MA in Social Research
This programme offers training for those who need to conduct or evaluate sociological research, and provides skills for academic and non-academic researchers. It is concerned with both quantitative and qualitative methods and their application in the study of substantive areas, as well as the relationship of research studies to sociological theory.
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
No deadline, unless applying for funding. Please see more information at the Department. As part of the admissions process, you may be offered an informal advisory meeting with the Programme Convenor.
Please see How to apply.
You should have an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant subject.
ESRC. The programme is recognised by the ESRC under its ‘1+3’ and ‘+3’ schemes for graduate funding. The Department has six quota awards under the scheme for the period 2008-10.
The MA is ideal research preparation for an MPhil/PhD and a future academic career in Sociology. It is also suited for those in the public, health and third/NGO sector who might already undertake some social research but want to advance their social research skills and training either as part of their existing work or their future career development.
Capacity to generate and execute sociological research at an advanced level; ability to examine how social, public and civil policy can be influenced by sociological knowledge; ability to investigate, appraise and communicate empirical information.
Please see Tuition fees.
Please see Staff research interests.
Download a booklet [PDF, 814KB] or contact the Postgraduate Masters Secretary, Sociology
Sociology
The MA is based on workshop methods, and covers a range of methodologies including interviewing and observation, analysis, ethnographic work and statistical analysis of large-scale quantitative data sets. It addresses a wide variety of contemporary theoretical traditions from discourse analysis to ethnomusicology and feminism.
Core courses will: introduce you to methodological and theoretical perspectives via data analysis exercises; cover the analysis of the role of numbers in constructing sociological arguments; enable you to learn both qualitative and quantitative computing and analytical skills. You also produce a dissertation, and choose options from a range that currently covers topics including: gendering research practice; contemporary culture and artistic practices; reading the city; the social theory of human rights and cosmopolitan law; race, gender and representation.
Assessment
Essays and dissertation.
Application enquiries
Please see how to apply for information on applying to this programme.