MSc Migration Studies

Program Overview

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What trends in migration have we seen in recent years? Do some societies facilitate adaptation for migrants better than others? Migration, refugees and forced displacement are some of the most pressing and controversial challenges facing contemporary societies and nation states. Our course uniquely explores the study of migration through a sociological perspective and uses a scientific approach to investigate the key challenges that will shape policy agendas and the impact that this could have around the world. Our MSc Migration Studies combines insights of sociological theory with the methodological rigour highly in demand by government, NGOs and supranational institutions. Drawing on the expertise of leading researchers, you build the methodological skills needed to conduct your own research and make your own contribution to the field of migration. You gain a critical and coherent perspective on empirical research and examining the key assumptions and ideological underpinnings of qualitative and quantitative research. . This course covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Citizenship and Human rights
• Welfare
• Immigration policy
• Social cohesion and integration
• Sociological research methods
• Race, ethnicity and identity
• Multiculturalism

You also develop a strong theoretical understanding and address key issues surrounding migration. Our Department of Sociology is 2nd in UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021). Why we're great.

• Uniquely taught within our Department of Sociology, so you gain a strong sociological and interdisciplinary dimension.
• Develop the skills needed to make your own contribution to the field, examining underpinnings of research
• We are 2nd in UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Our expert staff

We are a large and friendly department, offering a diverse range of research interests and with staff members who are committed to teaching, research and publication that covers a broad geographical and thematic spectrum. Key academic staff for this course include:

• Neli Demireva , whose research interests include migration, inter-ethnic ties, social cohesion, ethnic penalties and multiculturalism
• Ayse Güveli , explores the dynamics of socioeconomic, cultural and religious integration and social mobility among migrants in Europe
• Carlos Gigoux , researches the impact of migration for Indigenous peoples and the role of social movements in advancing migrants rights
• Renee Luthra , analyses immigrant integration and ethnic inequality in school, work and health in Germany, the United States and the UK
• Ewa Morawska , a comparative-historical sociologist who studies different trajectories of immigrants' integration into the host society and the mechanisms facilitating and hindering ground-level multiculturalism or friendly everyday inter-group relations in different places/different times

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Specialist facilities

• The Masters in Migration Studies will form an integral part of the interdisciplinary Centre for Migration Studies developing at Essex, including a tailored Migration-focused postgraduate workshop every Spring
• The opportunity to network with other migration scholars in Japan, Germany, and the United States
• Links with the Institute of Social and Economic Research, which conducts large-scale survey projects and has its own library, and the UK Data Archive, the largest survey data depository in the UK
• A unique Student Resource Centre where you can get help with your studies, access examples of previous students’ work, and attend workshops on research skills
• The Sociology common room is open all day Monday-Friday, is stocked with daily newspapers, magazines and journals, and has free drinks available

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Your future

A degree in Migration Studies with a sociological approach, especially one from a recognised centre of excellence like Essex, opens many doors. This course provides excellent preparation for establishing a career in policy making, human rights organisations or to continue further academic study. Many of our postgraduates go on to successful academic careers, both in the UK and overseas. We work with the University’s Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Program Outline

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 What interests you? Do you want to deepen your knowledge, build invaluable research skills and develop your academic freedom? Your dissertation lets you study a topic of your choosing, in depth, with supervision and guidance from our world-leading academics. View Postgraduate Taught Project and Academic Skills on our Module Directory Throughout the module, we will discuss international theories of migration and social integration, examine migration and refugee policies in a comparative perspective, the difference between statistical and taste-based discrimination, and the perpetuation of bias, how we gain an understanding of labour market integration; and the debates surrounding migration, prostitution and sex work. View Migration: Theory, Concepts and Selected Issues on our Module Directory How do you critically analyse quantitative data? What are the appropriate statistical techniques for your research questions? And how do you interpret your results? Learn to conduct investigations relevant to your own research, as well as be a critical user of other research. View Introduction to Quantitative Analysis on our Module Directory How do we understand the divergent pathways of immigrants and their children in school, work, social and political life? Why do some immigrant groups and their offspring appear to fare better than others? This module will address these questions with a comparative focus on the United States and Western Europe, drawing on the concepts of (segmented) assimilation and acculturation central to the sociology of migration. View The Context of Integration: Origin, Destination and the Children of Immigrants on our Module Directory How do you interpret studies using panel data? What are the various approaches to panel data analysis? And can you analyse the same data using different methods? Gain the knowledge and confidence to manipulate panel data sets, while developing practical skills in selecting and conducting panel data analysis. View Advanced Quantitative Analysis: Models for Cause and Effect on our Module Directory COMPONENT 06: OPTIOL SC920-7-SP or level 7 Sociology option from list (20 CREDITS) COMPONENT 07: OPTIOL SC526-7-SP or Level 7 Sociology option from list (20 CREDITS)

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Teaching

• Your compulsory modules include a broad overview of migration theory and current issues in migration studies, which will help inform your dissertation and allow networking with other migration studies students
• Migration Studies postgraduates are encouraged to take advantage of the strong research culture and multiple seminar series in the Sociology department, as well as the multi-disciplinary workshops organised by the Centre for Migration Studies

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Assessment

• Coursework is designed to help you develop your ability to critically synthesize existing literature, present new ideas and concepts clearly both in writing and verbally, and to identify research questions and appropriately choose methods to address them

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Dissertation

• Your 15,000 word dissertation will allow you to complete a piece of original research closely supervised by a member of staff
• Your dissertation will serve as proof of competence of the skills acquired during the programme, suitable for entrance into further study or as a writing sample for employment.