Master of Science - Social Research Methods

The MSc Social Research Methods degree will equip students with exceptional research skills. Students will be able to apply these skills across a broad range of social science disciplines.

This postgraduate course will give students the skills they need to conduct and manage their own research. Students will learn to offer a well-informed critique of the sources they encounter in social research. This includes both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Students will develop an understanding of key issues and debates associated with the production of knowledge about the social world. As students progress, they'll develop advanced skills in all aspects of the research process. Students will look at conception and design, data collection and analysis, and writing up. Students will also gain an in-depth understanding of the ethical issues that arise at each stage of the research process.

By the end of the course, students can expect to have developed high level analytical skills and advanced written communication skills. Students will also be adept at solving complex problems and hone their ability to act as independent and critical thinkers.

Teaching staff lead research in various areas. These include child protection, childhood, gender-based violence, social science methods, prisons, imprisonment, sexual offending, and youth justice. The programme's reputation has grown over many year because of its excellent calibre of research staff and a collaborative research style, as well as its dedication to inclusivity.

The MSc Social Research Methods course is designed to satisfy the ESRC postgraduate training and development guidelines.