Master of Arts Social Research Methods

This programme is designed to prepare you to successfully undertake postgraduate study at MPhil and PhD level, or to become an independent/career social researcher.

It has Economic and Social Research Council 1+3 Recognition status and has been specifically constructed for you if you intend to undertake professional and/or academic research in sociology, social policy and criminology. It provides an excellent broad-based practical grounding in research techniques. You are introduced to the principles of research design and strategy, as well as qualitative and quantitative data-analysis and presentation. Practical skills are developed through task-based activity.

Why Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology?

Our work makes a tangible difference to society

Our research over the past five years has led to changes in criminal justice policy and procedure, changes in the way that public bodies are audited, and has led to the establishment of best practice in the evaluation of large-scale arts and cultural programmes.

An exciting study experience

Whether economic or cultural inequalities, the dangers of our online lifestyles, the definitions and consequences of crime or the social dimensions associated with problems such as health, we aim to give our students an exciting study experience in order to better understand what it means to be social, where society might be heading and what we can do to contribute to all our social futures.