Social Policy and Social Research: University of Southampton

Course Description

The MSc Social Policy and Social Research, which is recognised by the ESRC as a Research Training course, is designed to equip postgraduate students with advanced knowledge of both social policy issues and research methodologies as applied in social policy analysis.

This ESRC-accredited programme offers advanced conceptual and methodological training in social policy and analysis. In addition to providing you with the skills to conduct research in a variety of professional contexts, it also provides an excellent basis for PhD studies.

The course will enable you to formulate research questions in specific research contexts; select and use appropriate methods of data collection and analysis; manipulate and critically evaluate key concepts and issues; and present results in a systematic way.

Programme Structure

Compulsory modules

• Key debates in social policy
• Philosophy, methodology and research design in social and political research
• Qualitative research methods

Specialist modules 1 and 2 (from a range of options)

• Statistical data analysis
• The mixed economy of welfare delivery

And

• Dissertation (MSc only)

Entry requirements

• Lower second-class honours degree or equivalent