Social Sciences and Humanities MRes

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The MRes program develops research and analytical skills through a substantial research project and modules covering research methodology, subject-specific topics, and professional skills. It offers pathways in Social Research, Criminal Psychology, Humanities, or Journalism, preparing graduates for higher-level professional roles or further research, including PhD studies.

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Degree Overview:

The Master of Research (MRes) is a flexible, challenging, and inspirational program designed to develop wide-ranging research and analytical skills. Students complete a substantial research project under the supervision of academic experts. The program offers named MRes awards in Social Research, Criminal Psychology, Humanities, or Journalism, depending on the chosen subject pathway.

Objectives:

• Develop critical awareness of current debates, problems, and developments in the chosen subject area.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of research methods, techniques, and originality in research practice.
• Enhance critical thinking, evaluation, and analysis skills to test theories and engage in academic debate.
• Improve employability for higher-level professional employment.

Outline:

The MRes program consists of a substantial research project preceded by modules in research methodology and a choice of subject-specific modules.

Modules:

• Research Philosophy and Methodology (20 credits): Introduces the main theoretical approaches to understanding the social world, addressing questions about knowledge and its construction.
• A Taught Introduction to Your Subject of Choice (20 credits): Students choose one module from Politics and Power; Social Theory and Social Justice; and Politics and Society (Social Research), a specialist module introducing them to the discipline (Criminal Psychology), approaches to research in the humanities (Humanities), or communication theories and ethics applied to journalism (Journalism).
• Introduction to Research Methods (20 credits): Provides a firm grasp of research methods across the humanities and social sciences, covering how to explore existing research, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and using archives and documentary analysis.
• Advanced Research Methods (20 credits): Builds on the introductory module, exploring and developing specialized research, data collection, and analytical techniques in more depth.
Students select a minimum of eight masterclasses from a wide-ranging menu, agreed upon with their academic supervisor.
• Personal Development for Researchers (20 credits): Develops professional skills valuable for future research endeavors, covering communication and dissemination of research findings, research management, finance, funding, and resources, and approaches to engagement and impact.
• Independent Research Project (80 credits): Students complete a substantial independent research program consisting of a literature review and original research, culminating in a 20,000-word thesis and a critical reflection on the research process.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary across the curriculum to include both written and oral communication and to reflect both academic and professional skills. All modules have more than one type of assessment. Assessment techniques often simulate professional employment as a researcher, such as producing research outputs and presenting to peers at a conference.

Teaching:

The course offers a clear progression to independent learning, moving from critical engagement to hands-on real-world learning through the research project. Teaching begins with more traditional and structured modules, advancing to more student-focused research masterclass modules with smaller cohorts, followed by the supervised independent research project. There is a strong emphasis on skills development throughout the program.

Careers:

The MRes could lead to an academic research position or a role as a researcher or research manager in the public, private, or voluntary sectors. The skills gained on the program are highly valued by employers from a wide range of settings, especially those where research is harnessed to solve problems related to professional practice. The qualification also paves the way to new opportunities, responsibilities, and promotion prospects for individuals taking the MRes as part of their continuing professional development. Additionally, the MRes program provides an excellent platform for advancing to PhD research and a future career in academic research.

Other:

• The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, drawing on best practice from different sectors and learning how they take distinctive approaches to research and knowledge production.
• Students benefit from sharing ideas and fresh perspectives with individuals from different settings, such as police officers, social workers, journalists, and heritage sector professionals.
• The program promotes the co-production of research between students and University staff, providing opportunities to contribute to significant research outputs.
• The University has thriving links with employers and stakeholders in sectors such as local government, national and international social policy, heritage, and criminal justice, opening up opportunities for collaborative research.
• The program offers flexibility, allowing students to study for the full MRes award or complete shorter programs culminating in a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
• The Postgraduate Diploma route entails a shorter final research project and leads to a named award in the chosen specialism.
Students can also take just the three research training modules to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods in the Social Sciences and Humanities.

• UK fee£9,450 for the full course (2024/25)
• International fee£14,900 for the full course (2024/25)