Sociology and Data Science MSc

The'SociologyandData'ScienceMSccombinesadvanced'sociologicaltrainingwithrigorousdata'science'skillstoequipyouwiththetoolstoanalyseandinterpretcomplex'socialdata.Throughacurriculumthatintegrates'sociologicaltheorywithcutting-edgedata'sciencetechniques,youwillexplorepressing'socialissuesusingcomputationalmethods,quantitativeanalysis,and'statistical'software.Topicsthatmaybecoveredinclude'socialinequalities,digitalandglobaltransformations,'socialmobility,andtheroleofdata'scienceindrivingevidence-basedpolicy.Itcanbe'studiedoncampusoronline,givingyoutheflexibilitytoengagewiththeprogrammefromanywhereintheworld.

The'SociologyandData'ScienceMScoffersacomprehensiveapproachtounderstanding'socialphenomenathroughboth'sociologicalframeworksanddata-drivenmethods.'Studentsbeginwithfoundationalmodules:Advanced'SocialTheory,Global'Sociology,Principlesof'SociologicalExplanation,and'SocialChangeinContemporary'Society.Thesemodulesprovideabasisin'sociologicaltheory,exploringkeyissueslikeglobalisation,migration,civilrights,and'socialmovements.

Studentsalso'selectfroma'seriesofdata'science-focusedoptionsthatintroducefoundationaltoolsfordataanalysis,'suchasRand'Stata,andcoveradvancedtechniquesforhandlingandpreparingcomplexdatasets.Coursesinthisareaprovidetrainingindata'sciencemethodsacrossdiverse'sources,includinggeo-spatial,big,andlongitudinaldata,andoffertoolsfordigitaldataextractionandonline'surveys.Thedissertationcomponentprovidesanopportunitytoconductanindependentresearchprojectonatopicofyourchoosing,demonstratingyourapplicationofdata'sciencetoolstoacontemporaryissue.Graduatesofthisprogrammeleavewithauniqueblendoftheoreticalknowledgeandtechnical'skills,well-preparedforcareersinresearch,publicpolicy,anddataanalysis.Modular/flexible'studentshavebetweentwoandfiveyearsinwhichtocompletetheprogramme,withthedissertationtakeninthefinalyearof'study.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelors' degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in sociology or a related social science subject. If you do not meet these requirements individuals with relevant work experience, or with A level sociology and an undergraduate degree in another subject who show a clear desire to change discipline may be considered.