Mie Astrup Jensen
Social Science, MRes
Introduction
The MRes (Master of Research) in Social Science is a one-year postgraduate degree designed to develop advanced social science research skills.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MRes
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
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.
What You'll Study
- Stage 1
-
Information for part-time students: This route will run over two years. Students can take up to 120 credit points in a single year. PD5006 must be taken in Year 1. PI5904 OR SO5909 must be taken in Year 2. The following courses are compulsory and can be taken in year 1 or 2: SL5011, SO5014, SL5512, SL5513.
Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
-
This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Advanced Qualitative Methods in Social Science (SL5011)
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30 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.
- Advanced Social Theory (SO5014)
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30 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.
- Stage 2
-
Compulsory Courses
- Advanced Quantitative Methods in Social Science (SL5512)
-
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.
- Advanced Quantitative Analysis in Social Science (SL5513)
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30 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.
- Stage 3
-
Compulsory Courses
Candidates must take one dissertation course from the following:
- Dissertation: Political Research (PI5904)
-
60 Credit Points
This is a compulsory element on the MRes Political Research programme.
- Dissertation in Social Research (SO5909)
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60 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.
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.
Fee Information
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £22,400 |
| Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year | |
| UK | £10,600 |
| Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year |
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
International Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3000 to £8,500, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
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.
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
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
Why Study Social Science?
- The MRes in Social Science provides you with an excellent range of research and analytical skills which are in demand across the globe.
- You will be taught by a dynamic community of scholars, all of whom 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 programme 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 meeting their research training requirements 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.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
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.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
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 - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
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.
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference x 2
- two reference letters, one of which should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employers, or other professional individuals
International Applicants
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded post graduate taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipsCareers
The MRes in Social Research is a great foundation for moving into further research, such as a PhD programme, or for careers in research and policy-making in the private and public sectors, where you can apply your advanced training in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
The MRes Social Research will prepare you for careers in organisations such as: ·
- Universities
- Social research centres and organisations
- Market research agencies
- Charities and NGOs/non-profit organisations
- Think tanks and policy organisations
- Local and National Governmental Institutions
What our Alumni Say
Our Experts
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Christopher Kollmeyer
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Features
The Institute for Conflict, Transition and Peace Research
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.
Find out moreGet in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX