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Social Research PGDip

Different course options

Study mode

Full time

Duration

9 months

Start date

SEP-25

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

Postgraduate Diploma

Subject areas

Social Research

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

Social research methods are a means of providing evidence to examine ideas about society and are important to social scientists who want to study a particular problem or to test a theory. They are also fundamental tools of value to government, service providers, and to business. You will gain skills in a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative research methods and engage with ‘live’ research issues and external organisations. For example, some of the recent Research in Practice placements have been with:

  • the police (approaches to mental health issues)
  • a local charity (women in homeless settings)
  • a housing charity (experiences of private renters)
  • an international development NGO (education for girls in Global South)
  • an organisation supporting migrants in Scotland

This course teaches you how to use research tools, and consider the wider meanings of how knowledge can be constructed in different ways and for diverse range of purposes. You will learn about research methods including ethnographic and participatory tools, and the analysis of large data-sets, and how to apply these to your own work. Our staff have wide experience of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. As well as working as social science researchers, our staff have acted as expert advisers to governments and as consultants to local, national and international organisations.

Graduates have gone on to work for:

  • local authority planning departments
  • the General Registrars Office Scotland (census office)
  • ONS social analysis unit
  • PhD study.

Modules

Applied Theoretical Approaches in Social Science (20 Credits) - Core
Dissertation (60 Credits) - Core

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£6,670

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£14,600

Entry requirements

A UK Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) degree