project is because of the tutor you're working with.

A group of the great and the good get together and assess what is good and not so good research mostly by publication records and funding incomes, facilities do play a part, but it isn't that major - there are obvious flaws in that even with the guidelines that the RAE has. The whole thing is going to crash and burn now thanks to the super departments in Scotland and the University of Manchester

Sociology at Oxford? Master's at Oxford then PhD at Cambridge?

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you