MRes in Social Science offers you the opportunity to develop advanced social science research skills.
The MRes in Social Science is a one-year research degree, combining specialist and generic methods training to equip students with transferable skills for graduate employment in the public, private and third sector. It also lays the foundation to undertake advanced doctoral studies. The degree programme comprises four taught courses, two per semester, followed by a supervised research project in the summer semester. The MRes is recognised under the Economic and Social Research Council’s Scottish Doctoral Training Programme, Sociology Pathway. The Diploma in Social Science Research, comprising of four taught courses, also offers intensive training which is recognised under the Scottish Government’s Student Awards Scheme (SAAS).
The MRes programme is tailored to provide the methodological training and critical capacity for advanced research in social science. It gives you the knowledge, understanding and competence to deploy qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis in the conduct of theoretically informed research. The dissertation allows you to develop practical, intellectual and critical skills in a substantive area of your interest. The skills gained can be used across many employment areas.
For most courses in the programme, students gain experience with specific research methods by applying them to address substantive topics of their choosing. In this way, students can customise their methods training around their particular social science interests.
30 Credit Points
All researchers need to understand quantitative research, not only those who carry it out themselves. Everyone comes across quantitative research in literature reviews and even in the press. In this course students will acquire an understanding of the most common quantitative methods they are likely to use or come across in published social science research. The module will encompass different types of quantitative study and address issues such as when quantitative methods are appropriate, how quantitative questions are formulated, research design, sampling (both online and offline), scale construction, reliability and validity and ethical practices in quantitative research and design.
View detailed information about this course30 Credit Points
This course familiarises students with quantitative research techniques commonly used in the social sciences. It begins by covering the basic concepts underlying quantitative methods and the fundamental statistical techniques used for analysing relationships between two variables. The main part of the course focuses on multiple regression analysis, perhaps the most widely used technique in quantitative social science research. Students gain practical knowledge by undertaking two research reports to assess a substantive topic of their choosing.
View detailed information about this courseCandidates must choose one dissertation course from the following:
60 Credit Points
This is a compulsory element on the MRes Political Research programme.
View detailed information about this course60 Credit Points
Students wishing to complete the MRes in Social Research must submit a research dissertation. The MRes training courses are designed to assist students in identifying an area of study and in writing a proposal to carry out work on s supervised piece of independent research of their own. The dissertation is 14,000 words in length with a 500 word summary.
View detailed information about this course30 Credit Points
Qualitative Sociology: Philosophy and Methods: This course introduces students to a range of methods used in qualitative social science research (such as participant observation, qualitative interviewing, focus groups, diaries, photography and film, and archived data sources). The emphasis will be on the research process, from project design to analysis and presentation, with methodological issues raised in the context of researchable questions. Issues of reliability, representativeness and validity, and the potential for combining methods will be addressed. Students use the course work to develop their research interests and reflect on their research practices.
View detailed information about this course30 Credit Points
This course provides the theoretical/conceptual underpinning for the PIR component of the MRes in Social Science. It examines some of the central theoretical approaches in the study of political science and international relations which will be used to critically approach an analysis of a number of contemporary issues. Issues to be addressed will include, but are not confined to, the debates surrounding: participation and disaffection; political engagement; the politics of memory; nationalism and the extreme right. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to apply these theoretical approaches to the analysis of issues within their own field of interest.
View detailed information about this course30 Credit Points
Karl Popper argued, wisely, at least this time, that all languages are theory-laden. In other words, if we are doing social science, it is impossible not to do theory, but we have a choice to do it well or poorly, informed by the thinking of others who have gone before us, or in ignorance of it. In this course we learn to reflect explicitly about that which may otherwise simply remain implicit in empirical sociological examination. In this project, we are assisted by important thinkers who have developed distinctive and influential ways of considering the social. We begin with classical sociological theory before moving on to the work of more recent social thought, giving students an advanced working knowledge of the most important theoretical tools available to jobbing social scientists.
View detailed information about this course| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home / EU / RUK Students | £9,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year | |
| International Students | £19,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year |
30 Credit Points
Qualitative Sociology: Philosophy and Methods: This course introduces students to a range of methods used in qualitative sociological research (such as participant observation, qualitative interviewing, focus groups, diaries, photography and film, and archived data sources). The emphasis will be on the research process, from project design to analysis and presentation, with methodological issues raised in the context of researchable questions. Issues of reliability, representativeness and validity, and the potential for combining methods will be addressed. Students use the course work to develop their research interests and reflect on their research practices.
View detailed information about this courseCandidates must choose one of the following:
30 Credit Points
This course provides the theoretical/conceptual underpinning for the MRes in Political essential Research. It examines some of the central theoretical approaches in the study of political science and international relations which will be used to critically approach an analysis of a number of contemporary issues. Issues to be addressed will include, but are not confined to, the debates surrounding: Globalization; the European Union; Nationalism and Human Rights. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to apply these theoretical approaches to the analysis of issues within their own field of interest.
View detailed information about this course30 Credit Points
Karl Popper argued, wisely, at least this time, that ‘all languages are theory-impregnated’. In this course we learn to reflect explicitly about that which may otherwise simply remain implicit in empirical sociological examination. In this project, we are assisted by important thinkers who have developed distinctive and influential ways of considering the social. We begin with classical sociological theory (Marx, Weber, Nietzsche) before moving on to the work of more recent social thought (including, Actor Network Theory and Dorothy Smith), giving students an advanced working knowledge of the most important theoretical tools available to jobbing social scientists.
View detailed information about this course30 Credit Points
All researchers need to understand quantitative research, not only those who carry it out themselves. Everyone comes across quantitative research in literature reviews and even in the press. In this course students will acquire an understanding of the most common quantitative methods they are likely to use or come across in published social science research. The module will encompass different types of quantitative study and address issues such as when quantitative methods are appropriate, how quantitative questions are formulated, research design, sampling (both online and offline), scale construction, reliability and validity and ethical practices in quantitative research and design.
View detailed information about this course30 Credit Points
This course familiarises students with quantitative research techniques commonly used in the social sciences. It begins by covering the basic concepts underlying quantitative methods and the fundamental statistical techniques used for analysing relationships between two variables. The main part of the course focuses on multiple regression analysis, perhaps the most widely used technique in quantitative social science research. Students gain practical knowledge by undertaking two research reports to assess a substantive topic of their choosing.
View detailed information about this courseCandidates must take one dissertation course from the following:
60 Credit Points
This is a compulsory element on the MRes Political Research programme.
View detailed information about this course60 Credit Points
Students wishing to complete the MRes in Social Research must submit a research dissertation. The MRes training courses are designed to assist students in identifying an area of study and in writing a proposal to carry out work on s supervised piece of independent research of their own. The dissertation is 14,000 words in length with a 500 word summary.
View detailed information about this course| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Home / EU / RUK Students | £9,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year | |
| International Students | £19,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year |
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Teaching includes a range of interactive methods and approaches to learning in order to enhance students’ critical thinking, presentation and interpersonal skills. MSc: 12 months full-time, over 3 semesters/24 months part-time over 6 semesters. Courses are taught on an 11 week basis per semesters. Students will typically attend six hours of lectures/seminars per week. Prospective students requiring a visa to study in the UK are advised to apply as early as possible to secure a place. Applicants received after 30 June (September intake) from students who need to apply for a visa will not be processed in time for entry, but will be considered for entry into the next intake as appropriate.
Assessment takes a variety of forms, including essays, assignments, reports and presentations for each individual course module and a 15,000 word dissertation on an agreed independent topic relevant to the Masters Programme. The variety of assessment in the programme ensures that students apply theory to practice and become expert communicators and team players. The programme is designed for full-time or part-time students
The MRes in Social Science provides you with an excellent range of research and analytical skills which are in demand across the globe.
The MRes in Social Science is taught by a dynamic community of scholars, all of which are research experts in their field.
The MRes is an interdisciplinary research programme taught in the School of Social Science. The School provides an exciting and vibrant research-led environment of the highest quality.
The MRes in Social Science provides you with the flexibility to work within the public, private and third sector organizations in many contexts, including policy.
The MRes in Social Science is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Centre (ESRC) as well as the Scottish Government Postgraduate Student Award Scheme.
We provide a number of related research centres, such as the Institute for Conflict, Transition, and Peace Research (ICTPR) and the Centre for Global Security and Governance, as well as a world-class library, computer facilities, reading rooms, study spaces and a range of cafes to suit all international tastes.
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body.
Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2.1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted.
The MRes is a research degree in the sense that, alongside courses in research methods, students work out their own specific research topic under the supervision of the department. Many students, but not all, intend to go on to study for a PhD, in which case the dissertation written at the end of the MRes may serve as the foundation of a PhD research proposal. To apply for MRes, please include a short outline of your intended research theme. This need not be very detailed, up to about 1000 words in length.
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To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 54; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships.
We are hosting a series of Little Lectures to mark our 525th anniversary.
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ICTPR at the University of Aberdeen brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary group of scholars and students to develop in-depth theoretical understandings of the concepts and practices of transitions in terms of conflict and peace.
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