Social Research

Our social research postgraduate course is an interdisciplinary social science training programme designed to prepare you for further research in the workplace or for MPhil/PhD study.

We offer this course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. For the Diploma and Certificate you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation.

MSc Social Research

Our MSc covers ontology, epistemology, quantitative and qualitative techniques, and advanced methods masterclasses. You also carry out an independent dissertation, putting into practice the methods and theoretical concepts you have been taught. The course provides a particularly strong environment for theoretically informed, interdisciplinary and socially engaged research.

Postgraduate Diploma in Social Research

Our Postgraduate Diploma is designed to prepare you for further research in the workplace. The course covers ontology, epistemology, quantitative and qualitative techniques, and advanced methods masterclasses. It provides a particularly strong environment for theoretically informed, interdisciplinary and socially engaged research.

Postgraduate Certificate in Social Research

Our Postgraduate Certificate is designed for people working in social research or related areas who find themselves needing a stronger grounding in formal qualitative and quantitative research methods. There is an emphasis on applying research techniques, including interviewing, focus groups and data analysis using SPSS. Epistemological issues in designing research projects are also addressed.

Highlights

Rigorous training in a range of contemporary social research methods.

Excellent foundation for doctoral social research.

Interdisciplinary, theoretically informed and creative approach to research.

Exemplifies methods with a wide range of interesting examples from topical areas of social research.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in government departments, think tanks, NGOs, the Civil Service and political parties. Possible professions include:

social researcher

government social researcher

human resources officer

higher education lecturer

politician’s assistant.

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