Social Science and Health Research MSc
Social Science and Health Research MSc
Full time: 12 months, part time: 24 months
Profile
Our Social Science and Health Research MSc provides broad research training in the social sciences, along with research skills related to health, illness and health care. It is for students who want to progress to a PhD or research career in universities or public and private sectors.
This course provides learning opportunities to enable you to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of the social science disciplines related to health, illness and health care. We aim to produce graduates who can proceed to careers in research in universities, and the public or private sector.
Quality and Ranking
We rank in the top 100 for Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019
Delivery
We deliver teaching via a mix of:
- lectures
- seminars
- practical sessions
This encourages active learning through discussion, problem solving and group work. Some sessions will involve student presentations, and preparatory or further reading and individual study will be required for others.
One third of the course involves undertaking a research project, which is developed in collaboration with academics in the Institute of Health and Society. You can choose from a wide range of projects put forward by our academic staff, or select your own project. Projects undertaken vary and can involve:
- primary data collection (quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods)
- secondary analysis of a wide range of available datasets
- a systematic review
In semester one you will develop your knowledge and understanding of research methods. We will provide you with regular research supervision throughout the course.
The course is research training recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) under its 1+3 system (Master's degree plus PhD) for funding postgraduate studies through the ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership.
Placements
We work with the Careers Service and encourage our students to undertake work experience placements, where relevant. Placements that have been put forward by Institute of Health and Society Staff include:
- literature searching and reviewing
- interviewing
- a collaboration with a Newcastle based NGO (National Energy Action)
These placements were extremely successful, increased students' transferable skills and considerably enhanced their CVs.
A comment from former student, Liam Barford, who took a work placement through this course:
"I was lucky enough to take part in a work experience placement with National Energy Action. This placement was arranged through the Newcastle Work Experience scheme. My participation in this placement was actively encouraged by members of staff within the Institute of Health and Society. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with them. My role involved assisting in research focused on fuel poverty within the north east of England and assessing a number of local fuel poverty alleviation programmes."
In the news
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Modules for 2019 entry
Module changes
Module changes
Modules change annually to take account of:
- changing staff expertise
- developments in the discipline
- the requirements of external bodies and partners
- student feedback.
Most module information for 2020 entry will be available from the end of May 2020.
Fees & Funding
2019-2020 fees
The fees displayed here are per year. If your studies last longer than a year your fee maybe subjected to an annual inflationary increase.
MSc
UK
Full time: £8,040
Part time: £4,020
EU
Full time: £8,040
Part time: £4,020
International
Full time: £22,110
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
EU students starting at Newcastle in 2019 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.
Entry Requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, preferably in a sociology/policy discipline such as:
- criminology
- organisational studies
- cultural studies
- media studies
- film studies
- human geography
- history
- politics
Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.
Use the drop down above to find your country. If your country isn't listed please email: international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
English Language Requirements
To study this course you need to meet the following English Language requirements:
Direct Entry: IELTS 7.5 overall (with at least 7.0 in writing)
Pre-sessional English Language courses are not accepted as an alternative entry to this course.
Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we also accept a wide range of English Language tests.
How to Apply
You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step by step guide can help you on your way.
Start dates
The course starts in September. There is no application closing date for this course.
We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
Deposit
If you live outside the UK/EU you must:
- pay a deposit of £1,500
- or submit an official letter of sponsorship
The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study at Newcastle University. The deposit is non-refundable, but is deducted from your tuition fees when you register.
Contact
Public Health Programme Team
Medical Sciences Graduate School
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8755
Email: pghealth@newcastle.ac.uk