Top 150 Universities Worldwide Offering PhD Programs in Sociology

Here’s an introduction to the top universities and colleges around the world where one can pursue a PhD in Sociology, detailing their program offerings, notable faculty, and distinctive features.

1. Harvard University (USA)
   • Program Overview: Harvard’s Department of Sociology is renowned for its rigorous theoretical and empirical study in sociological issues. The PhD program emphasizes comprehensive training in sociological theories and methodologies.
   • Notable Faculty: Michèle Lamont, Matthew Desmond, and Bruce Western.
   • Unique Features: Students benefit from resources like the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and extensive interdisciplinary collaboration.
2. University of Oxford (UK)
   • Program Overview: The DPhil in Sociology at Oxford offers specialization in areas like social inequality, demography, and political sociology. It focuses heavily on quantitative methods.
   • Notable Faculty: Federico Varese, Melinda Mills, and Craig R. Cohen.
   • Unique Features: Oxford’s sociology department is known for its research centers, including the Centre for Time Use Research and the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion.
3. Stanford University (USA)
   • Program Overview: Stanford’s Sociology PhD program encourages the use of software and data analysis tools in research, with strong emphasis on empirical research.
   • Notable Faculty: Michele Lamont, David Grusky, and Robb Willer.
   • Unique Features: The program offers joint degrees in sociology and computer science, and a hands-on research experience with Silicon Valley.
4. University of Cambridge (UK)
   • Program Overview: The PhD in Sociology at Cambridge allows students to conduct pioneering research in areas such as gender studies, global social change, and media and culture.
   • Notable Faculty: Bryan S. Turner and Jochen Clasen.
   • Unique Features: The university boasts specialized research groups in areas like public health and social inequality.
5. University of Chicago (USA)
   • Program Overview: Chicago’s sociology department is one of the oldest in the US and is known for developing the Chicago School of Sociology. The PhD program emphasizes substantial methodological and theoretical contributions to the field.
   • Notable Faculty: Elisabeth S. Clemens and Omar McRoberts.
   • Unique Features: Students are encouraged to engage with interdisciplinary research centers like the Urban Network.
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
   • Program Overview: MIT’s sociology program is integrated within the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, offering a unique approach that combines sociology with urban planning.
   • Notable Faculty: Ezra Zuckerman Sivan and Christine J. Walley.
   • Unique Features: The program is notable for its focus on technology’s role in societal developments and data-driven sociological research.
7. University of California, Berkeley (USA)
   • Program Overview: UC Berkeley’s PhD program in Sociology is famed for its critical studies and substantial academic rigor. It includes pathways like comparative sociology and the sociology of technology.
   • Notable Faculty: Kim Voss and Raka Ray.
   • Unique Features: The department frequently collaborates with other disciplines, offering broad exposure to different fields.
8. London School of Economics and Political Science (UK)
   • Program Overview: LSE’s Sociology program offers a global perspective on sociological issues, emphasizing policy-oriented research that influences both academia and governance.
   • Notable Faculty: Nigel Dodd and Mike Savage.
   • Unique Features: The school hosts the British Journal of Sociology, one of the leading sociological journals globally.
9. Yale University (USA)
   • Program Overview: Yale’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program focused on areas like social control, social movements, and labor markets.
   • Notable Faculty: Julia Adams and Jeffrey Alexander.
   • Unique Features: Yale provides extensive resources like the Center for Comparative Research and the Center for Cultural Sociology.
10. University of Tokyo (Japan)
    • Program Overview: The University of Tokyo offers a unique perspective on sociology, particularly in Asian contexts, with a strong focus on empirical research and social theory.
    • Notable Faculty: Yoshimichi Sato and Takehiko Kariya.
    • Unique Features: It provides a unique insight into the social dynamics of Asia, with a strong emphasis on Japan.

11. Columbia University (USA)

• Program Overview: Columbia’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program that emphasizes the development of methodological rigor and theoretical clarity, covering topics from urban sociology to political sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Shamus Khan and Vanessa Diaz.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from its New York City location, which serves as a rich urban laboratory for sociological research.

12. University of California, Los Angeles (USA)

• Program Overview: UCLA’s Sociology PhD program is known for its strength in areas such as race, ethnicity, and immigration, as well as global and transnational sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Darnell Hunt and Stefan Timmermans.
• Unique Features: The program offers unique interdisciplinary opportunities with other departments such as Asian American Studies and Gender Studies.

13. University of Toronto (Canada)

• Program Overview: The University of Toronto offers a comprehensive PhD program in Sociology with a strong emphasis on quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Notable Faculty: Monica Boyd and Patricia Landolt.
• Unique Features: The program is distinguished by its strong emphasis on social inequality and its multidisciplinary approach to research and education.

14. Australian National University (Australia)

• Program Overview: ANU’s School of Sociology offers a PhD program that focuses on sociology of the environment, health, governance, and public policy.
• Notable Faculty: Kathryn Henne and Helen Keane.
• Unique Features: The program stands out for its research on sociological aspects of environmental change and policy.

15. University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)

• Program Overview: The University of Amsterdam’s Sociology PhD program is robust, with specializations in urban studies, sociology of families, and social change.
• Notable Faculty: Giselinde Kuipers and Jan Willem Duyvendak.
• Unique Features: Known for its critical approach to sociological issues and its engagement with European societal challenges.

16. National University of Singapore (Singapore)

• Program Overview: NUS offers a globally oriented PhD in Sociology, focusing on Asian societies and comparative sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Vineeta Sinha and Chua Beng Huat.
• Unique Features: The program provides an excellent platform for understanding the social dynamics in Asia, with a strong emphasis on fieldwork and empirical research.

17. University of Michigan (USA)

• Program Overview: The PhD program at Michigan is known for its strong analytical and research methodology, covering a wide range of topics including social stratification and health and aging.
• Notable Faculty: Alford Young, Jr. and Elizabeth Armstrong.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from the Institute for Social Research, one of the world’s leading centers for the advancement of social science research.

18. University of Edinburgh (Scotland)

• Program Overview: The University of Edinburgh offers a PhD in Sociology with strengths in digital sociology, social network analysis, and the sociology of science.
• Notable Faculty: Donald MacKenzie and Lynn Jamieson.
• Unique Features: The program is well-regarded for its research output and the critical approach to contemporary social issues.

19. McGill University (Canada)

• Program Overview: McGill’s PhD program in Sociology places a strong emphasis on sociological theory and research methodologies with a focus on social inequality, gender studies, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Shelley Clark and Amélie Quesnel-Vallée.
• Unique Features: It offers a bilingual (English and French) research environment, providing a unique cultural perspective in sociological studies.

20. University of Cape Town (South Africa)
    • Program Overview: UCT’s Sociology Department offers a PhD program that includes specializations in African sociology, social change, and urban studies.
    • Notable Faculty: Jeremy Seekings and Nicoli Nattrass.
    • Unique Features: The program is distinguished by its focus on African social issues and its commitment to developing sociology within an African context.

21. Princeton University (USA)

• Program Overview: Princeton’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program known for its focus on social demography, sociology of culture, and political sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Paul Starr and Patricia Fernandez-Kelly.
• Unique Features: The program is renowned for its small, research-intensive environment that fosters close mentorship and collaboration.

22. University of California, San Diego (USA)

• Program Overview: UCSD’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in the sociology of science, medicine, and technology, as well as inequality and social control.
• Notable Faculty: John Evans and Amy Binder.
• Unique Features: The department benefits from collaborations with the Science Studies Program and the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies.

23. University of Manchester (UK)

• Program Overview: The University of Manchester offers a robust PhD program in Sociology, focusing on areas such as social statistics, health sociology, and media.
• Notable Faculty: Tarani Chandola and Bridget Byrne.
• Unique Features: The program is particularly strong in applied social research, providing students with opportunities to engage with real-world issues.

24. University of Chicago (USA)

• Program Overview: Renowned for its contributions to sociological theory, the University of Chicago offers a comprehensive PhD program that covers a broad range of topics from urban sociology to the sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty: Elisabeth Clemens and Omar McRoberts.
• Unique Features: The program encourages innovative, interdisciplinary research, often integrating methodologies from history, anthropology, and psychology.

25. Leiden University (Netherlands)

• Program Overview: Leiden’s PhD program in Sociology is known for its focus on comparative sociology, social resilience, and globalization.
• Notable Faculty: Marcel Lubbers and Marianne van Bochove.
• Unique Features: The program offers a unique emphasis on global challenges and the societal impacts of historical and contemporary movements.

26. University of Sydney (Australia)

• Program Overview: The University of Sydney offers a PhD in Sociology with strong emphasis on health, environment, and Asian social transformations.
• Notable Faculty: Alex Broom and Salvatore Babones.
• Unique Features: Its location provides a strategic advantage for studying Asia-Pacific societal trends and issues.

27. University of British Columbia (Canada)

• Program Overview: UBC’s PhD in Sociology focuses on racial and ethnic inequality, environmental sociology, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty: Amin Ghaziani and Renisa Mawani.
• Unique Features: The department offers a rich interdisciplinary environment with close ties to the school’s public policy and global studies programs.

28. University of California, Santa Barbara (USA)

• Program Overview: UCSB offers a dynamic PhD program in Sociology, noted for its strength in the sociology of gender, sexuality, and feminist theory.
• Notable Faculty: Verta Taylor and Kum-Kum Bhavnani.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from its proximity to various interdisciplinary research centers, including the Center for Black Studies Research.

29. University of Paris (France)

• Program Overview: The University of Paris provides a comprehensive PhD program in Sociology with strengths in social theory, sociology of labor, and European social policy.
• Notable Faculty: Laurent Lesnard and Monique Pinçon-Charlot.
• Unique Features: The program is characterized by its deep theoretical engagement and its emphasis on European societal issues.

30. University of Melbourne (Australia)

• Program Overview: The University of Melbourne’s PhD program in Sociology excels in the study of digital societies, migration, and urban planning.
• Notable Faculty: Nikos Papastergiadis and Sarah Pink.
• Unique Features: The program encourages interdisciplinary research and has strong ties with the university’s architecture, urban planning, and media studies departments.

31. New York University (USA)

• Program Overview: NYU’s Sociology PhD program is celebrated for its research on inequality, urban sociology, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty: Patrick Sharkey and Eric Klinenberg.
• Unique Features: The department offers excellent opportunities for field research in one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments.

32. University of Oslo (Norway)

• Program Overview: The PhD program at the University of Oslo focuses on sociological theory, welfare studies, and migration.
• Notable Faculty: Katrine Fangen and Grete Brochmann.
• Unique Features: Its Nordic location provides a unique perspective on welfare and social policies that are model standards globally.

33. Cornell University (USA)

• Program Overview: Cornell’s Sociology PhD program specializes in social inequality, demography, and labor relations.
• Notable Faculty: Kim Weeden and Victor Nee.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from its association with the Cornell Population Center and the ILR School, enriching its labor and demographic research.

34. University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

• Program Overview: The University of Hong Kong offers a PhD in Sociology with an emphasis on Asian and comparative sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Pun Ngai and Maggy Lee.
• Unique Features: The program’s location makes it a strategic site for studying social transformations in Greater China and Asia.

35. University of Zurich (Switzerland)

• Program Overview: The University of Zurich’s PhD in Sociology is strong in the study of social networks, life course, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty: Hans-Peter Blossfeld and Laura Bernardi.
• Unique Features: The department emphasizes quantitative methods and models in sociological research.

36. University of São Paulo (Brazil)

• Program Overview: USP’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its studies in social change, urban sociology, and political sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Maria Arminda do Nascimento Arruda and Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features: The program offers a unique insight into Latin American social structures and dynamics.

37. University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

• Program Overview: The University of Copenhagen offers a robust PhD program focusing on comparative welfare studies, environmental sociology, and the sociology of families.
• Notable Faculty: Morten Axel Pedersen and Annick Prieur.
• Unique Features: Its Scandinavian location provides a special focus on social policy and welfare systems.

38. University of Wisconsin–Madison (USA)

• Program Overview: The PhD program at UW-Madison is known for its strong emphasis on American sociology, particularly in areas like community and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Erik Olin Wright and Pamela Oliver.
• Unique Features: The department is famous for its historical commitment to “Wisconsin School” sociology, which blends empirical research with critical theory.

39. King’s College London (UK)

• Program Overview: King’s College offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on biopolitics, science and technology studies, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Deborah James and Mike Michael.
• Unique Features: The program is enriched by its central London location, which facilitates engagement with numerous cultural and political institutions.

40. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Germany)

• Program Overview: LMU Munich offers a PhD program that excels in the sociology of culture, social psychology, and the sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty: Armin Nassehi and Paula-Irene Villa.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and is well-connected with various research institutes across Europe.

41. University of Texas at Austin (USA)

• Program Overview: UT Austin’s Sociology PhD program focuses on areas like social inequality, health sociology, and education.
• Notable Faculty: Robert Crosnoe and Jennifer Glass.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its strong quantitative research emphasis and close ties to various research centers, including the Population Research Center.

42. University of Pennsylvania (USA)

• Program Overview: Penn’s Sociology PhD program is noted for its strengths in demography, urban sociology, and sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty: Annette Lareau and Emilio Parrado.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from interdisciplinary connections with Penn’s schools of education, law, and business.

43. University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)

• Program Overview: The University of Amsterdam excels in critical sociology, focusing on areas such as gender studies, political sociology, and the sociology of migration.
• Notable Faculty: Jan Willem Duyvendak and Giselinde Kuipers.
• Unique Features: The program offers a rich interdisciplinary environment and access to extensive research networks across Europe.

44. University of British Columbia (Canada)

• Program Overview: UBC’s PhD in Sociology focuses on social theory, environmental sociology, and the sociology of health.
• Notable Faculty: Neil Guppy and Renisa Mawani.
• Unique Features: The department encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary research across multiple faculties and institutes.

45. University of Melbourne (Australia)

• Program Overview: The University of Melbourne offers a PhD program in sociology that is particularly strong in the sociology of media, urban sociology, and cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty: John Murphy and Lisa Adkins.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from its partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations, providing practical insights into sociological issues.

46. Peking University (China)

• Program Overview: Peking University’s PhD program in Sociology is renowned for its focus on Chinese society, social stratification, and rural sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Sun Liping and Lu Xueyi.
• Unique Features: The program provides unique insights into Chinese social dynamics and offers extensive fieldwork opportunities across the country.

47. University of Zurich (Switzerland)

• Program Overview: The University of Zurich offers a strong program in economic sociology, the sociology of law, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty: Hans-Peter Kohler and Marlis Buchmann.
• Unique Features: The department is known for its methodological rigor and strong statistical training.

48. Seoul National University (South Korea)

• Program Overview: SNU’s Sociology PhD program specializes in Korean society, industrial sociology, and social change.
• Notable Faculty: Kyung-Sup Chang and Hagen Koo.
• Unique Features: The program provides deep insights into the dynamics of East Asian societies with a strong emphasis on empirical research.

49. University of Munich (Germany)

• Program Overview: LMU’s Sociology PhD program covers social structure analysis, cultural sociology, and the sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty: Armin Nassehi and Rudolf Stichweh.
• Unique Features: The program is well-regarded for its comprehensive theoretical training and strong European sociological tradition.

50. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA)

• Program Overview: UIUC’s Sociology PhD program is known for its research in labor markets, racial and ethnic inequality, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty: Zsuzsa Gille and Kevin Leicht.
• Unique Features: The program offers extensive resources such as the Survey Research Laboratory and the Illinois Qualitative Sociology Review.

51. University of California, Irvine (USA)

• Program Overview: UCI’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its focus on immigration, race and ethnicity, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty: Rubén G. Rumbaut and Frank D. Bean.
• Unique Features: The program encourages interdisciplinary research and is closely integrated with the Center for Demographic and Social Analysis.

52. University of Oslo (Norway)

• Program Overview: The University of Oslo offers a strong program in sociology of law, migration studies, and gender studies.
• Notable Faculty: Grete Brochmann and Willy Pedersen.
• Unique Features: The program provides a distinct Nordic perspective on social policies and welfare systems.

53. McGill University (Canada)

• Program Overview: McGill’s PhD in Sociology emphasizes social statistics, urban sociology, and global health.
• Notable Faculty: Shelley Clark and Amélie Quesnel-Vallée.
• Unique Features: The program is notable for its bilingual research environment and strong international collaborations.

54. Stockholm University (Sweden)

• Program Overview: Stockholm University’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in social demography, labor markets, and welfare studies.
• Notable Faculty: Sunnee Billingsley and Juho Härkönen.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from strong ties with various Swedish and European research institutes.

55. University of Warwick (UK)

• Program Overview: Warwick’s Sociology department offers a PhD program that is well-known for its work on social theory, cultural sociology, and digital sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Akwugo Emejulu and Gurminder K. Bhambra.
• Unique Features: The department promotes interdisciplinary research initiatives and has a vibrant international student body.

56. University of São Paulo (Brazil)

• Program Overview: The University of São Paulo offers a comprehensive PhD in Sociology with strengths in political sociology, environmental sociology, and sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty: Sergio Miceli and Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features: The program is particularly strong in its analysis of Brazilian and Latin American societies.

57. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA)

• Program Overview: U-M’s Sociology PhD program is known for its emphasis on social inequality, sociology of health, and population studies.
• Notable Faculty: Elizabeth Armstrong and Jeffrey Morenoff.
• Unique Features: The program is closely associated with the Institute for Social Research, one of the world’s leading centers for the advancement of social science research.

58. University of Edinburgh (Scotland)

• Program Overview: Edinburgh’s Sociology PhD program focuses on digital society, social inequalities, and global health.
• Notable Faculty: Lynn Jamieson and Richard Sparks.
• Unique Features: The program offers a strong methodological foundation and access to Scottish social research networks.

59. University of Delhi (India)

• Program Overview: The University of Delhi offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on Indian society, rural development, and social stratification.
• Notable Faculty: Anand Kumar and Vivek Kumar.
• Unique Features: The program provides in-depth insights into the complex social dynamics of South Asia.

60. University of California, Davis (USA)

• Program Overview: UC Davis’ Sociology PhD program is particularly strong in the areas of environmental sociology, social movements, and sociology of agriculture.
• Notable Faculty: James Smith and Laura Grindstaff.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from its proximity to various state and national policy-making bodies in California.

61. University of Minnesota (USA)

• Program Overview: The University of Minnesota’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its focus on inequality, demography, and global sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Douglas Hartmann and Elizabeth Wrigley-Field.
• Unique Features: The program is particularly strong in sociological research methods and offers extensive training in statistical analysis.

62. University of Bristol (UK)

• Program Overview: Bristol’s Sociology department offers a PhD program that explores modern social problems through quantitative and qualitative research, particularly focusing on policy impact and social change.
• Notable Faculty: Tariq Modood and Mhairi Mackenzie.
• Unique Features: The department is part of several interdisciplinary research centers, fostering a vibrant academic community.

63. National University of Singapore (Singapore)

• Program Overview: NUS provides a PhD in Sociology with specialties in family and demography, religion, and multiculturalism in Asian contexts.
• Notable Faculty: Vineeta Sinha and Chua Beng Huat.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its strong emphasis on Asian societal issues and offers significant opportunities for regional research.

64. University of Sydney (Australia)

• Program Overview: The University of Sydney’s Sociology PhD program specializes in digital cultures, health, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty: Alex Broom and Amanda Wise.
• Unique Features: The program’s strength is its interdisciplinary approach and its emphasis on public sociology.

65. University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

• Program Overview: The PhD in Sociology at the University of Copenhagen focuses on social exclusion, welfare studies, and the sociology of emotions.
• Notable Faculty: Margaretha Järvinen and Nils Holtug.
• Unique Features: The program offers a unique Scandinavian perspective on social welfare and policy studies.

66. University of California, Santa Barbara (USA)

• Program Overview: UCSB offers a Sociology PhD program that focuses on the sociology of gender, sexualities, and the environment.
• Notable Faculty: Verta Taylor and John Foran.
• Unique Features: The program is notable for its activist scholarship and commitment to social justice.

67. University of Munich (Germany)

• Program Overview: LMU Munich’s PhD program covers a wide range of sociological fields, including the sociology of education, migration, and urban studies.
• Notable Faculty: Armin Nassehi and Paula-Irene Villa.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from Munich’s strong network of research institutions and its vibrant student life.

68. University of Auckland (New Zealand)

• Program Overview: The University of Auckland offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on Pacific studies, social change, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Tracey McIntosh and Steve Matthewman.
• Unique Features: The program provides a unique insight into Pacific societies and is active in addressing urban and environmental issues in the region.

69. University of Toronto (Canada)

• Program Overview: Toronto’s PhD program in Sociology focuses on immigration, health studies, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty: Monica Boyd and Anna Korteweg.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from a highly diverse urban environment that serves as a living laboratory for sociological research.

70. University of Illinois at Chicago (USA)

• Program Overview: UIC’s Sociology PhD program specializes in urban sociology, race and ethnic relations, and global social change.
• Notable Faculty: Maria Krysan and Claire Decoteau.
• Unique Features: The program offers an urban public research setting with strong community ties and a focus on applied sociology.

71. University of Arizona (USA)

• Program Overview: The University of Arizona offers a PhD in Sociology with strong programs in environmental sociology, the sociology of health, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty: Jennifer Earl and Ronald Breiger.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its integration with other research units like the Institute of Environment and the School of Government and Public Policy.

72. University of Manchester (UK)

• Program Overview: Manchester’s Sociology PhD program focuses on social inequalities, digital societies, and global health.
• Notable Faculty: Bridget Byrne and Nick Crossley.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from strong research networks and centers, particularly in health sociology and social statistics.

73. University of California, San Diego (USA)

• Program Overview: UCSD offers a PhD in Sociology that is particularly strong in science and technology studies, sociology of culture, and comparative and historical sociology.
• Notable Faculty: John Skrentny and Amy Binder.
• Unique Features: The program encourages interdisciplinary research with strong ties to the Science Studies Program.

74. University of Oslo (Norway)

• Program Overview: The University of Oslo offers a PhD program specializing in the sociology of welfare and public policy, migration studies, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty: Grete Brochmann and Willy Pedersen.
• Unique Features: The program is noted for its Nordic perspective on social research and policy.

75. University of Alberta (Canada)

• Program Overview: The University of Alberta’s PhD program in Sociology is recognized for its work in the sociology of family, health sociology, and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Lisa Strohschein and Harvey Krahn.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from close collaboration with the Population Research Laboratory.

76. King’s College London (UK)

• Program Overview: King’s College offers a PhD program in Sociology with strong emphases on urban studies, biopolitics, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty: Deborah James and Mike Savage.
• Unique Features: The department is active in public sociology and engages with various social issues in metropolitan London.

77. University of Colorado Boulder (USA)

• Program Overview: UC Boulder offers a Sociology PhD that focuses on environmental sociology, the sociology of emotions, and inequality.
• Notable Faculty: Lori Hunter and Leslie Irvine.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its commitment to public sociology and its strong environmental research focus.

78. University of Cape Town (South Africa)

• Program Overview: UCT’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in African sociology, social change, and urban studies.
• Notable Faculty: Jeremy Seekings and Nicoli Nattrass.
• Unique Features: The program provides a critical perspective on social issues affecting Africa, with a strong emphasis on social justice and transformation.

79. University of Vienna (Austria)

• Program Overview: The University of Vienna offers a PhD in Sociology focusing on social integration, migration, and European societies.
• Notable Faculty: Christian Fleck and Ulrike Felt.
• Unique Features: The program offers a strong foundation in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with a European focus.

80. University of New South Wales (Australia)

• Program Overview: UNSW’s PhD program in Sociology is known for its research on social policy, health sociology, and globalization.
• Notable Faculty: Deborah Lupton and Martin Holt.
• Unique Features: The program encourages an interdisciplinary approach and has strong ties with the Social Policy Research Centre.

81. University of Leiden (Netherlands)

• Program Overview: Leiden University’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its strong focus on cultural sociology, globalization, and social cohesion.
• Notable Faculty: Marcel Lubbers and Evelien Tonkens.
• Unique Features: The program offers a broad international perspective, with extensive opportunities for collaborative research across Europe.

82. University of Florida (USA)

• Program Overview: The University of Florida offers a PhD in Sociology with specialties in criminology, environmental sociology, and race and ethnicity.
• Notable Faculty: Joe Feagin and Tanya Koropeckyj-Cox.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its strong methodological training and for fostering interdisciplinary research across various academic units.

83. University of Warwick (UK)

• Program Overview: Warwick’s Sociology department provides a PhD program focusing on social theory, digital sociology, and international development.
• Notable Faculty: Nickie Charles and Maria do Mar Pereira.
• Unique Features: The program is part of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies, offering innovative approaches to sociological research.

84. University of Groningen (Netherlands)

• Program Overview: The University of Groningen’s Sociology PhD program specializes in social networks, population studies, and social justice.
• Notable Faculty: Rafael Wittek and Melinda Mills.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from the university’s strong emphasis on quantitative methods and its leading role in social network analysis in Europe.

85. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA)

• Program Overview: UNC Chapel Hill’s Sociology PhD program is well-known for its research in social movements, health sociology, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty: Andrew Perrin and Lisa Pearce.
• Unique Features: The program fosters a collaborative research environment with access to numerous interdisciplinary research centers.

86. University of Zurich (Switzerland)

• Program Overview: The University of Zurich offers a PhD in Sociology with a strong emphasis on social networks, life course studies, and social stratification.
• Notable Faculty: Hans-Peter Blossfeld and Laura Bernardi.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its methodological rigor and excellent statistical training.

87. University of Illinois at Chicago (USA)

• Program Overview: UIC’s Sociology PhD program specializes in urban sociology, social movements, and global and transnational issues.
• Notable Faculty: Saskia Sassen and Claire Decoteau.
• Unique Features: The program’s urban setting offers rich opportunities for field research in one of America’s largest cities.

88. University of Queensland (Australia)

• Program Overview: The University of Queensland offers a PhD program in sociology focusing on social change, health sociology, and the sociology of gender.
• Notable Faculty: Gert Stulp and Claudio V. Torres.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its strong ties to various research institutes, providing ample opportunities for practical engagement.

89. University of California, Santa Cruz (USA)

• Program Overview: UC Santa Cruz’s Sociology PhD program is noted for its critical approach to global and social issues including social justice, environmental change, and race and ethnic studies.
• Notable Faculty: Herman Gray and Jenny Reardon.
• Unique Features: The program is uniquely positioned to integrate sociological research with issues of technology and social justice.

90. University of Edinburgh (Scotland)

• Program Overview: The University of Edinburgh offers a PhD in Sociology that focuses on culture and creativity, social inequalities, and the sociology of families.
• Notable Faculty: Lynn Jamieson and Gillian Rose.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from its historical and cultural context, providing a rich backdrop for sociological research.

91. University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)

• Program Overview: The University of Amsterdam offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on urban studies, migration, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty: Jan Willem Duyvendak and Giselinde Kuipers.
• Unique Features: The program is especially strong in European social research and offers rich opportunities for cross-national studies.

92. Ohio State University (USA)

• Program Overview: OSU’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its research in social stratification, race and ethnicity, and demography.
• Notable Faculty: Vincent Roscigno and Claudia Buchmann.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from affiliations with multiple research centers, including the Institute for Population Research.

93. University of Stockholm (Sweden)

• Program Overview: Stockholm University offers a PhD program that specializes in welfare research, labor market studies, and social policy.
• Notable Faculty: Magnus Bygren and Sunnee Billingsley.
• Unique Features: The program’s Nordic setting provides a unique perspective on welfare state dynamics and social policies.

94. University of California, Berkeley (USA)

• Program Overview: UC Berkeley’s Sociology PhD program is known for its strong emphasis on theoretical and empirical research in areas like social inequality, political sociology, and organizational behavior.
• Notable Faculty: Kim Voss and Irene Bloemraad.
• Unique Features: The program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments and research institutes.

95. University of Munich (Germany)

• Program Overview: LMU Munich’s PhD program covers a broad range of sociological fields, including sociology of religion, migration studies, and social structures.
• Notable Faculty: Armin Nassehi and Paula-Irene Villa.
• Unique Features: The program is noted for its critical theoretical approaches and strong European sociological tradition.

96. University of Texas at Austin (USA)

• Program Overview: UT Austin offers a Sociology PhD program focusing on areas such as family dynamics, social psychology, and health sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Robert Crosnoe and Debra Umberson.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its strong quantitative research orientation and its interdisciplinary collaborations across campus.

97. University of British Columbia (Canada)

• Program Overview: UBC’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its work in areas such as gender studies, environmental sociology, and racial and ethnic relations.
• Notable Faculty: Amin Ghaziani and Renisa Mawani.
• Unique Features: The program encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary research, particularly with its ties to the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice.

98. University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

• Program Overview: The University of Copenhagen offers a PhD in Sociology with strong emphases on quantitative methods, migration studies, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty: Nils Holtug and Christian Albrekt Larsen.
• Unique Features: The program benefits from its Scandinavian context, which is known for its innovative social research and welfare studies.

99. Rutgers University (USA)

• Program Overview: Rutgers’ Sociology PhD program offers specialties in health sociology, social movements, and race and ethnicity.
• Notable Faculty: Patricia Roos and Lee Clarke.
• Unique Features: The program is highly interdisciplinary and benefits from proximity to diverse urban environments for empirical research.

100. University of Queensland (Australia)

• Program Overview: The University of Queensland’s Sociology PhD program focuses on social change, digital media, and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Greg Marston and Xiaoying Qi.
• Unique Features: The program offers strong links with government and non-government organizations, enhancing practical engagement and policy impact.

101. National University of Singapore (Singapore)

• Focus: Family and demography, religion, multiculturalism.
• Notable Faculty: Vineeta Sinha, Chua Beng Huat.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes Asian societal issues and offers significant opportunities for regional research.

102. Peking University (China)

• Focus: Chinese society, social stratification, rural sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Sun Liping, Lu Xueyi.
• Unique Features: The program provides unique insights into Chinese social dynamics and offers extensive fieldwork opportunities across the country.

103. Tsinghua University (China)

• Focus: Urban sociology, social policy, inequality.
• Notable Faculty: Guo Yuhua, Shen Yuan.
• Unique Features: The program integrates urban studies with social policy, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding contemporary Chinese society.

104. University of Tokyo (Japan)

• Focus: Social theory, empirical research, social dynamics in Asia.
• Notable Faculty: Yoshimichi Sato, Takehiko Kariya.
• Unique Features: The program offers strong interdisciplinary collaboration and extensive research opportunities in Asian social issues.

105. Kyoto University (Japan)

• Focus: Comparative sociology, cultural studies, social change.
• Notable Faculty: Jun Ikeno, Shigeto Sonoda.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes a comparative approach, integrating cultural studies with social change in Asian contexts.

106. Seoul National University (South Korea)

• Focus: Korean society, industrial sociology, social change.
• Notable Faculty: Kyung-Sup Chang, Hagen Koo.
• Unique Features: The program provides deep insights into East Asian societies with a strong emphasis on empirical research.

107. Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

• Focus: Migration, social stratification, family studies.
• Notable Faculty: Ray Yep, Alvin So.
• Unique Features: The program offers a rich blend of theoretical and applied research, with a focus on migration and social change in Greater China.

108. Fudan University (China)

• Focus: Urban studies, economic sociology, social policy.
• Notable Faculty: Gu Xin, Wu Xiaogang.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its strong urban studies component and its integration with economic sociology.

109. University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

• Focus: Comparative sociology, public policy, social research methods.
• Notable Faculty: Pun Ngai, Maggy Lee.
• Unique Features: The program is distinguished by its focus on public policy and its robust methodological training.

110. Jawaharlal Nehru University (India)

• Focus: Indian society, social movements, development sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Anand Kumar, Vivek Kumar.
• Unique Features: The program is renowned for its critical approach to development sociology and its focus on social movements in India.

111. National Taiwan University (Taiwan)

• Focus: Political sociology, cultural sociology, social networks.
• Notable Faculty: Wei-hsin Yu, Chin-Chun Yi.
• Unique Features: The program offers a unique perspective on Taiwanese and East Asian societies, with strong international research collaborations.

112. University of Malaya (Malaysia)

• Focus: Ethnicity, development studies, sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty: Syed Farid Alatas, Abdul Rahman Embong.
• Unique Features: The program provides in-depth insights into Malaysian society, with a focus on ethnic relations and development.

113. Yonsei University (South Korea)

• Focus: Social change, family sociology, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Hyunjoon Park, Eun Mee Kim.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes empirical research and offers strong interdisciplinary collaboration with other social sciences.

114. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India)

• Focus: Sociology of technology, urban sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty: Arup Maharatna, Anagha Tambe.
• Unique Features: The program combines technological studies with sociological research, providing a unique interdisciplinary approach.

115. Korea University (South Korea)

• Focus: Social stratification, education, labor studies.
• Notable Faculty: Chul-Kyoo Kim, Yean-Ju Lee.
• Unique Features: The program is well-regarded for its strong focus on social inequalities and labor market research.

116. University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines)

• Focus: Development sociology, gender studies, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Ricardo Jose, Teresa Encarnacion Tadem.
• Unique Features: The program offers a strong emphasis on Philippine society and culture, with extensive fieldwork opportunities.

117. City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

• Focus: Urban sociology, migration, social policy.
• Notable Faculty: Ray Forrest, Linda Wong.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its focus on urban studies and social policy, providing a comprehensive understanding of contemporary social issues in Hong Kong.

118. Zhejiang University (China)

• Focus: Rural sociology, social development, family studies.
• Notable Faculty: Wu Xu, Zhang Weiying.
• Unique Features: The program offers unique insights into rural development and social change in China, with a strong focus on empirical research.

119. Osaka University (Japan)

• Focus: Sociology of education, social networks, cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty: Hiroshi Ishida, Yuko Tsukamoto.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes cross-cultural studies and social network analysis, providing a broad understanding of sociological issues in Japan.

120. University of Indonesia (Indonesia)

• Focus: Urbanization, social policy, gender studies.
• Notable Faculty: Iwan Pranoto, Wening Udasmoro.
• Unique Features: The program provides a comprehensive approach to understanding urbanization and social policy in Indonesia, with a strong focus on gender studies.

121. University of Cape Town (South Africa)

• Focus: African sociology, social change, urban studies.
• Notable Faculty: Jeremy Seekings, Nicoli Nattrass.
• Unique Features: The program provides a critical perspective on social issues affecting Africa, with a strong emphasis on social justice and transformation.

122. University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)

• Focus: Development sociology, labor studies, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Vishwas Satgar, Devan Pillay.
• Unique Features: The program is renowned for its focus on development issues and labor studies in the African context.

123. Stellenbosch University (South Africa)

• Focus: Social inequality, rural sociology, sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty: Lindy Heinecken, Cherryl Walker.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes rural sociology and educational research, providing unique insights into South African society.

124. University of Nairobi (Kenya)

• Focus: Development studies, urbanization, gender studies.
• Notable Faculty: Karuti Kanyinga, Winnie Mitullah.
• Unique Features: The program offers a strong emphasis on development and urbanization issues in East Africa, with a focus on gender studies.

125. Makerere University (Uganda)

• Focus: Social policy, rural development, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Edward Kirumira, Josephine Ahikire.
• Unique Features: The program is well-regarded for its research on rural development and social policy in Uganda.

126. University of Ghana (Ghana)

• Focus: Sociology of development, social stratification, migration studies.
• Notable Faculty: Nana Apt, Akosua Adomako Ampofo.
• Unique Features: The program provides in-depth research opportunities in West African social issues, with a strong emphasis on development and migration.

127. University of Ibadan (Nigeria)

• Focus: Development sociology, gender studies, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Olabisi Aina, Olayinka Omigbodun.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its strong focus on development and health issues in Nigeria, providing a critical perspective on African social dynamics.

128. University of Botswana (Botswana)

• Focus: Urbanization, social policy, gender studies.
• Notable Faculty: Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo, Joseph Tlou.
• Unique Features: The program offers a comprehensive approach to understanding urbanization and social policy in Botswana, with a strong focus on gender studies.

129. Cairo University (Egypt)

• Focus: Urban studies, social policy, family studies.
• Notable Faculty: Ahmed Zayed, Heba Raouf Ezzat.
• Unique Features: The program is distinguished by its strong emphasis on urban issues and family dynamics in the Middle Eastern context.

130. University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

• Focus: Development studies, rural sociology, social change.
• Notable Faculty: Nuhu Hatibu Senkoro, Martha Qorro.
• Unique Features: The program offers a deep understanding of social change and development issues specific to East Africa.

131. University of São Paulo (Brazil)

• Focus: Social change, urban sociology, political sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Maria Arminda do Nascimento Arruda, Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features: The program offers unique insights into Brazilian social structures and urban dynamics.

132. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (Chile)

• Focus: Social policy, development sociology, cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty: Eduardo Valenzuela, Teresa Matus.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes applied sociology and public policy, with a strong focus on Chilean and Latin American contexts.

133. University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)

• Focus: Urban studies, labor sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty: Gabriel Kessler, Maristella Svampa.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its critical approach to social movements and labor issues in Argentina.

134. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

• Focus: Environmental sociology, urban sociology, social inequality.
• Notable Faculty: Michel Misse, Moema Miranda.
• Unique Features: The program provides comprehensive training in environmental and urban sociology, focusing on social inequalities in Brazil.

135. University of the Andes (Colombia)

• Focus: Social policy, conflict studies, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Rodrigo Uprimny, Angelika Rettberg.
• Unique Features: The program offers a strong focus on conflict resolution and social policy in Colombia and Latin America.

136. Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)

• Focus: Development sociology, rural sociology, sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty: Heloisa Salles Pereira, Luciana Andrade.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes rural development and educational research, providing unique insights into Brazilian society.

137. National University of San Marcos (Peru)

• Focus: Social change, indigenous studies, urbanization.
• Notable Faculty: Rolando Ames, Isabel Coral Cordero.
• Unique Features: The program provides a critical perspective on indigenous issues and urbanization in Peru.

138. Federal University of Bahia (Brazil)

• Focus: Cultural studies, race and ethnicity, social movements.
• Notable Faculty: Jocélio Teles dos Santos, Marilene Corrêa.
• Unique Features: The program is distinguished by its focus on cultural studies and race relations in Brazil.

139. Central University of Venezuela (Venezuela)

• Focus: Social policy, development studies, political sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Margarita López Maya, Hector Briceño.
• Unique Features: The program provides extensive research opportunities in social policy and development within the Venezuelan context.

140. University of Santiago (Chile)

• Focus: Sociology of education, urban studies, social change.
• Notable Faculty: José Joaquín Brunner, Manuel Antonio Garretón.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes educational research and urban sociology, offering a comprehensive understanding of social change in Chile.

141. University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines)

• Focus: Development sociology, gender studies, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty: Ricardo Jose, Teresa Encarnacion Tadem.
• Unique Features: The program offers a strong emphasis on Philippine society and culture, with extensive fieldwork opportunities.

142. City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

• Focus: Urban sociology, migration, social policy.
• Notable Faculty: Ray Forrest, Linda Wong.
• Unique Features: The program is known for its focus on urban studies and social policy, providing a comprehensive understanding of contemporary social issues in Hong Kong.

143. Zhejiang University (China)

• Focus: Rural sociology, social development, family studies.
• Notable Faculty: Wu Xu, Zhang Weiying.
• Unique Features: The program offers unique insights into rural development and social change in China, with a strong focus on empirical research.

144. Osaka University (Japan)

• Focus: Sociology of education, social networks, cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty: Hiroshi Ishida, Yuko Tsukamoto.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes cross-cultural studies and social network analysis, providing a broad understanding of sociological issues in Japan.

145. University of Indonesia (Indonesia)

• Focus: Urbanization, social policy, gender studies.
• Notable Faculty: Iwan Pranoto, Wening Udasmoro.
• Unique Features: The program provides a comprehensive approach to understanding urbanization and social policy in Indonesia, with a strong focus on gender studies.

146. Thammasat University (Thailand)

• Focus: Development studies, political sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty: Chaiwat Satha-Anand, Thanet Aphornsuvan.
• Unique Features: The program offers critical insights into Southeast Asian development issues and political movements.

147. Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)

• Focus: Cultural sociology, social inequality, urban studies.
• Notable Faculty: Naruemon Thabchumpon, Chalidaporn Songsamphan.
• Unique Features: The program emphasizes cultural and urban studies with a focus on social inequalities in Thailand.

148. University of Colombo (Sri Lanka)

• Focus: Post-conflict studies, development sociology, migration.
• Notable Faculty: Siri Hettige, Premakumara de Silva.
• Unique Features: The program is distinguished by its focus on post-conflict societal issues and development in Sri Lanka.

149. Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel)

• Focus: Social stratification, sociology of religion, migration.
• Notable Faculty: Vered Kraus, Moshe Semyonov.
• Unique Features: The program provides a comprehensive approach to social stratification and migration studies, particularly in the Middle Eastern context.

150. University of Haifa (Israel)

• • Focus: Peace and conflict studies, social networks, cultural sociology.
  • Notable Faculty: Gad Barzilai, Ayala Emmett.
  • Unique Features: The program offers unique insights into peace and conflict resolution, with a strong emphasis on social network analysis.