Interdisciplinary Research Methods

Program Overview

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Interdisciplinary Research Methods

This innovative programme allows you to develop interdisciplinary research expertise while focusing on your topics of interest to suit your career or further study goals.

Start Dates

• September 2025

Degree Type

• MA

Course Length

• 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Location

• Durham City

Programme Code

• L3KG07

Course Details

The MA in Interdisciplinary Research Methods (MAIRM) provides training in a wide range of research methods used to tackle contemporary social phenomena. It is aligned with The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) learning outcomes for the provision of suitable interdisciplinary research methods training.

The MAIRM provides the chance to study in one of the leading Research Methods Centre in the UK, with teaching delivered by highly qualified staff with a strong interdisciplinary orientation.

The programme offers participatory and interactive approaches to learning, through small group teaching, workshops, seminars and practical sessions. We encourage and support you in your pursuit of personal research interests through an independent research project and flexible, student interest-driven assessments.

The programme comprises 75 credits of core advanced methods, 45 credits specialised/open methods and a 60 credit dissertation.

Course Structure

Year 1 Modules

Core Modules:

• Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Practices across Social Research
• Qualitative Methods and Analysis
• Quantitative Methods and Analysis
• Current Debates in Interdisciplinarity Research
• Interdisciplinarity Methods for Decision Making
• Dissertation

Optional Modules:

• Systematic Review
• Advanced Ethnographic Research
• Multilevel Modelling
• Advanced Statistics for Psychology and the Behavioural Sciences
• Simulating Data in R
• Participatory Action Research
• Analysing Longitudinal Data
• Experiments in Education
• Computational Social Science

Learning

The curriculum is delivered through a combination of taught lectures, seminars and tutorials using interactive pedagogical approaches such as discussions and presentations, critiquing existing research, analysing and interpreting data, designing research instruments, searching literature, synthesising and communicating research results.

Teaching contact hours will be supplemented by a substantial element of independent learning, including further reading and research. Support for these activities is available via access to a variety of learning resources and spaces, including Durham’s state of the art library, study and computer rooms, databases, journals and a wide range of textbooks and specialised books.

The final element of the programme is the Dissertation, a significant piece of independent research that brings together the theory, method and practices learnt through the core and option modules. Students will be assigned a dissertation supervisor who will provide support through a series of individual tutoring meetings, dissertation workshops and forums.

Assessment

The MA in Interdisciplinary Research Methods is assessed through coursework. Assessments vary depending on the modules studied. Assessment methods may include written assignments, development of research proposals, portfolio work, and/or individual and group presentations. The option module Advanced Statistics for Psychology and the Behavioural Sciences is assessed by examination.

A key assessed work will be the dissertation, a 12,000-word piece of work carried out under the guidance of a supervisor. This makes up one-third of teaching credits assigned to the programme.

Entry Requirements

• An honours degree at 2:1 (or equivalent). Significant relevant experience will also be considered.

Alternative Qualifications

• Other UK qualifications
• EU qualifications
• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year. Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.

English Language Requirements

• Country specific information

Fees and Funding

Full Time Fees

• Home students: £11,250 per year
• EU students: £26,750 per year
• Island students: £11,250 per year
• International students: £26,750 per year

Part Time Fees

• Home students: £6,200 per year
• EU students: £14,800 per year
• Island students: £6,200 per year
• International students: £14,800 per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates are highly sought after by employers, with many entering professional or managerial roles.

Department Information

Enjoy an unparalleled learning experience at a world-leading leading centre for education and research in social sciences.

We are regularly ranked within the world's top 50 for the quality and significance of our research and our graduates are some of the most sought after by employers.

Our Faculty of Social Sciences is a diverse community of undergraduates, postgraduates, and academic and research staff. All 9 of our academic departments and schools are engaged in pioneering research and innovative learning.

For more information, explore our departments.