Course description
One of the best things about the course is the opportunity to carry out smaller research projects within the QRM (Research Methods) units.
This means that I will graduate having already had experience of carrying out qualitative and quantitative research.
Hannah Wilson / MSc Sociological Research student
This course aims to educate and train you to give you the requisite skills and knowledge to become an effective, professional sociological researcher.
This entails teaching:
- the philosophical underpinnings of sociology;
- key issues and questions in sociology;
- key sociological theories;
- key issues in selected substantive areas of sociology (students are offered a range of options of such substantive areas);
- principles of research design;
- techniques and principles of quantitative analysis;
- techniques and principles of qualitative analysis.
This is a recognised 1+3 entry route for ESRC PhD training.
Teaching and learning
Part-time students complete the full-time course over two years. There are no evening or weekend course units available on the part-time route.
You must first check the schedule of the compulsory course units and then select your optional units to suit your requirements.
Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your unit choices during induction week with your Course Director.
Coursework and assessment
Course unit details
Throughout the MSc Sociological Research course, you will take six course units, which are:
- Research Design;
- Introduction to Qualitative Methods (IQM);
- Philosophical and Methodological Foundations of Social Research;
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Research Strategy and Project Management;
- SocialTheory: Structure, Relations and Interaction.
Plus two optional course units, including:
- Theories of Gender and Sexuality;
- Urban Sociology;
- Environmental Activism and Advocacy;
- Social Network Analysis: Concepts and Measures;
- The Sociology of the Environment and Sustainability;
- Theories of social relations, networks, and social structure;
- Sociology of Consumption;
- Science Sustainability and Society;
- Social Capital & Social Change;
- Understanding Social Change for Environemnt and Sustainability;
- Cultural Criticism: Sources for a Public Sociology.
You may also negotiate an independent studies course unit, linked to your particular research interests, subject to a suitable academic supervisor being available. You would need to complete a 12,000-word dissertation, on a research topic of your choice, in addition to the eight taught course units.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative Research Methods | SOCS60230 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Dissertation | SOCY60000 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Social Theory: Structure, Relations and Interaction (SRI) | SOCY60332 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Research Design | SOCY60401 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Research Strategy and Project Management | SOCY60412 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Philosophical and Methodological Foundations of Social Research | SOCY60431 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to Quantitative Methods | SOST70511 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Data Analysis with R & RStudio | CRIM70821 | 15 | Optional |
| Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods | SOCY60231 | 15 | Optional |
| Critical Theory | SOCY60282 | 15 | Optional |
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Scholarships and bursaries
The School offers a number of awards for students applying for master's study.
To find our more, please visit our master's funding opportunity search page.