Science and Technology in Society MSc

This programme is delivered through:

• lectures
• seminars
• group work
• guided independent study

You will complete:

• three compulsory courses in Semester 1
• three or four option courses in Semester 2
• an independently researched dissertation

It may also be possible to pursue a dissertation through a work-based placement though the availability of placements cannot be guaranteed.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Graduates will be expected to:

• possess a theoretical grounding in the interdisciplinary field of science, technology and innovation studies
• display the ability to critically employ theories and concepts from science, technology and innovation studies for the analysis of a range of empirical examples
• appreciate the methodological and epistemological underpinnings of a range of social science approaches for understanding science, technology and innovation
• have a critical awareness of current issues in the area of science, technology and innovation studies along with an understanding of how this area intersects with other disciplinary domains
• be able to communicate their acquired methodological and analytical insights to academic and non-academic audiences alike
• be capable of translating academic findings from science, technology and innovation studies into practical suggestions for public and policy contexts

This programme is ideally suited if you are looking to enter a career in:

• policy and government
• technology management
• social research and analysis
• science communication
• academia
• non-governmental organisations

You will also develop a range of highly transferable skills, such as critical analysis, communication and project management, which can be applied to roles in any field.

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fees

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding