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Social Research

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MSc Social Research - 1 Year (Full-time)

MSc Social Research - 2 Years (Part-time)

PgCert Social Research (ICL) - 2 Years (Part-time Intermittent Study)

Information on fees & costs

Individual programme fees are linked above. For detailed information on fee status, policies, payment and funding opportunities see:

Please note: this programme is recognised for the ESRC's '1+3' studentships.

Contact information: Postgraduate Admissions Team
Phone: +44 (0) 131 651 5074/1560
Email: pgadmissions.sps@ed.ac.uk; Dr Elke Heins (Programme Director)
Phone: +44 (0) 131 650 4049
Email: elke.heins@ed.ac.uk; Address: The Graduate School of Social and Political Science
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15a George Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9LD

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a UK 2.1 honours degree, or its equivalent if outside the UK, in social sciences.

International students

All applicants must meet our general entry and language requirements. Detailed advice for international students is available here:

Programme description

The course will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to conduct social research of a high standard that would be of value to the public, policy makers and professionals, as well as to the academic community.

The programme offers an advanced understanding of the key issues in, approaches to, and techniques of research in the social sciences.

A Postgraduate Certificate in Social Research is also available, which consists of three taught research training courses only.

Programme structure

Students take three compulsory and three optional courses in research methodology, theory and philosophy in the Social Sciences offered within the Graduate School of Social and Political Studies.

Students may substitute an optional course with one from any subject area within the School or possibly from one of the University's other schools by agreement.

Assessment is through coursework, followed by a supervised 15,000-word dissertation. Students can opt to undertake their dissertations within the context of a placement.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will understand many of the key philosophical and theoretical debates in social-scientific research, as well as mastering a number of methodological skills and approaches to data collection and analysis.

Funding

Please see Scholarships and Student Funding Services for information about funding opportunities:

Scholarships and Student Funding Services

Further Information

This article was published on Apr 25, 2013