Utilise expertise in quantitative methods from a range of disciplines to a higher level than is usually offered.

You'll benefit from insights from a number of disciplines and research groups, including social and policy sciences, economics, psychology and health.

Research content

This pathway is for social scientists who wish to learn advanced quantitative methods and apply them appropriately to answer particular substantive questions from their discipline. It's also well-suited to statistically trained researchers whose interests are more methodological.

You'll be part of a group of social scientists interested in interdisciplinary research involving the application of quantitative methods from one discipline (for example economics) to problems in another (for example politics).

Projects may involve applying statistical methods used in other disciplines to social science problems, or developing novel statistical methods for analysing social-science data.

This programme includes a significant piece of research aimed at enabling you to contribute to the academic community through a large written thesis (typically up to 90,000 words).

For interdisciplinary pathways the Lead Supervisor will be from the applicants home institution and the second supervisor must be from a different discipline (a different sub-discipline is not sufficient however, the second could still be from the same institution but a different discipline). The Lead and Second Supervisors must be employed at one of the SWDTPs partner institutions – Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth or UWE Bristol.

Assessment description

If you wish to study for both the MRes and the PhD (the 1 + 3) you should apply for the PhD but indicate on the Application Form, that you also wish to study for the MRes.

Progression from the MRes to the PhD stage is dependent on achievement of a current average grade Masters (at the point of application) normally of at least Merit (60%) grade. Successful applicants must ultimately achieve both an overall average of at least 60% across the taught units/modules, and at least 60% for the dissertation component as a condition of their funding.

Most research students who ‘do a PhD register in the first instance as probationer for the programme of PhD. Confirmation of PhD registration is subject to your passing an assessment process, which normally involves submission of written work and an oral examination.