PhD: Social Science & Humanities
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| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Postgraduate (PhD) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Management & Computing – Department of Management |
| Duration | 36–96 months FT / 48–120 PT |
| Intakes | January, May & September (to confirm specifically for SSH page) |
| Accreditation (EAC/BEM, MQA ref) | MQA/SWA2160; R2/345/8/0243 (03/28). EAC/BEM not applicable to this social science & humanities research programme. |
| Tuition (Total, Malaysian) | RM12,200/yr Eng & Geoscience · RM8,600 Mgmt · RM8,000 IS (Jan 2020 figures, UPDATE) |
Who is this programme for?
For professionals, academics and researchers seeking to conduct original research in social sciences and humanities, particularly sociology, cultural and political studies, language and linguistics, journalism, or communication and media studies.
What will I learn, year by year?
Year 1: Research methodology, literature review, research proposal and Research Proposal Defence.
Years 2–3: Conduct original research, collect/analyse data, present research progress and develop scholarly publications.
Final stage: Complete thesis, research completion requirements and Viva Voce.
Research duration varies by candidate.
Where do graduates work? Name employers and roles
Graduates may progress into academia, research, policy, communication, media, consultancy and social-impact roles. A documented UTP graduate, Dr Khalidah Ali, became a senior lecturer at UTP and pursued academic, writing, business ethics and social responsibility work. Specific employer data for the programme should be supplied by UTP Alumni/CGS.
One thing that makes it different at UTP
Research flexibility across four broad areas — Sociological; Cultural & Political Studies; Language & Linguistics and Journalism; and Communication & Media Studies — allowing candidates to develop a research topic around their professional or academic interests.
TESTIMONIAL: quote, full name, year, employer. Photo? (Y/N)
"It was heart wrenching to see the animals I took care of for three months developed stroke symptoms," says Aishah Ismail, 29, a PhD in Applied Science postgraduate student at UTP. Having recently returned from her research attachment programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Aishah looks to carry over some of the good things she has gleaned at the leading Ivy league university into her daily research routine.
2019 Graduate
Aishah Ismail
a PhD in Applied Science postgraduate student at UTP. Having recently returned from her research attachment programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Aishah looks to carry over some of the good things she has gleaned at the leading Ivy league university into her daily research routine.
“It was heart wrenching to see the animals I took care of for three months developed stroke symptoms,”
Explore More:
https://www.utp.edu.my/Pages/Students/Student%20Development%20and%20Services/Stories/Aishah-sets-out-to-spare-millions-from-the-perils-of-stroke.aspx
2020 Graduate
Roodra Manogaran
Postdoctoral Research Associate at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/University of Maryland, Baltimore County; “I would recommend anyone to go for a student exchange programme as it was the best experience I ever had in my life. Thanks to Yayasan UTP and the geosciences department, I was able to complete my study abroad programme in MST. The amount of growth and maturing that happens when you study abroad is amazing. I feel it has been one of the most significant attributes to my undergraduate career and personal growth during the last few years.”
Target: Straight A SPM / IGCSE
2020 Graduate
Ain Natasha Mohd Nasir
Engineer – Process Data SSW at Shell
““Internship period was one of the remarks on my life board. I did my 7-months internship with PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd. (PCSB) where it really thrives me a whole new knowledge on geological operations which involves Petroleum Engineering terms which I was not familiar to however this experience of internship really drives me to get into a picture of industrial work and I did enjoy the whole internship period. “
Target: Straight A SPM / IGCSE
2016 Graduate
Grandika S. Primadani
Principal Analyst, Asia Pacific – International Plays & Basins, S&P Global
“The petroleum geoscience program at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is excellent preparation for careers in geosciences and other earth science-related professions. During my study in UTP, I was fortunate to have gone through the modules, namely sedimentology and stratigraphy, seismic interpretation, and basin analysis which actually helped me in the integration of geological and geophysical data at the scale of both basin and reservoirs.”
Target: Straight A SPM / IGCSE
2019 Graduate
Min Wai Phyo
Vice President, Distribution Network – Community Banking, Yoma Bank
“As UTP is always encouraging the students to be well-rounded, it is fun to participate in all the co-curriculum activities and also develop our leadership and management skills by being active members of clubs and societies inside the campus.”
Target: Straight A SPM / IGCSE
The Research Behind It: Which area, centre and academics?
Research areas: Sociological; Cultural & Political Studies; Language & Linguistics & Journalism; Communication & Media Studies. Research ecosystem includes Centre of Social Innovation (COSI). Relevant academics include Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Nuri Al-Amin Endut, Assoc Prof Dr Shahrina Md Nordin, Dr Hairuzila Idrus, Dr Muhammad Ridhuan Tony Lim Abdullah, Assoc Prof Dr Lai Fong Woon, Assoc Prof Dr Ting Ding Hooi and others, depending on topic/supervisor.
Cost & Funding: Which scholarships and aid apply to this programme?
UTP Graduate Assistantship (GA): full-time PhD; tuition + first-attempt research methodology fee; RM3,000/month listed on current local fee page. GRA: full-time research students; tuition + first-attempt research methodology fee; allowance subject to grant. EPF Withdrawal: Malaysian students, full/part-time. HRDF SBL: employer-sponsored postgraduate development
Student Life: What should an applicant to this programme know?
This is a research-intensive programme, so students should expect substantial independent work rather than conventional classroom learning. Applicants should identify a suitable research direction and potential supervisor early. Full-time students receiving GA/GRA also have research/teaching commitments.
Next Intake + Application Deadline
Next intake: January 2027. UTP's postgraduate research system operates January/May/September intakes. Programme application deadline: confirm with CGS/Programme Office. For GA, the published January deadline is 1st week of October 2026.
Placement or internship route for this programme
No formal internship/placement route is stated for this PhD. Research attachment opportunities may be available through supervisors using research grants. The programme is primarily research-based.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the research areas?
Sociology; cultural & political studies; language & linguistics/journalism; communication & media studies.
Can I study part-time?
Yes, with a 4–10 year duration.
What funding is available?
GA, GRA, EPF withdrawal and applicable employer/HRDF support are available subject to eligibility.
Programme Lead