Programme Coordinator: Dr Paul Ransome

Please click on this link to download a copy of our flyer: MSc Social Research flyer

The Masters in Social Research is a Taught Masters Programme designed to provide you with an advanced training in the range of research methods and data-gathering techniques commonly used to carry out social research.

‘Social research’ can be defined as the systematic study of social phenomena which arise in the course of human social interaction. Data are gathered and analysed to look for patterns in that social interaction. If patterns are identified then it becomes possible to draw some conclusions about the causes and consequences of the particular social interaction under consideration. These conclusions are useful for two reasons:

• First, they can be used in a practical way in the development of new policies and practices
• Second, they can also be used in a more academic way to develop new ideas about the general nature of human social existence. These theories and policies are likely in their turn to stimulate further research

The content of the programme

Your course is made up of six 20-credit taught modules and a 60-credit Dissertation. You can study full-time for one year or part-time for two or three years. The programme begins in October and concludes when you submit your Dissertation the following October. If you choose not to complete the full programme you have the choice of taking a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits completed) or a Diploma (120 credits completed).

The programme is taught intensively with three 2-hour sessions on Mondays. Tuition is provided through a combination of lectures, seminars, group work and practical fieldwork. You will normally take three modules in the first teaching block (October to January) and three more in the second (February to May). You will have individual tutorials with your dissertation supervisor through the Summer.

Course content

A basic presumption of social research is that all human interaction takes place in a social context. It is the interrelation between action and context which gives social research its special character. All social research, whether it is subsequently used in policy-making or for academic analysis, depends on the quality of the data. Four of the core modules in this Taught Masters Programme are therefore concerned with learning about, and gaining practice in the use of, techniques for gathering data about social phenomena in their socials context. These four core modules are:

• ‘Research and Study Skills’
• ‘Data Collection in Context’
• ‘Qualitative Methods’
• ‘Quantitative Methods’

In addition to these FOUR core modules you will also take a FIFTH module called ‘The Ethics and Philosophy of Social Research’. As the title suggests, this module looks at some of the underlying intellectual and conceptual assumptions which are made when carrying out social research. It also looks in detail at the ethics of social research since great care has to be taken when investigating human subjects.

You will also choose a SIXTH module from a list of options. This module gives you an opportunity to develop your ideas and skills in a particular field of study. The options currently available are (exact module topics and choices will vary from year to year):

• Case Studies in Applied Social Research (currently two options)
• The Distinctiveness of Sociological Research
• Current Research Issues in Anthropology
• Contemporary Research in Human Geography
• Politics in Contemporary Britain (currently four options)

The Dissertation

Having completed your six modules you can proceed to take your Dissertation. Work on this usually begins in March and concludes when you submit in October. The choice of topics open to you is very wide and you can receive individual supervision in any of the discipline areas listed above. You can also opt to take a dissertation in the field of Development Studies. You will have ample opportunity to develop your research proposal, and to plan and carry out your dissertation research.

Making it work for you

This Taught Masters Programme will be useful to people who are approaching social research from a number of different situations:

• You are simply interested in ‘society’, ‘social behaviour’, and ‘social change’ and would like to know more about it
• You are about to complete your undergraduate studies and want to add a valuable Masters qualification to your cv
• You are about to complete, or have already completed your undergraduate studies, and now need to take a Masters in Social Research in order to develop a full academic career
• You need to take a Masters in Social Research as a prerequisite for doing an MPhil or a PhD (Note: The Economic and Social Research Council has granted recognition to this Masters for Research Training in the foundation year of PhD programmes in Human Geography, Politics, Social Work and Socio-legal Studies/Criminology)
• You are already professionally involved in working with, or on behalf of other people in the social sector, and want to develop your own skills and professional expertise
• You are already working in the social sector and want to take a Masters qualification to help develop your own career

Entry Requirements

Normally a first degree (minimum upper second) in one of the social sciences. Enquiries from applicants with a first degree in a cognate subject or other relevant qualifications are also welcome. However, applicants who do not possess these qualifications may be considered if they have at least two years’ relevant experience at a responsible level and can demonstrate ability to cope with the academic requirements of the programme.

How to Apply

Details of how to apply can be found on the Admissions Office website.

English Language

Applicants for whom English is not their mother tongue or who have not received a significant proportion of their education in English are required to provide evidence of their English language competency.  The level normally considered acceptable for admission is 6.5 IELTS or 570/230 TOEFL.  However, other evidence such as higher education or working in English can be accepted.  Applicants with lower scores may be required to take an approved language course.  Such courses are available in the Centre for Applied Language Studies in the University.  For more information on International English language tests, please consult the following websites:

www.toefl.org

www.ielts.org

www.ucles.org.uk

Overseas applicants

Overseas applicants are welcome to visit the University's International Office web site for useful information on studying at Swansea.