Social Research MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
This programme will provide you with an introduction to the key issues in approaches to, and techniques of, research methods and design in the social sciences.
Our programme instils key skills in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. It also offers additional study in research methods from the computational social sciences. This qualification will enable you to become an independent researcher who can engage and tackle pressing social issues through the application of rigorous social science research.
SPS Research Training Centre
The MSc Social Research is the flagship postgraduate degree of the SPS Research Training Centre (RTC).
The RTC applies expertise in a diverse set of social science methods through teaching and research to contribute new insights to the key challenges in society.
It is a hub for additional resources and workshops that MSc Social Research students can access to supplement their programme training, for example, in preparation for their dissertations.
Social Research with Quantitative Methods pathway
Within this programme we offer a specialist pathway - Social Research with Quantitative Methods. Closely linked to Edinburgh Q-Step Centre, you will undertake training in advanced social statistics and data science, always including hands-on opportunities to tackle social research questions using data from a variety of sources.
You will be embedded within the wider research environment of quantitative social science within Edinburgh Q-Step Centre, one of the largest collections of quantitative social scientists in the UK, and will be welcome to attend our thriving seminar series.
The rise of Big Data and the increasing linkages that are being made between social, administrative and biomedical data-sets make this an exciting time to study quantitative social science.
Who this programme is for
Whatever your subject or methodological background, the MSc in Social Research is a flexible and comprehensive qualification that will make you a sought-after researcher combining strong quantitative and qualitative research skills with the theoretical training to contribute to important social research questions.
This programme is for you if you are interested in:
- improving people’s lives using research and evidence
- working for a government, company or an international organisation involved in social research
- undertaking further study and building a firm methodological foundation on which to proceed
- building a solid foundation for a PhD
- formalising your existing skills as an analyst
Our curriculum has three essential components, which provide a framework for your learning over the course of the year. They are:
- core courses in semesters 1 and 2
- a set of specialist elective courses
- your dissertation
Core courses
Your three core courses introduce you to quantitative and qualitative data collection, research design, and quantitative data analysis.
You will learn how to design and execute research that is able to respond to contemporary social challenges.
Elective courses
You are able to choose three elective courses from a list of recommended options. Your elective options allow you to strengthen your research skills through developing further specialisation in qualitative, quantitative and computational social science research methods and analysis. In addition, your elective courses also allow you to explore the connections between social theory and research methods.
Dissertation
The third element of your programme is a dissertation, an extended, independent research-based project. This is your opportunity to undertake independent research, under the supervision of an appropriate member of academic staff.
Previous dissertation topics have included:
- Do Humanitarians and Academics Differentially Construct Accountability to Crisis-Affected People?
- Climate Change, Conflict and Migration in West Asia and North Africa
- Managing Hybrid Social Media: A Case Study of Employees’ Boundary Management Strategies in WeChat
Placement-based dissertation
The aim of the placement-based dissertation is to provide students with the opportunity to work on their dissertation within the context of a workplace of their choosing, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.
The placements generally consist of eight weeks of research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas, from our network of contacts which includes NGOs, charities, social enterprises, think-tanks and government bodies. Placements can either be in person, hybrid or undertaken remotely. Students are also able to source their own placements subject to university approval.
Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and are by competitive application during Semester 1.
Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option via our dedicated information pages:
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Social Research | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
MSc | Social Research | 2 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
On successful completion of this course, you will understand many of the key philosophical and theoretical debates in social-scientific research, as well as mastering a number of methodological skills and approaches to data collection and analysis.
The MSc in Social Research has high employability rates. Our graduates have strong quantitative skills to undertake data analysis and strong research methods training in qualitative methods.
They go on to work in:
- national and international organisations
- civil service
- voluntary sector
- commercial research sector
- policy development, analysis and evaluation
- further academic study (PhDs)
Chiara Fehr, MSc Social Research (2022-2023)
“Studying Social Research at the School of Social and Political Sciences has been both challenging and rewarding. The course has provided me with vast knowledge of methods and theory, allowing me to learn new skills, fine-tune already existing knowledge and apply what I learned in assessments where I was able to explore my own research interests. It furthermore gave me ample opportunity to engage in a range of academic interests beyond the course through elective courses. Overall, I feel that this course prepared me incredibly well for my pursuit of an academic career."
“Since completing my MSc, I have gone on to pursue PhD studies”
Xueshi Zhao, MSc Social Research (2022-2023)
“One of the aspects of my programme that has been particularly appealing to me is the diversity of course offerings. Beyond the core curriculum, students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of courses offered by the university. For instance, I opted for the course 'Internet, Society, and Economy,' which allowed me to delve deeper into the impact of algorithms on emerging professional groups, such as food delivery riders. This course ultimately became the focal point of my dissertation. Another feature of the programme that I greatly appreciate is the multiple instructors for certain courses. Having different professors with distinct academic backgrounds teaching the same course has enriched my learning experience. It has provided me with diverse perspectives and a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter. This diversity has not only strengthened my social research skills but has also heightened my awareness of the complexity and diversity of the subjects I investigate. Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop-style classes that some courses offered. These smaller group settings, where a handful of students come together to discuss the material covered in lectures, facilitated meaningful interactions and communication among peers. It was in these workshops that I formed lasting friendships with fellow students. In summary, my time in the social research programme has been both intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. The programme's flexibility in course selection, diverse teaching faculty, and interactive workshop experiences have all contributed to my growth as a social researcher”
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.
Students from China
This degree is Band C.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Tuition fees
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Social Research | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
MSc | Social Research | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
borrowing money
taking out a loan
family support
personal savings
income from work
employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Carin Runciman
- Contact: Carin.Runciman@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Social Research - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc Social Research - 2 Years (Part-time)
Due to high demand, this programme operates a gathered field approach to admissions, with two application deadlines as noted below.
Each application round has a decision deadline, also listed below, but note that we may make offers to the strongest candidates on an ongoing basis, in advance of the published decision deadline.
We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible, especially if you intend to apply for funding. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand. If you are considering applying for our pre-sessional English Language programme, please make sure you apply in Round 1.
Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including references and transcripts. English language documentation can be submitted later but if you have already met the English language entry requirements for your programme at the time of application, your application may be considered more competitive in selection than applications where an English language test still needs to be taken.
Selection deadlines
Round | Application deadline | Places awarded by |
---|---|---|
1 | 13 January 2025 | 17 April 2025 |
2 | 29 May 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
Deadlines for UK/Scotland fee status
After Round 2, if there are still places available, applications will remain open only to applicants who are eligible for the UK/Scotland fee rate, including the EU/EEA Pre-settled Scotland fee status. Applications will remain open no later than 30 June 2025 and may close earlier than this if the programme becomes full, so we strongly recommend you apply as soon as possible.
If you apply with another fee status after 29 May 2025, your application will be rejected.
(Revised 17 October 2024 to add application deadlines and selection process information)
References are not usually required for applications to this programme.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Carin Runciman
- Contact: Carin.Runciman@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences