Main details
Course overview
Module options
Our academics
Entry requirements
Fees & funding
Scholarships
Facilities
Future prospects
Next steps

Postgraduate Taught

Social Research

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This Masters programme is the ideal postgraduate course for keen researchers who are interested in exploring the challenges facing modern society.

Working with our leading academics – who helped design this course alongside industry experts and former students – you'll examine issues across the social sciences drawing from quantitative and qualitative research methods.

By developing your research skills, critical thinking, teamwork and more, you'll open up a range of careers in the public, voluntary and private sectors such as with research agencies, charities, trade unions and lobby groups.

Our course also offers ongoing development for those already working as researchers or for those thinking about pursing a PhD and who would benefit from a greater understanding of research and research methods.

Whether it’s analysing local health care services, predicting voting behaviour during elections, or researching the social impact that Hull winning the 2017 UK City of Culture had on people, this course explores today’s society in all its complexities.

If you’re interested in practical inquiry and scholarship, this is the course for you. You’ll collect, analyse and interpret social data, gain problem-solving skills, strengthen communication and work with the latest industry software.

Designed by industry experts, former students and leading academics, this course looks at social research and real-world issues impacting us all.

Develop your skills

in critical thinking and research
Inquiry-based learning
Use industry software

and explore mixed methodologies
Carry out your own research

into society's complexities
Access

to stakeholders and partners

Swipe

Course overview

Module options

About this course

Our MSc in Social Research is the ideal postgraduate course for keen researchers who are naturally curious, interested in complexity, and ready to apply their practical skills in the real world.

Working with passionate lecturers throughout the course, you’ll examine issues across the social sciences drawing from quantitative and qualitative research methods. The programme uses an inquiry-based approach which encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and independent study in a chosen specialist area within social research.

For those looking to pursue further academic research, there’s an opportunity to progress to a PhD using this course as a solid foundation for multi-disciplinary research.

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Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Research Design and Methodology

Explore the key features of quantitative and qualitative research designs, including evaluation research. This module enables you to choose appropriate methodological approaches and research design in full awareness of their strengths and limitations, for addressing research questions.

Core•20 credits

Quantitative Methods

This module introduces you to measurement, methods and analysis in quantitative methods. You will look at survey and experiments and basic statistical methods and the use of SPSS for data analysis.

Compulsory•20 credits

Qualitative Methods

This qualitative module is designed to provide students with a strong understanding of qualitative methods used in social research. You will gain a range of knowledge and skills critical to the responsible and ethical collection of qualitative data.

Compulsory•20 credits

Research Impact Evaluation

The module will promote student reflection about research and its impact, by providing you with the critical skills to analyse what is good evidence. You'll be provided with the tools to communicate research with academic and non-academic audiences and develop strategies to measure research impact – two key components when conducting your own research and equally important employability skills.

Compulsory•20 credits

Dissertation in Social Research

Conduct a qualitative or quantitative research project, guided by an allocated academic supervisor. You'll be supported through a series of workshops designed to assist you with writing a dissertation, such as; research ethics, methodology and data analysis.

Compulsory•60 credits

Policy and Impact

This module introduces students to the use of academic research in the policy process and impact. It examines the difference between academia and the policy process in matters of institutional aims, demands, language, and timeframes, and how these dynamics in turn impact community groups.

Compulsory•20 credits

Advanced Quantitative Analysis

This module provides training in the use of relevant statistics software (SPSS and MLwiN) to undertake analysis on a range of statistical modelling techniques, including regression analysis, factor analysis and multilevel modelling. It develops your abilities to critically evaluate quantitative approaches in social and health research.

Optional•20 credits

Advanced Qualitative Analysis

The module is essential for students’ ability to acquire key analytic skills necessary to address their chosen research question.

Students who have chosen a qualitative independent project need critical understanding of the methodological rationale and analytic approach in qualitative research and this module provides those skills.

Optional•20 credits

8 Modules

Our academics

Taught by experienced and passionate researchers, the course has been designed with input from industry experts, former students, and leading academics to make sure it meets the demands of the modern social research industry.

See more academics for this subject

Featured academic

Dr Meron Wondemaghen

Meron’s research examines the policing of mentally ill people in public spaces, the criteria of criminal responsibility for mentally ill offenders, and human rights principles for those with mental disability.

Featured academic

Dr Alice Rizzuti

Alice’s expertise is in food crime and the involvements of organised crime and mafia-type groups as well as green criminology. She was a Research Associate for the CRIME - Countering Regional Italian Mafia’s Expansion – project.

Entry requirements

UK
International

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in any subject area

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in any subject area

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

UK
International

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 20% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Brynmor Jones Library

Our 7-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world, and stunning panoramic views of the city from the 7th floor.

Reading Room

You’ll find the Reading Room on the first floor of our library. It offers a comfortable space and a quiet environment to study – away from the hustle and bustle of the campus.

Study Rooms

You'll find over 1,000 work spaces in our library. From boardroom-style meeting venues with big-screen PCs, to informal group-study areas and interactive whiteboards.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Future prospects

Studying Social Research is an ideal route for anyone looking to go into research roles in the public, voluntary and private sectors. It’ll prepare you with the requisite skills and experience to work for research agencies, charities, independent organisations, trade unions, and pressure and lobby groups.

The course also offers ongoing development for those already working as researchers and who want to enhance their careers. It’s an excellent training programme for anyone thinking about going on to PhD level study.

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

Social Research

About this course