Program Overview

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MSc Applied Educational & Social Research

The MSc Applied Educational & Social Research is a full-time one-year or two-year part-time degree, ideal for those looking to enhance their academic and professional understanding of research. The course looks at the issues facing educational and social researchers and offers a range of intellectual and practical resources to structure and explore these issues.

Key Facts

• Start date: September
• Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time – by attendance & blended learning, 24 months part-time – online

Why this Course?

The MSc Applied Educational & Social Research is aimed at two principal audiences:

• those wishing to develop their professional understanding of applied research
• those seeking to develop their research skills prior to undertaking PhD study

The course is available both as face-to-face attendance and as a form of blended learning involving face-to-face meetings with additional web-based content delivered by a dedicated online environment. This allows you to study at times that suit you. The classes are flexible, so you can make choices based on your own personal interests. The part-time version of the course is entirely distance learning.

What You’ll Study

The programme will enable you to evaluate, design, conduct, analyse and justify educational and social research, in terms of:

• underlying conceptions of the person, social relations, education and research practice
• first-order principles which define valid research problems and knowledge
• political and social assumptions about the purpose of research and its relationship to constituencies of practice and policy
• research strategies implied by different philosophical assumptions
• techniques for engaging in knowledge-gathering from different social and educational settings and sources
• techniques for analysing data of all types
• methods of disseminating research outcomes and emergent issues
• use of research for educational and social ends

You'll study four core (compulsory) and one optional modules over two semesters. In addition, you'll complete a 12,000 to 15,000-word dissertation allowing you to carry out detailed study in an area of specific interest.

Learning & Teaching

You'll have the opportunity to learn from internationally-recognised experts in educational and social research. You'll be taught through a range of student and staff-led research seminars which encourage open discussion and the exchange of ideas.

Assessment

You'll be assessed through written coursework that draws on academic study and reflection on practical experiences in educational and social research. You'll receive individual support to write a dissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words on a negotiated topic of interest.

Teaching Staff

• Alastair Wilson
• Allan Blake

Course Content

The course is organised into Compulsory Modules (Modules 1-4, including one double module) which, together with an optional module, comprise the 120-credit coursework. The dissertation is worth an additional 60 credits.

• Compulsory classes
• Optional classes
• Dissertation

Compulsory Classes

• Educational Research & Enquiry: This module introduces researchers to the major intellectual traditions which may be used to structure the formulation of research questions in educational and social research.
• Design Strategies in Educational & Social Research: The module introduces the main research strategies which are available within the quantitative, qualitative and critical research traditions.
• Data Collection in Educational & Social Research: This class provides you with a comprehensive and in-depth introduction to data collection procedures, across the main traditions in educational and social research.
• Data Analysis in Educational & Social Research: This class will support your understanding of the principles underlying both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis.

Optional Classes

• Further Quantitative Research Design and Analysis: This class is designed to engage researchers with issues of quantitative research design and data analysis in a range of educational and social contexts.
• Further Qualitative Research Design and Analysis: This class will engage researchers with issues of qualitative research design and data analysis in a range of educational contexts.

Dissertation

Drawing on the understanding and relevant experience gained through your participation in the core and optional modules, and applying and developing your practical skills, the dissertation offers the opportunity to engage in a small but substantive piece of research directly relevant to the participant's own context of professional and academic practice.

Entry Requirements

• Academic requirements: An undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• English language requirements: Please check the University's English requirements before making your application.

Pre-Masters Preparation Course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.

Fees & Funding

All fees quoted are per academic year unless stated otherwise.

• Scotland: £9,550 full-time, £4,800 part-time distance learning
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £9,550 full-time, £4,800 part-time distance learning
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• International: £21,550 full-time, £4,800 part-time distance learning

Available scholarships: Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.

Additional costs: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.

How Can I Fund My Course?

• Students from Scotland
• Students from England
• Students from Wales
• Students from Northern Ireland
• International students

Scottish Postgraduate Students

Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Students Coming from England

Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Students Coming from Wales

Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Students Coming from Northern Ireland

Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

International Students

We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.