Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Study Details: FT - One Year PT - Two Years
This master’s in Applied Social Research Methods is designed to equip you with the practical skills, academic knowledge, and professional attributes needed to design and deliver research projects from start to finish. The course focuses on building your capacity, expertise, and confidence in conducting research, from its inception through to delivery. It is characterised by academic rigour combined with a strong commitment to workplace readiness.
Unlike other courses, we dive straight into the process of designing research projects that address real-world social problems. Through workshop and activity-based learning, you’ll explore effective strategies for participant recruitment and stakeholder engagement, experiment with various research methods to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and learn project management tools while critically considering the ethical dimensions of research.
Each session is grounded in academic insight but delivered in a way that encourages discussion, action, and professional growth. Instead of traditional lectures, you’ll actively work on your own projects in an interactive environment. Instead of writing essays, you’ll create research proposals in response to current social issues. Instead of exams, you’ll submit a portfolio based on your direct research experience and methods.
You will:
- Develop advanced skills in designing, conducting, analysing, and reporting social research projects using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical and theoretical foundations of social research and how to critically appraise them.
- Acquire a critical understanding of the ethical issues underpinning social research, with the ability to reflect on your own positionality and practice as a researcher.
- Learn to evaluate existing research and evidence critically, and effectively communicate your findings to diverse audiences.
- Be exposed to diverse perspectives and approaches across disciplines and cultures, with opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and practitioners.
- Build the knowledge and practical experience necessary for further study at the doctoral level.
A lower second-class (2:2) honours degree or above is required.
This programme is suitable for those with some prior engagement in criminology and the social sciences, as well as those without any previous experience.
International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 (with no element below 6.0) is proof of this.
The University of Salford welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully. The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count.
See our website for fees
Whilst many master's courses in social research focus on directing students into PhD programmes, our course brings the rigour, methodological curiosity, and philosophical awareness of an academic programme into conversation with real-world social issues and challenges. With that in mind, you will be well-placed for careers in a variety of sectors and organisations that engage with social issues and challenges. Likely future roles include:
Social researchers: Design and conduct social research to improve policy or to examine the effectiveness of existing policy. Social researchers work in research agencies, health organisations, charities, local governments, independent organisations, trade unions, and think tanks.
Government social research officers: Provide high-quality social research, analysis, and advice, to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of government policies and programmes. As part of the civil service, you can work for various government departments, such as education, health, justice, and transport.
Policy analysts: Research and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes on society and the economy. Policy analysts can work in healthcare, think tanks, consultancy firms, and charitable and private sector bodies.
Project managers: Are responsible for leading, planning, delivering, and evaluating organisational projects. Found in the private and public sectors, they work with stakeholders, lead teams, and coordinate partners to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
Local government officers: Engaged in research, policy development, and service provision activities. Especially those involved in commissioning, monitoring, and evaluating service provision.
Consultants: Providing expert advice and guidance to clients on specific issues or projects. Consultants can work in various fields, such as management, health, or education. They commonly undertake or commission research on behalf of clients.
Finally, many graduates with high-quality social research knowledge and skills often go on to establish their own research agencies and social enterprises.
Core modules
Applied Research in Practice
Making Methods
Supporting Research: Leadership and Impact
Social Sciences Postgraduate Dissertation
Optional modules
You can take one optional module from the core modules on the other courses within this suite of postgraduate courses.
Changing Lives: Living with Justice and Injustice (CJPP)
Making Change Happen (ESC)
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