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  1. Home
  2. Postgraduate
  3. Postgraduate Taught Courses
  4. School of Social Sciences Postgraduate Taught Courses
  5. Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy Postgraduate Taught Courses
  6. Social Research Methods, ESRC DTP MSc

Social Research Methods, ESRC DTP MSc

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Key Course Details

ESRC DTP MSc 1 Year Full Time
Mode of Study
Campus Based
Typical Offer (view equivalents)
2:1
Location
Singleton Park Campus
Start Date Tuition Fees
Sep 2025 £ 5,006
ESRC DTP MSc 1 Year Full Time
Mode of Study
Campus Based
Typical Offer
2:1 - More Information
Location
Singleton Park Campus
Start Date Tuition Fees
Sep 2025 £ 19,200

Accredited by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

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        • MA Cyber Crime and Terrorism
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        • MSc Social Research Methods ESRC
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Course Overview

Gain advanced training in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods used in the social sciences with our Master’s degree in Social Research Methods. This degree provides an excellent training basis to pursue a PhD, and is integrated into the ESRC Wales DTP 1 + 3 PhD programme.

You will develop a keen understanding of research ethics and governance, and learn about theoretical research concerns across the spectrum of social science disciplines.

You will learn to use a variety of research tools such as databases, statistical software, and computer programmes and develop extensive practical research skills to apply in a range of social science contexts.

Why Social Research Methods at Swansea?

Based in our School of Social Sciences, you will benefit from a diverse teaching and research environment, with many opportunities to make connections across disciplines.

You will have access to state-of-the-art technology with more than twenty general purpose research rooms and numerous specialised testing facilities.

This Master’s degree course is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Your Social Research Methods experience

Our wide range of optional modules means that you can tailor your studies to your particular interests and goals for further study.

Our academic team is made up of highly-respected, internationally-published professionals active in a range of research areas including criminology, social work, human geography, research leadership and management.

Social Research Methods careers

A Master’s degree in Social Research Methods opens up career development opportunities in a range of fields, including:

  • Local and national government
  • Voluntary sector
  • Criminal justice system
  • Social work
  • Education
  • Health and social care
  • Environmental health

Modules

You will study a combination of compulsory and optional modules covering key aspects of qualitative and quantitative research, statistical methods, ethics and philosophy of social research, and data collection methods. You will also complete a dissertation.

Modules

Year 1 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule Code
Introduction to Research and Study SkillsSeptember-January (TB1)20CR-M02
Data Collection Methods and AnalysisSeptember-January (TB1)20CR-M03
Qualitative Research MethodsAcademic Year20GEGM15
Methodology in the Social SciencesSeptember-January (TB1)20PO-M32
Quantitative Research MethodsJanuary-June (TB2)20ED-M18
Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules: Students wishing to take the Sport and Exercise pathway should contact the Programme Director Mengwei Tu (mengwei.tu@swansea.ac.uk) to discuss options

Digital Economy & Society pathway - optional modules 
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance
Theory of Digital Information and SocietyJanuary-June (TB2)15CSDM001
Computational Thinking skills for Digital Social Scientists.January-June (TB2)5CSDM03
OR

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules:

Human Geography pathway - optional modules 
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance
Advanced Research in Human GeographyJanuary-June (TB2)20GEGM16
OR

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules:

Empirical Studies in Law pathway - optional modules 
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance
Case Studies in Applied Criminal Justice and CriminologyJanuary-June (TB2)20ASCM28
OR

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules: (Either PMIM102 or PMIM202)

Data Science, Health and Wellbeing pathway - optional modules 
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance
Scientific Computing and Health CareJanuary-June (TB2)20PMIM102
OR

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students on this pathway will undertake the five compulsory modules, the dissertation and the following pathway specific modules: (Either PMIM102 or PMIM202)

Data Science, Health and Wellbeing pathway - optional modules 
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance
Health Data ModellingJanuary-June (TB2)20PMIM202
OR

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Choose exactly 20 credits from the following modules:

Linguistics Pathway - optional modules 
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule CodeGuidance
Vocabulary: Teaching and LearningJanuary-June (TB2)20ALEM18

Year 2 (Level 7D)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters Dissertation
Compulsory Modules
Module NameModule DurationCreditsModule Code
Dissertation (Social Research)June-September (TB3)60CR-D00

Entry Requirements

To be considered for this Masters degree you will need;

  • An initial degree (a minimum of a 2.1) in one of the social sciences, if you have a degree in a related cognate subject or another relevant qualification this may also be considered.
  • We may also consider at least two years relevant experience at a responsible level if you can also demonstrate that you can meet the academic requirements of the programme.

If English is not your first language you will need to have a minimum of IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in all domains, or a University approved equivalent, prior to starting the programme.

 

How You're Taught

The course is taught through lectures, seminars, group-project work and individual study. During the course you will be assigned a Personal Tutor and Dissertation Supervisor to support you throughout your chosen area of study.

The course is made up of six 20-credit modules (Part one) and a 60 credit dissertation (Part two).

Learning is continually assessed throughout the course and each module assignment has a pass mark of 50%.

You’re face-to-face, on campus sessions will be a mixture of:

Module tutorials

Personal Tutor meetings

Skills and practical sessions

Dissertation and project supervision

Employability sessions

Student welfare support

Your online learning and teaching may include:

Webinars

Academic consultation office hours

Hot topic debates and discussions

Revision sessions

Q&A time

On-demand e-lectures

Self-paced module content

Learning packs

Guided reading

Welsh Provision

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

  • An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
  • Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
  • The opportunity to create and submit your coursework or sit your exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
  • A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
  • One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
  • The opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
  • Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Professional Body Accreditation

Accredited by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Meet Your Lecturers

Our postgraduate degrees give you the opportunity to learn from academics who are industry experts, with a wealth of academic and practical experience. The School of Social Sciences is home to a vibrant academic community dedicated to understanding some of society’s most challenging issues.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our staff pages.

 

Tuition Fees

Start Date UK International
September 2024 £ 4,786 £ 18,300
September 2025 £ 5,006 £ 19,200

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

The School of Social Sciences also offers a Advancing Futures Scholarship for postgraduate (taught) students who have an offer to study at the School of Social Sciences. 

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

  • Travel to and from campus
  • Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
  • Purchase of books or texts
  • Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

  • Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
  • Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
  • Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
  • Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
  • Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • Academic writing
  • Maths and statistics
  • Critical thinking
  • Time management
  • Digital skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Note taking
  • Revision, memory and exam techniques
  • English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

How to Apply

Please apply through the University’s Application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Additional Information

Make a postgraduate enquiry 

International students contact our International Team 

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    • Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy Postgraduate Taught Courses
      • MA Cyber Crime and Terrorism
      • MA Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology
      • MSc Social Research Methods Standard
      • Gender, Power and Violence, MA / PGDip
      • MSc Social Research Methods ESRC
    • Economics Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • Education and Childhood Studies Postgraduate Taught Courses
    • Politics, Philosophy and International Relations Postgraduate Taught Courses
  • Fast-track for current students

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