Social Research Methods, ESRC DTP MSc

Accredited by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

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Students in a classroom

Accredited by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Key Course Details

ESRC DTP MSc 1 Year Full Time

Mode of Study: Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents): 2:1
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2024	£ 4,786

Accredited by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Course Overview

Gain advanced training in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods used in the social sciences with our Master’s degree in Social Research Methods. This degree provides an excellent training basis to pursue a PhD, and is integrated into the ESRC Wales DTP 1 + 3 PhD programme.

You will develop a keen understanding of research ethics and governance, and learn about theoretical research concerns across the spectrum of social science disciplines.

You will learn to use a variety of research tools such as databases, statistical software, and computer programmes and develop extensive practical research skills to apply in a range of social science contexts.

Why Social Research Methods at Swansea?

Based in our School of Social Sciences, you will benefit from a diverse teaching and research environment, with many opportunities to make connections across disciplines.

You will have access to state-of-the-art technology with more than twenty general purpose research rooms and numerous specialised testing facilities.

This Master’s degree course is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Your Social Research Methods experience

Our wide range of optional modules means that you can tailor your studies to your particular interests and goals for further study.

Our academic team is made up of highly-respected, internationally-published professionals active in a range of research areas including criminology, social work, human geography, research leadership and management.

Social Research Methods careers

A Master’s degree in Social Research Methods opens up career development opportunities in a range of fields, including:

Local and national government
Voluntary sector
Criminal justice system
Social work
Education
Health and social care
Environmental health

Modules

You will study a combination of compulsory and optional modules covering key aspects of qualitative and quantitative research, statistical methods, ethics and philosophy of social research, and data collection methods. You will also complete a dissertation.

Year 1 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Introduction to Research and Study Skills	September-January	20	CR-M02
Data Collection Methods and Analysis	September-January	20	CR-M03
Methodology in the Social Sciences	September-January	20	PO-M32
Quantitative Research Methods	January-June	20	ED-M18
Qualitative Research Methods	January-June	20	GEGM15

Optional Modules

Digital Economy & Society pathway - optional modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules: Students wishing to take the Sport and Exercise pathway should contact the Programme Director Mengwei Tu (mengwei.tu@swansea.ac.uk) to discuss options

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Theory of Digital Information and Society	January-June	15	CSDM001
Computational Thinking skills for Digital Social Scientists.	January-June	5	CSDM03

OR

Human Geography pathway - optional modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Advanced Research in Human Geography	January-June	20	GEGM16

OR

Empirical Studies in Law pathway - optional modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Case Studies in Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology	January-June	20	ASCM28

OR

Data Science, Health and Wellbeing pathway - optional modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules: (Either PMIM102 or PMIM202)

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Scientific Computing and Health Care	January-June	20	PMIM102J

OR

Data Science, Health and Wellbeing pathway - optional modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules: (Either PMIM102 or PMIM202)

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Health Data Modelling	January-June	20	PMIM202J

OR

Linguistics Pathway - optional modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Choose exactly 20 credits from the following modules:

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Vocabulary: teaching and learning	September-January	20	ALEM18

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters Dissertation

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Dissertation (Social Research)	June-September	60	CR-D00

Entry Requirements

To be considered for this Masters degree you will need;

An initial degree (a minimum of a 2.1) in one of the social sciences, if you have a degree in a related cognate subject or another relevant qualification this may also be considered.
We may also consider at least two years relevant experience at a responsible level if you can also demonstrate that you can meet the academic requirements of the programme.

If English is not your first language you will need to have a minimum of IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in all domains, or a University approved equivalent, prior to starting the programme.

How You're Taught

The course is taught through lectures, seminars, group-project work and individual study. During the course you will be assigned a Personal Tutor and Dissertation Supervisor to support you throughout your chosen area of study.

The course is made up of six 20-credit modules (Part one) and a 60 credit dissertation (Part two).

Learning is continually assessed throughout the course and each module assignment has a pass mark of 50%.

You’re face-to-face, on campus sessions will be a mixture of:

Module tutorials

Personal Tutor meetings

Skills and practical sessions

Dissertation and project supervision

Employability sessions

Student welfare support

Your online learning and teaching may include:

Webinars

Academic consultation office hours

Hot topic debates and discussions

Revision sessions

Q&A time

On-demand e-lectures

Self-paced module content

Learning packs

Guided reading

Welsh Provision

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The opportunity to create and submit your coursework or sit your exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
The opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Professional Body Accreditation

Accredited by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Meet Your Lecturers

Our postgraduate degrees give you the opportunity to learn from academics who are industry experts, with a wealth of academic and practical experience. The School of Social Sciences is home to a vibrant academic community dedicated to understanding some of society’s most challenging issues.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our staff pages.

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2023	£ 4,712
September 2024	£ 4,786

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

The School of Social Sciences also offers a Advancing Futures Scholarship for postgraduate (taught) students who have an offer to study at the School of Social Sciences.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

How to Apply

Please apply through the University’s central application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Additional Information

Make a postgraduate enquiry

International students contact our International Team