5Nov
PostgraduateCourse summary
The Social Policy (Research Methods) course offers you the opportunity to improve your knowledge and understanding of the factors which shape social needs and the ways in which different societies have responded to these. This will enhance your research skills and enable you to undertake an independent research project on a topic of your choice. The research training on this MSc has been approved by the ESRC (via the Scottish Graduate School in Social Sciences) as suitable for undertaking a PhD in the social sciences. The Research Methods course is aimed at:
- students who have studied social policy at undergraduate level and who now wish to build on the foundations they have already laid before entering employment or embarking on further study
- graduates of other disciplines who wish to improve their knowledge and understanding of social & welfare issues whilst also enhancing their research skills
- those already in employment who wish to update their existing knowledge and skills before moving onto the next stage of their careers
- anyone considering applying to undertake a PhD, including those planning to apply for +3 funding from the Scottish Graduate School in Social Sciences
Modules
Course content: Perspectives on Social Research, Quantitative Methods, Welfare Concepts and Ideas, Qualitative Methods, Comparative Social Policy and Welfare Systems, Dissertation (MSc only). Students on the Social Policy pathway must take one of the Quantitative or Qualitative Methods classes. Students on the Research Methods pathway take both. Students who choose one Methods class should select two Optional Classes. Students who choose two Methods classes should select one Optional Class. Social Policy is an interdisciplinary field of study which draws inspiration from many areas. We currently offer the opportunity to choose options from a number of disciplines across the Faculty. Optional classes include: Advanced Project Module (students produce an independent project within the research interests of a member of Social Policy teaching staff), Inequalities and Social Policy, Prisons, Power & Punishment, Policy Analysis, Health Policy from an International Context, International Institutions and Regimes, The Contexts of Criminal Justice Research, Contemporary Issues in Criminology, Comparative Public Policy, Contemporary International Relations, Feminism, Gender and Violence.
Assessment method
Your work will be assessed in a variety of ways. Some classes, including the classes in the Principles of Research Design, Quantitative Methods and Qualitative Methods, are assessed by coursework and exams. Welfare concepts and ideas is assessed by two essays of 2,500 words each. Approaches to welfare: past, present and future and the Advanced project module will be assessed by means of a single 5,000-word essay. The dissertation is 15,000 words in length.
How to apply
International applicants
For postgraduate studies, the University of Strathclyde requires a minimum overall score of IELTS 6.5 (with no score below 6.0) or equivalent. Tests are valid for two years.
Entry requirements
First or second-class Honours degree, or International equivalent, in Social Policy or a related discipline.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £10100 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £10100 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £10100 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £10100 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £10100 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £10100 | Year 1 |
| EU | £23550 | Year 1 |
| International | £23550 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
There are several scholarship opportunities available for students applying for this course. Please see website for further details.
Provider information
University of Strathclyde
McCance Building
16 Richmond Street
Glasgow
G1 1XQ