MRes Social Science Research Methods

"UEA has a global reputation for impactful research. I thought it was important to be somewhere where research is important."

In their words

Samuel Whewall, (EDU Pathway) MRes Social Science Research Methods

“The School helped me to secure a work placement at a centre that undertakes world-leading research in cognitive neuroscience. This experience really fed into the skills that I’ve been able to develop over this year.”

In their words

Lisa Stephenson (PSY Pathway), MRes Social Science Research Methods

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Feed your passion for the social sciences at UEA. Deepen your knowledge, specialise, take your career to the next level, challenge yourself, give yourself the edge with employers. There’s no better place to immerse yourself in every detail of your chosen field.

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About this course

Give yourself the edge by studying at an internationally renowned centre for impactful research. Whether you’re a recent graduate with an interest in research, or are already in practice with a research question that you wish to investigate, this MRes will push you towards the forefront of your field.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills you need to successfully complete a piece of Master’s level research. You’ll explore and become practiced in a range of advanced research methods, and benefit from the expert guidance of a specialist supervisor in your particular field of interest

The course is flexible, allowing you to complete it in one year full-time or over two years part-time. It is ideal preparation for PhD study or if you’re aiming to move into a research-based role – such as a research associate in a university setting, the third sector, or government.

Course Profile

Overview

Gain training in advanced research skills on our MRes Social Science Research Methods degree. Open to students across a range of disciplines, you’ll also develop the specialist skills of your subject area and designated School of Study. You’ll be able to expertly apply the principles of social science research and design to your particular specialism and your own research projects.

As part of this Master’s you’ll complete a significant piece of independent research, guided by a specialist supervisor who will be an expert in your chosen field. Before applying, we encourage you to contact our academics to discuss your potential research topics and discover how we can help you explore those areas.

In addition to your research modules, you’ll undergo professional training, which will prove essential to a successful career in research. You’ll refine your skills in writing research proposals, critically appraising research, and writing for publication. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a research placement as part of your degree, where you’ll apply the skills you’ve acquired in a real-world setting, whilst making valuable contacts in your chosen research field.

At UEA, we’ve been ranked 10th in the UK for the quality of our overall research output (Times Higher REF2014 Analysis), with over 82 per cent of our research classified as either 'world-leading'or 'internationally excellent'.

Course Structure

You can complete the MRes Social Science Research Methods in the following subject specialisms:

  • Education and Lifelong Learning
  • Social Work and Social Policy
  • Law
  • Business and Management
  • International Development
  • Experimental Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Linguistics
  • Social Anthropology
  • Human Geography
  • Science, Technology and Sustainability

Teaching and Learning

Your studies will include timetabled classes, private study and coursework assignments. This will roughly equate to 10-15 hours a week of private study, in addition to timetabled classes.

You will also complete a major independent research project under expert supervision.

You’ll benefit from an academic advisor and have sessions with them throughout the year to support your learning and career development. 

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. You will also complete an independent Master’s research project.

Study abroad or Placement Year

Our degree programme provides you with the option to undertake a research placement, with the aim of strengthening your research skills and making career-shaping contacts.

After the course

You’ll gain advanced training in research methods on this course. It’s ideal preparation if you wish to progress to PhD study, or you’re hoping to move into a career with a significant research component, such as a research associate role in a university, the third sector or within government.

Career destinations

  • Research associate
  • The third sector
  • Government setting

Course related costs

Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.

Course Modules 2020/1

The MRes Social Science Research Methods is offered in the following subject specialisms:

  • Education and Lifelong Learning
  • Social Work and Social Policy
  • Law
  • Business and Management
  • International Development
  • Experimental Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Linguistics
  • Social Anthropology
  • Human Geography
  • Science, Technology and Sustainability

For general course enquiries, please contact Dr Rose Meleady.

If you would like information about any of the specific specialisms please contact:

Dr Esther Priyadharshini (Education and Lifelong Learning)
Dr Birgit Larsson (Social Work and Social Policy)
Dr Michael Hamilton (Law)
Dr Zografia Bika (Business and Management)
Dr Hannah Hoechner (International Development)
Dr Eugen Fischer (Experimental Philosophy)
Dr Simon Curtis (Politics)
Dr Simone Valente (Economics)
Prof. Luna Filipovic (Linguistics)
Dr Ben Jones (Social Anthropology)
Mr Gareth Edwards (Human Geography)
Dr Jason Chilvers (Science, Technology and Sustainability)

Professional, Employability and Practical Skills

This programme offers an option of a research placement, with the aim of strengthening your research skills and making key contacts. Advisor sessions to support learning and career development occur throughout the year.

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Essential Information

Entry Requirements

  • Degree Subject Social Sciences and related disciplines
  • Degree Classification Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.1 or equivalent

Entry Requirement

Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution.

It is normal for undergraduate students to apply for entry to postgraduate programmes in their final year of study. Applicants who have not yet been awarded a degree may be offered a place conditional on their attaining a particular class of degree.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

  • IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
  • PTE (Pearson): 65 (minimum 58 in each component)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests

INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk

Special Entry Requirements

Applicants must submit a short (approx. 500 word) research proposal in support of their application and a proposed supervisor. You can find a potential supervisor on the people pages of each Schools webpages. This should indicate their initial thoughts about a possible research topic and should consider why the topic might be important, whether there is a research gap in this area, and propose a possible methodology for the investigation. Please note, however, that the final research topic will be finalised in discussion with supervisors at the start of the course.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the academic year 2020/21 are:

  • UK/EU Students: £6,500
  • International Students: £16,400

If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for UK/EU students).

We estimate living expenses at £1,015 per month.

Scholarships

The University offers a variety of Scholarships each year to support students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study.

Find out more about the Postgraduate Student Loan. 

How to Apply

Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.

To apply please use our online application form.

Further Information

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.

    Next Steps

    Got a question? Just ask

    We can’t wait to hear from you. Just pop any questions about this course into the form below and our enquiries team will answer as soon as they can.

    Admissions enquiries:
    admissions@uea.ac.uk or
    telephone +44 (0)1603 591515