THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026
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Degree Programme Specification
MSc in Social Research
 

MSc in Social Research

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. This information is created when new programmes are established and is only updated periodically as programmes are formally reviewed. It is therefore only accurate on the date of last revision.
Awarding institution: The University of Edinburgh
Teaching institution: The University of Edinburgh
Programme accredited by: University of Edinburgh
Final award: MSc
Programme title: MSc in Social Research
UCAS code: N/A
Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s): Social Policy
Postholder with overall responsibility for QA:
Date of production/revision: October 2013
Further Information: View the prospectus entry for this programme

External summary
The MSc in Social Research combines compulsory training in a combination of quantitative and qualitative social research skills, as well as the essentials of research design.This programme is unique in the Graduate School in so far as it is structured to reach across the subject areas within the School. It also offers the option of a placement-based dissertation. Students typically have backgrounds in Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work, or Politics, but many originate from other disciplines. Others may have been working previously in a social research environment. The MSc is ideal for those looking to pursue a career in social research, as well as a preliminary step towards doctoral research in the social sciences. Alumni usually find work as social researchers in local, national and international organisations in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, as well as some in the commercial sector.

The MSc in Social research is designed to provide a firm grounding in the theory, philosophy and methods of social research, as well as opportunities to develop an area of substantive interest within the social sciences.

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

Educational aims of programme

The MSc in Social Research will extend and deepen a practical understanding of the approaches, methods and meanings of research in a social context.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding
To understand the potential, strengths and limitations of particular methodologies employed in social research

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry
The application of conceptual, analytical, critical and practical methods to the study of social issues.

The ability to design and conduct appropriate research into social issues.

The competence to present cogent analysis.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

By the end of the degree programme, on the basis of taught courses and independent learning, students should:

  • appreciate the different fundamental ontological and epistemological approaches to social research
  • acquire an understanding of the various methods of creating data and analysing it, both quantitatively and qualitatively
  • be able to design social research projects under varied requirements
  • be able to carry out analyses of qualitative and quantitative data
  • have acquired other advanced research training in social science skills
  • understand the ethical and practical implications of conducting social research
  • have participated in group discussions and been involved in active group learning
  • gained experience in accessing and critically analysing documents and reports, including web resources
  • gained experience in the critical analysis of statistics and their use in research reports/papers

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication
  • The ability to conduct social research, through identifying social issues, creating appropriate data and analysing them in a systematic way.
  • The skills in using a variety of research strategies, methods and techniques in an appropriate way.
  • The ability to present and communicate ideas, theories and empirical findings to an audience.
  • The skills of working with others in a common research endeavour.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

By the end of the degree, students would be expected:

  • To manage a programme of course work and deadlines, to an advanced standard and to set criteria
  • To manage an independent research study, requiring the ability to produce a feasible work plan, to adapt to changes, to negotiate with others (MSc)
  • To work productively independently as well as a team member

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

By the end of the degree, students would be expected:

  • To have developed a range of research skills, including a selection from the following methods of data collection and analysis:
    • Questionnaire and survey design, interviewing, focus groups, use of the internet for data gathering
    • Descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and dispersion, exploratory data analysis, sampling, inference and measures of association, the use, modelling and interpretation of multivariate data, working with datasets
    • The use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and at least one qualitative data package
  • To have in-depth knowledge of, and developed abilities to apply, research skills and considerations in undertaking research. Particular aspects of this are:
    • Research design
    • Evaluation and practice in data collection methods
    • Ethical considerations
    • Discussion of the context of research
    • Familiarity with data sources, with particular attention to institutional and agency records, statistics and legislative reports and articles
    • Effective and ethical dissemination of research findings
  • To access literature and policy documents through bibliographic and other search techniques and the use of academic, policy and other sources
  • To have gained experience in accessing and critically analysing policy documents and reports, including web resources
  • Ability to use quantitative analysis software (SPSS) as well as qualitative analysis software (such as NVivo)

Programme structure and features
The programme lasts for 12 months for full-time students and 24 months for part-time students.

There are 3 compulsory courses:

Research Skills in the Social Sciences: Data Collection
Core Quantitative Data Analysis
Research Design

In addition, students are required to take 3 optional courses over the period of their programme. These would normally be chosen from the various research skills courses offered within the Graduate School (http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/gradschool/research_training/index.php). However, by agreement with the Programme Director, students may substitute other courses from the range of substantive courses and other skills courses that are available across the university.

On successful completion of the 6 courses, students may progress to the dissertation, which comprises a 15,000 word research project over a period of 4 months (full-time). It is possible, by agreement with an external organisation in Scotland, to carry out the dissertation through a placement.


  Degree Type: Postgraduate Research Masters/Diploma      
NYT Course S L CT
  Core Courses      
  Research Skills in the Social Sciences: Data Collection J 11 20
  Core Quantitative Data Analysis J 11 20
  Research Design J 11 20
  PLUS      
  Three optional courses across both semesters      
  (Normally semester 1)      
  A course with more substantive content chosen from across the social sciences J 11 20
  (Normally semester 2) (these are given as a typical example)      
  The Documents of Life J 11 20
  Qualitative Methods and Ethnographic Fieldwork J 11 20
  Intermediate inferential statistics: testing and modelling J 11 20
  OR, by agreement with the Programme Director, the substitution of one or more of these options with other postgraduate research skills or substantive courses offered at the appropriate level and number of credits A-Q 11 20
  Students with prior knowledge may apply for exemptions from core course skills. In such eventuality and with the agreement of the Programme Director, they may submit another appropriate 20 credit course.
  PLUS      
  Dissertation MSc in Social Research J 11 60

 

Optional Courses

PGSP11157 - Survey Methods and Data
PGSP11012 - Listening to Children: Research and Consultation
PGSP11188 - Qualitative Methods and Ethnographic Fieldwork
PGSP11017 - Explanation and Understanding in Social and Political Research
SCWR11001 - Reflexivity in Qualitative Research
PGSP11104 - Comparative Analysis of Social and Public Policy
CNST11036 - Conducting Research Interviews
PGSP11110 - Analysing Qualitative Data
PGSP11276 - Contemporary Social Theory
PGSP11302 - The Documents of Life
PGSP11321 - Intermediate inferential statistics: testing and modelling
PGSP11372 - Social Network Analysis: Mapping and Exploring the Network Society
CNST11073 - Advancing Ethical Research Practice
CNST11074 - Arts-informed Research Methods in the Social Sciences

 

Teaching and learning methods and strategies
Most course options are taught in the form of seminars. There is no standard format amongst the various options but seminars usually include an introduction to the topic, structured discussion and student involvement. Options will generally be taught for 2 or 3 hours during weeks 1-10 or weeks 1-11. Students also attend tutorial groups which provide opportunities for intensive reading discussions and collective discussion. Students are expected to undertake independent study, including preparation for taught sessions, attendance at relevant University seminars, and attending relevant external events (e.g. public debates and conferences).

All students undertaking a dissertation (a 15,000 word independent research study) link with an academic supervisor, who provides advice and guidance to the student at important stages.
Students are able to take advantage of Innovative Learning Week in Semester 2 week 6. During this week ‘normal’ teaching is suspended which provides space outwith the curriculum for staff and students to explore learning activities. This week contains such activities as career development with alumni, visits to relevant local organisations, and novel research methods.

Students also have the opportunity of having a two-week placement with an organisation of their choice and subsequently write their dissertation on the basis of the work they undertook with the relevant organisation.

Students have access to the full range of facilities in SSPS and the University more widely. The University Library contains extensive holdings and computerised databases covering all the main journals and other types of publication. The National Library of Scotland, a copyright library, is near at hand. It is also possible to gain access to the Library of the Scottish Executive when extensive consultation of government documents, reports or other specialist documents is required. The University also has very extensive computing facilities.

Finally, students can take advantage of the range of conferences, seminars, workshops and other activities organised by the School of Social and Political Science.

Assessment methods and strategies
Courses can be assessed by as diverse range of methods and often take the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit.

A range of assessment methods are used: primarily written work (such as policy analysis, research proposals, and academic essays) as well as group work and oral presentations.

Students have opportunities to provide individual feedback on each course taken. They have opportunities within the core courses to reflect upon learning and to discuss improvements and developments. Open meetings are held with students on the programme, to discuss improvements and developments. The Graduate School has representative structures for students to feed into school-wide discussions and decisions.

Career opportunities
Alumni usually find work as social researchers in local, national and international organisations in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, as well as some in the commercial sector. About one third of the alumni continue their studies at doctoral level. The Masters has a 90% employability rate in areas of work and further studies closely relevant to social research –the 10% which are left do find jobs but usually in areas quite different from the actual content of their studies (source: University of Edinburgh Careers Office, data from spring 2013)

Other items

Further information

View the prospectus entry for this programme
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