Program Overview

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Social Research Methods

MSc

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Campus

• Preston Campus

Start

• September 2025

Duration

• 1 year

Delivery

• Blended learning

Our MSc Social Research Methods degree will equip you with exceptional research skills. You'll be able to apply these skills across a broad range of social science disciplines.

This postgraduate course will give you the skills you need to conduct and manage your own research. You'll learn to offer a well-informed critique of the sources you encounter in social research. This includes both quantitative and qualitative methods.

You’ll develop an understanding of key issues and debates associated with the production of knowledge about the social world. As you progress, you’ll develop advanced skills in all aspects of the research process. You'll look at conception and design, data collection and analysis, and writing up. You'll also gain an in-depth understanding of the ethical issues that arise at each stage of the research process.

By the end of the course, you can expect to have developed high level analytical skills and advanced written communication skills. You'll also be adept at solving complex problems. The experience will hone your ability to act as an independent and critical thinker.

Our teaching staff lead research in various areas. These include child protection, childhood, gender-based violence, social science methods, prisons, imprisonment, sexual offending, and youth justice. Our reputation has grown over many years. This is because we have an excellent calibre of research staff and a collaborative research style. We are also dedicated to inclusivity.

Our MSc Social Research Methods course is designed to satisfy the ESRC postgraduate training and development guidelines.

Why study with us

• Our academic staff are leading researchers in their field. They have expertise and international reputations in many areas of social science research.
• We have an enviable regional, national and international reputation for research. This has been established over many years.
• We have an inclusive environment. We help students from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds to enter higher education.

What you'll do

• You’ll be taught by staff who are actively engaged in internationally recognised social research. Their expertise informs their teaching and learning materials.
• You’ll become part of, and be guided and supported by, the wider research community within the University’s School of Law and Policing.
• Learn through lectures, seminars and practical sessions. These will involve engaging with and drawing on real-life research and research problems. You will also develop and conduct your own research project.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Research Methods
  • Module code: FZ4701
  • The module is designed for you to understand the nature of the scientific method and the techniques in social science research as applied to the collection analysis and interpretation of social and management data. Your project will develop as the module progresses and you will use relevant information from the module to justify the methodology of your case study.
• MSc Dissertation
  • Module code: FZ4707
  • In this module you will develop the ability to extract relevant information from a literature survey. You will have the opportunity analyse results then present in a formal manner showing your skills in working independently.
• Research in Practice
  • Module code: FZ4729
  • This module helps you learn and apply qualitative and quantitative research techniques, differentiating between method and methodology while evaluating research quality and validity. You'll get a theoretical framework upon which to base both empirical and practical approaches to research.
• Research, Ethics and Governance
  • Module code: HP4006
  • In this module you will progress from theory to practice in research within a clear ethical framework. You will be introduced to meta-ethical theories, ethical challenges, and the principles of research governance. During the module, you will develop a real research proposal. The module is also available in an e-learning format.
• Themes & Perspectives in Social Research
  • Module code: SW4800
  • This module provides an overview of the key issues and debates associated with practice-based research. The module considers qualitative and quantitative approaches. It consolidates and extends your knowledge of the research process. You'll also develop the capacity to act as independent and critical thinkers.
• Statistical and Quantitative Analysis in Community Practice
  • Module code: SW4803
  • This module introduces you to a range of methods for generating and analysing quantitative data, in order to identify a role for the statistical methods in the identification, description and resolution of practical research problems. An additional aim is to provide you with the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the philosophy of statistical testing, its technical aspects and deficiencies
• Designing and Planning Your Research Project: Methods & Methodology
  • Module code: SW4804
  • This module aims to support the design and planning of your research project. It will support you in identifying your preferred research paradigm and provide you with an advanced understanding of how to apply both quantitative and qualitative or mixed methods in your chosen area of community-based research.

Entry requirements

• Applicants will normally be required to have 2:2 Honours Degree or equivalent qualifications and experience
• Applicants will be required to have a minimum level of proficiency in English Language equivalent to IELTS Grade 6.5 with no subscore lower than 5.5

Fees and funding

2025/26

• UK: Full-time £9,450 per year, Part-time £1,050 per 20 credits
• International: Full-time £17,900 per year

Additional costs

As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

• Dependants Bursary
  • Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package.
• Carers Bursary
  • If you need extra support because you have unpaid caring responsibilities alongside your studies.
• Sports scholarships
  • We offer student athletes support and opportunities for their playing careers whilst they study a high-quality degree.
• Alumni Loyalty Discount
  • UK students with a previous award from us will receive 20% tuition fee discount.

Learning and assessment

We’ll assess you in various ways, from asking you to produce research reports to completing ethics forms, giving you experience of conducting real-world research.

Pathway opportunities

If you have professional experience and want to pursue further academic study after graduating then you can enrol on one of our professional doctorate programmes or take on a PhD in a related area.

This course is also suitable for those who wish to apply for a funded-scholarship programme from the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Programme (NWSSDTP).

Two alternative exit awards are:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Social Research Methods
• Postgraduate Diploma in Social Research Methods

Future careers

On successfully completing the degree you’ll have gained a strong set of transferable skills which you’ll be able to apply in many fields. It provides the natural foundation for a successful career in research, both within and outside of the academic world.

Many of our students go on to enjoy successful careers in academia and there are opportunities to progress onto PhD level study. Others become practitioners in areas including:

• Central Government
• The NHS
• Community and non-governmental
  ot-for-profit sector.

For more information on future career opportunities visit:

• Researcher careers (Vitae website)
• Social researcher job profile (Prospects website)