Program Overview

Social Research Methods (Social Policy) MSc

Course Overview

This course aims to prepare you for a research career and equip you with the necessary skills for further postgraduate study such as a PhD. The social policy pathway aims to bring together a core training in research methods within the specific disciplinary field of social policy.

Course Structure

Core Modules

• Analysing Data: You gain a thorough grounding in quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. You will be introduced to the UK Data Service and explore the range of data available. The module will focus on quantitative analysis using SPSS as a tool to conduct exploratory and inferential statistical analysis.
• Comparative Social Policy: This module adopts a comparative perspective on the study of social policy, with a particular focus on comparing the different welfare regimes in European countries.
• Foundations of Social Research: This module will introduce you to the relationship between philosophy, theory and social research. You will examine major debates in epistemology and consider how this relates to decisions research design and analysis.
• Methods of Data Collection: This module aims to give you a thorough grounding in both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Embedded in relation to theory, practice and ethics, you will examine core research methods used in social research in addition to new and developing techniques for collecting data.
• Social Inequalities: You study complementary blocks of teaching. In the first block, you gain a theoretical overview of sociological context and explanation for myriad issues relating to the topic of social inequality.
• Social Research Project: You have the opportunity to demonstrate your research skills through a piece of independent social research. You will identify a research topic, formulate a research question and conduct an appropriate piece of research and then write about it.
• Studies in Criminology and Social Policy: You examine methodological and empirically innovative or significant research methods and studies in criminology and social policy.

How You Learn

• Attending lectures and seminars
• Discussing key readings
• Through group and individual activities and exercises
• Through debate and discussion with staff and other students
• Through informal and formal feedback on assignments
• Through one-to-one teaching with members of academic staff

How You Are Assessed

• A wide variety of methods including qualitative and quantitative research and analysis exercises
• Written reports
• Essays
• CV development
• An original piece of research which is written up as an article or report (dissertation)

Entry Requirements

• Applicants should normally have a good second-class honours degree in a relevant field
• Those who have relevant professional qualifications and/or relevant experience will also be considered

Employability

Career Opportunities

• Graduates are equipped to work within local government, education, health, the cultural sector, or anywhere where policies and practices are evaluated and inform future development
• Graduates also work in employment arenas where it is important to submit well-crafted and conceptualised bids and proposals for projects
• It is an appropriate course for those wanting to progress their current careers by increasing their research skills
• Opportunities also exist in the criminal justice system (including the police, prison, probation and youth offending services)
• This programme is also ideal if you're interested in working (or already work) in social services and related voluntary agencies
• Some of our MSc students continue to doctoral studies and/or work at colleges and universities

Information for International Applicants

Qualifications

• International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by selecting their country below

Fees

Full-time

• Fee for UK applicants: £7,710 a year
• Fee for international applicants: £17,000 a year

Part-time

• Not available part-time

Choose Teesside

• Stand out from other job applicants with your higher level qualification, specialist knowledge and expanded networks
• Improve your project management, critical thinking, research skills, time management, presentation skills and teamwork
• The median salary for working-age postgraduates (£45,000) was £6,500 more than for working-age (those aged 16 to 64) graduates (£38,500) in 2022
• Study in our friendly town-centre campus with £280m of recent investment
• Study at Europe's first Adobe Creative Campus and develop your creative and digital skills

More Information

• Sociology: More courses in Sociology

Open Days and Events

• Postgraduate open day: 9.00am - 3.00pm, On campus, Book now