MSc Social Research Methods and Statistics

Due to high demand for this course, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year, as follows:  

• 1 November (decision by 8 December; accept offer by 15 January);
• 7 January (decision by 14 February, accept offer by 16 March);
• 2 March (decision by 8 April, accept offer by 8 May);
• 1 May (decision by 1 June, accept offer by 1 July).

If we make you an offer, you will have approximately 4 weeks to accept. Any offers not accepted by the deadline will be withdrawn so that an offer can be made to another candidate.

All conditional offer holders will have until 1 August to satisfy the conditions of their offer.

You need to ensure that you submit your supporting documents with your online application as it may delay us processing your application.

Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the decision date, in some instances it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date. If this is the case we will let you know after the deadline date.

We can accept your application before you complete your undergraduate studies; please submit your latest transcripts with your online application. 

Please note: 

• All places are subject to availability and if you apply for one of the later dates, some courses may already be closed, we recommend that you apply early in the cycle.
• Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer.
• If you are a current undergraduate student at The University of Manchester, you may be eligible to apply via the 'Fast-Track' scheme, email pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk for further information.

For a copy of the postgraduate prospectus, email pg-soss@manchester.ac.uk.

You'll need a base level of knowledge in undergraduate research methods which you will build on throughout the course, to gain comprehensive statistical and analytical skills. A series of pre-sessional training materials are available prior to the MSc start date.

The MSc has a strong connection with the Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research , reflecting our commitment to interdisciplinary, integrated research. Research activities within the discipline area are both methodological and substantive. We focus on a range of subject areas including social inequalities, population dynamics and survey methodology.

The course is recognised by both the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the North West Doctoral Training Centre, where we receive a large number of Advanced Quantitative methods (AQM) and CASE awards each year.

We develop future social scientists who will have a thorough grounding in research, and are equipped with the tools for collecting and analysing statistical data.

• Join one of the few social statistics groupings in the UK.
• We focus on effective collaboration, working closely with our colleagues in data science, sociology, health, geography and mathematics.
• Linked with The Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research .

You are provided with a personal tutor and job application support.

There is an increasing need for well-trained social scientists who are able to apply advanced methods of analysis to complex data.

You will gain relevant marketable skills that will put you in a good position to obtain jobs in:

• the academic sector;
• central and local government;
• commercial consultancy;
• voluntary research sector.

We have excellent links with ONS and government departments, local authorities and many commercial organisations and we are well placed to assist you in finding jobs.

A number of our students already hold research positions (typically in local government or overseas) taking the MSc as part of a career development programme. The course is ideal preparation if you wish to pursue doctoral study, and is a formal component of our 1+3 PhD training model. You are offered support to apply for PhD funding.