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MSc - Master of Science
University of Stirling
Full Time
Sep 2026
1 Year
There’s a growing demand for skilled social researchers who can understand human behaviour, tackle complex issues, and drive real change. The social sciences and humanities services market size is expected to grow to £87 billion ($116 billion) in 2029 (source: The Business Research Company Jan 2025). Our MSc in Applied Social Research at Stirling gives you the tools to meet that demand. You’ll learn to design and conduct high-quality social research that shapes policy and informs practice. Develop advanced social research skills On this Applied Social Research Masters you’ll: learn to collect, analyse and present qualitative and quantitative data ethically and effectively; use statistical and database software packages including Stata and NVivo; critically examine the theoretical foundations that underpin social scientific research; develop your understanding of the relationship between research and policymaking; gain the skills needed to design a research project; apply your learning to produce a dissertation on an area of personal interest. This could include criminology, migration, substance use, digital platforms and their implications, social networks and big data. A successful recent project, for example, assessed whether an 'inverse care law' applied to social care provision in Scotland, and reported upon a complicated picture of inequalities in experiences. Be part of an active social research community As an Applied Social Research Masters student, you’ll be taught by expert staff who are engaged in cutting edge social research projects. You'll be part of a research community with a strong track record of attracting major research funding from: Research Councils Government independent and charitable funders European Commission Further academic study opportunities This course is ideal if you're planning to pursue PhD research. It meets Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) training guidelines for a PhD in the social sciences and for interdisciplinary PhD projects or pathways.; Boost your research skills and expand your knowledge with in-depth postgraduate modules and a dissertation project. The MSc in Applied Social Research requires 120 credits in taught modules (usually by taking six 20-credit modules) and a dissertation (worth 60 credits). The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Research requires 120 credits in taught modules.
This non-credited induction module will help you to be aware of important skills and resources linked to the effective exploitation of information technology and library resources in your studies and social research.
This module will introduce you to qualitative data analysis. It aims to provide you with an understanding and experience in analysing qualitative data, including visual data. It’s designed to bring students from different disciplines together to enhance the range of learning possibilities and promote a greater diversity of input. The module is concerned with developing appropriate theoretical, critical and practical skills in the conduct of qualitative data analysis.
In today's world, we're surrounded by data. Statistics and data are a part of our daily lives and are not simply abstract numbers. Statistics are widely used in the media, in businesses, in political decision-making and to justify policy change. Having the skills and confidence to critically evaluate statistics and data is increasingly important for everyone. This module is concerned with developing your theoretical, critical and practical skills in quantitative research methods to analyse social science data. Together, we’ll look at the most commonly used statistical techniques in social science research.
There are diverse approaches to methodology design, such as hypothesis led, inductive and deductive enquiry, qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. This module teaches methods of designing research projects, how to critique the design of other projects, and how to prepare research applications. You’ll develop your thinking about research strategies and designs including how to formulate research questions and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research.
This module will introduce you to the epistemological, ontological and theoretical foundations that underpin social scientific research and analysis. The module examines the main themes and issues within social science and then investigates different classical and modern theoretical perspectives for exploring the social world. The module will examine critically the connection between the epistemological claims made by these perspectives and the methodological possibilities they offer by examining four key areas of concern: work, culture, life and control.
This module aims to provide students who have completed the Diploma in Applied Social Research programme the opportunity to carry out a major social science research project. With supervision, you’re encouraged to use and develop your accumulated research skills and your knowledge of theoretical and methodological work in conducting your own research project.
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