Sociology and Social Research MA
Develop your skills and knowledge to a high level to undertake advanced research in sociology.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
You'll develop the knowledge, understanding and expertise necessary to undertake advanced research in sociology and the social sciences. Our MA Sociology and Social Research is for graduates looking ahead to a career with a strong research element. It is also very relevant for those interested in pursuing a PhD. Our programme will enhance your knowledge of sociological ideas. It will focus on developing your research skills.
MA Sociology and Social Research is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as a route for potential PhD funding in sociology at Newcastle.
This Sociology and Social Research master's 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. You'll gain a grasp of core theoretical traditions and issues in sociology. This is in particular in relation to:
- social divisions
- social identities
- debates about justice and citizenship
You'll have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge research across:
- identity and citizenship
- social institutions and transformations
- patterns of inequality and injustice.
You'll receive training in social research methods. You'll undertake research to inform and shape a substantial dissertation project
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Important information
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Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
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.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| The Representation of Culture: Debates About Ethnography in Anthropology | 10 |
| Critical approaches to environment and society | 10 |
How you'll learn
Core teaching will be through
- lectures
- seminars
Methods teaching may also involve workshops.
Dissertation research takes the form of an independent project supported by:
- one-to-one supervision
- MA student conference
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Research proposal
- Thesis
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Sociology at Newcastle comprises a friendly, diverse group of academics with diverse research specialisms.
Our head of Sociology is Professor Tracy Shildrick.
The Programme Director for our MAs is Dr Silvia Pasquetti.
Compulsory modules (like Social Divisions and Inequality; Being, Belonging and Identity and Theories of Society, Power and Politics) and option modules (eg Visual Sociologies, Sociology for the Anthropocene), are taught by experts, often leading Professors in their fields.
Find out more about:
Your development
Our MA will help you to develop:
Research skills: research methods; qualitative and quantitative research design; conducting a fieldwork or document-based project; analysing and communicating rich and complex data.
Analytical skills: a critical understanding of social processes, social policies and social change.
Your future
This course provides a route into PhD level study and also a solid foundation for careers that involve high level research skills and methodological knowledge.
Our graduates often go on to work in academic settings, but also take up roles across the public, private and third sector, such as:
- charity sector
- advocacy
- local government and international organisations
- regulatory and environmental bodies
- social and legal research
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.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School has a postgraduate common room and postgraduate study rooms.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
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:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 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.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
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
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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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- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
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
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