M.Sc. Social Research - now accepting applications for academic year 2025-26
Course Description
The M.Sc. in Social Research is an innovative one-year taught Master's programme offering hands-on training in research skills with real-world data. Our department is well known for combining research of the highest international quality with a deep engagement with policy-makers, political representatives and key civil society organisations.
On this M.Sc., you will benefit by learning from internationally recognised staff with a passion for evidence-based research that advances questions of social justice. The course is based on intensive interaction with subject experts and your fellow students and on ‘hands on’ learning of research skills and the dialogues around research evidence and insights into the key questions of the day.
In the M.Sc, you will undertake advanced education in innovative research methods from across the social sciences; learn from a wide range of social and political researchers on how research informs policy and addresses key political and societal challenges; engage in ongoing dialogue with our specialists with deep expertise and years of direct experience of working in these areas; and carry out an independent research project, tailored to your interests.
The M.Sc. is aimed at:
- Graduates in the social sciences, related fields, or other subjects, who want to develop their research skills and seek research-based employment.
- We welcome applicants from cognate disciplines such as anthropology, economics, education, geography and psychology;
- People currently in employment who want to upskill their research capabilities;
- People who want to proceed to further postgraduate study such as M.Litt or PhD.
Through a range of compulsory and elective modules, practical assignments and a research thesis, the M.Sc. provides you with:
- KNOWLEDGE to understand how theory and data helps us to understand the major social issues of our time;
- SKILLS to design and execute research projects, to analyse data, and communicate findings;
- CAPACITY to develop and manage research relationships and partnerships and engage with policy actors in the public, civic and private sectors.
It will teach you how to:
- Manage a research project;
- Use quantitative, qualitative and data visualization methods to design, conduct and present social research;
- Analyse primary and secondary data collected using a range of techniques and data analysis programmes;
- Explore how best to use this research analysis to address the key questions and societal challenges facing us today;
- Engage in various ways with external stakeholders, policymakers and civic and political actors;
- Formulate and present results and findings to a wide range of audiences.
Programme outline
The M.Sc. programme consists of:
- 4 core modules on research methods (including qualitative, quantitative, digital visualization, and an immersive data studio, working hands-on with data);
- 1 module on research and policy engagement, where a range of experienced researchers from within and outside the department discuss their own engagements with policy worlds and how to understand them;
- 1 module on societal challenges, where specialists discuss the latest research on key issues such as climate change, digital lives, inequalities, democratic institutions and more;
- A major student designed research thesis under the supervision of MU experts, where students put their research design and management skills into practice; the format of this can range from independently conceived and individually delivered projects to more collaborative team projects with other students and an external agency.
Programme delivery
The programme is full time with training concentrated on one day every week of on-campus activities.
Career options
This MSc equips you to work as a qualified, independent social researcher within the private, public and social sectors. Graduates will have a fluency in a range of methods, data formats, and research designs, as well as insight into and experience of external collaborations. There are many areas with demand for these research skills, including:
- policy organisations, institutes and think-tanks,
- charities, community and voluntary organisations,
- human resource management,
- IT companies,
- private consultancy,
- education,
- social protection, health and social care.
The MSc also provides strong foundations to pursue further postgraduate training at M.Litt or PhD level, where you can further your own research interests. For example, the MU Sociology Department currently hosts researchers active in the areas of climate change and climate justice, income inequality, family, gender and sexuality, migration, racial injustices, education and changing working lives, social welfare and social protection, social movements and social change, crime and justice, challenges to democracy and digital and social media.
For further information contact Dr Eoin Flaherty ([email protected]) or Dr Daryl Martin ([email protected])