MSc in Social Research- part-time over 24 months
Course Handbook - Application Forms
Course Objectives
Course Structure
Masters Dissertation
Degree Awards
Weekend Conference
Entrance Qualifications
Fees
How To Apply
Location
The Department of Sociology at the University of Surrey is particularly noted for its postgraduate courses in research methods. The research interests of members of staff cover a wide range of substantive areas including ageing and gender, sociology of childhood, social stratification, criminal justice, language and interaction, work and new technology, health and illness, the professions, religion and the environment. This applied research is informed by an interest in using and developing a wide range of theoretical ideas and innovations in research methodology.
The MSc in Social Research is designed to provide students with a firm grounding in the fundamental principles of research design, data collection and data analysis. Students are encouraged to explore ways in which social research skills can be used to study contemporary social issues and evaluate the impact of planned social intervention.
Course Objectives
The course is designed to enable students to:
- obtain a thorough knowledge of both the methods of data collection and the main quantitative and qualitative methods of analysing data available to the social researcher.
- understand problems of designing, executing & evaluating research projects.
- experience the process of research through participation in a group research project.
- link social research to social policy formulation and administration, including the evaluation of planned social intervention
- relate their work and interests to those of research workers from the increasingly interwoven areas of education, health, industry, social services, criminal justice, market research, housing and ethnic relations.
Course Structure
The Masters course runs for 24 months. Each academic year comprises two 15 week semesters. During the first year students take a wide range of courses covering the main methods of data collection, the fundamental aspects of research design and quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis. In the second year students can choose between Evaluation Research or the Group Research Project. Work on the Masters dissertation begins early in the second year.
The course is taught on FRIDAYS from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm. A mixture of teaching methods are used including lectures, seminars, workshops and practical computer-based classes.
There are no conventional examinations. Assessment is by essays, research design and data analysis exercises, projects and class quizzes.
| Course |
Modules |
Contact Hours |
Credit |
| Year 1 |
|
|
|
| Research Design and Survey Methods |
1 |
20 |
15 |
| Data Analysis |
1 |
20 |
15 |
| Field Methods |
1 |
20 |
15 |
| Concepts and Theories 1 |
0.5 |
10 |
7.5 |
| Data Management Using SPSS for Windows |
* |
10 |
* |
Documentary Analysis and
Innovative Ethnography |
1 |
20 |
15 |
One option from
- Social Policy Analyses
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- Sociology of the Environment
- Sociology of New Technologies
|
1 |
20 |
15 |
| Course |
Modules |
Contact Hours |
Credit |
| Year 2 |
|
|
|
| Secondary Data Analysis & Statistical Modelling |
1 |
20 |
15 |
| Evaluation Research |
1 |
20 |
15 |
| Concepts and Theories 2 |
0.5 |
10 |
7.5 |
| Managing Research and the Publication Process |
* |
10 |
* |
| Dissertation Supervision |
* |
10 |
* |
| Dissertation Workshops |
* |
10 |
* |
| Dissertation |
4 |
|
60 |
| |
TOTAL: |
12 |
200 |
180 |
* These courses are not assessed
In addition to the above assessed courses students take unassessed courses in Computing and SPSS (10 hours) and Research and the Publication Process (10 hours).
The Masters dissertation provides an opportunity for students to undertake a detailed piece of empirical work in an area of their own choosing. Students write an outline proposal at the beginning of Year 2 and then carry out their research during the year. The final semester is devoted to dissertation work. The dissertation, 10,000 - 15,000 words in length, is submitted by mid August of Year 2.
MSc Dissertation Guidelines
The Masters degree comprises a total of 12 modules, including the dissertation which is equivalent to 4 modules.
Students can study for Year 1 only and obtain the Postgraduate Certificate in Social Research after satisfactory completion of 4 modules.
Students who do not wish to present a dissertation receive the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Research after satisfactory completion of 8 modules.
There is one Weekend Conference each year in the Autumn semester, for all course members and teaching staff. The two years of the course combine for this purpose together with other postgraduate students from the Department. The programme includes lectures, seminars and workshops presented by visiting speakers and members of the Department.
Entry is open to both graduates and to professionally trained and experienced non-graduates with relevant qualification and experience.
Fees are under continuous review and may change from year to year, further details are obtainable from the postgraduate website.
Applications are considered from January onwards for admission starting in September. Applicants are invited for interview. Application forms and further information can be obtained either from the postgraduate website or by writing to:
The Admissions Secretary
Social Research Course
Department of Sociology
University of Surrey
Guildford GU2 7XH
Tel: +44 (0)1483 689453
Fax: +44 (0)1483 689551
email: pgsoc@surrey.ac.uk
Location
The University is a ten minute walk from Guildford station which is a 35 minute rail journey from London's Waterloo station. It is adjacent to the A3 trunk road and ten minutes from the M25 motorway.
