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Sociology and Social Research MA

Develop your skills and knowledge to a high level to undertake advanced research in sociology.

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Start date(s):

  • September 2025
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Overview

Join our Sociology and Social Research MA and receive advanced training in research skills, methods, and theories.

Develop the techniques to conduct advanced research in Sociology and the social sciences.

Expand your knowledge and understanding, of sociological ideas, enhancing your career and research opportunities.

Our programme equips you with an appreciation of the philosophical principles and epistemological frameworks that underpin all social enquiry. You'll get hands-on expertise with a range of social research methods and command a grasp of the core theoretical traditions and issues in sociology.

You'll have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge research across:

  • Gender
  • Migration
  • Health and disabilities
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Urban studies
  • Crime and security
  • Environment
  • Youth and ageing

You'll receive training in social research methods. You'll undertake research to inform and shape a substantial dissertation project.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

What you'll learn

Throughout the course you will:

  • learn about contemporary sociological research from subject specialists
  • gain an understanding of the range of sophisticated conceptual and theoretical tools we apply to make sense of social life
  • receive extensive training and support on research epistemologies and methods
  • be empowered to conduct your own empirical research, supported by methods training and a subject mentor

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.

How you'll learn

Your development

Learn how to critically analyse important and pressing social challenges.

Receive training from research active academics engaged in real world research.

Be part of a vibrant research community and participate in research activities within the School.

Develop your own supervisor-guided research project and present your work in progress at our annual MA Sociology conference.

At the end of your course you will have experience of:

  • qualitative and quantitative research design
  • conducting fieldwork or document-based projects
  • analysing and communicating rich and complex data
  • communicating your ideas in diverse ways

Your future

You'll deepen your understanding of the social world and enrich your methodological skills. Our programme prepares you for a wide range of careers across the public, private and third sector.

This course provides a solid foundation for careers and further education routes that involve high level research skills and methodological knowledge, including PhD study.

Graduates often go on to work in academic settings, but also take up roles across the public, private and third sector, such as:

Our graduates have taken up roles in many sectors, such as:

  • voluntary and community sector
  • local government/public administration
  • international organisations
  • journalism
  • central government/civil service
  • social and legal research
  • marketing
  • education

Many of our MA Sociology and Social Research graduates also go on to study for a PhD.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

The School has common student workspaces, including bookable rooms as well as access to basic kitchen facilities and social areas. There is also a café on the ground floor of the School building.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

  • matriculation
  • registration
  • tuition (or supervision)
  • library access
  • examination
  • re-examination
  • graduation

Find out more about:

Search for funding

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to apply


Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.


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Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

School of Geography Politics and Sociology
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 3921 
Email: Sociologyadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk

Online

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

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