COURSE CURRICULUM

In the first year of the MSc in Applied Social Research, students follow a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop core research skills and subject-specific knowledge. During the autumn semester, students complete compulsory modules in Research Design and Process, which provides essential guidance on planning and conducting research, and Introduction to Information Technology and Library Services, which supports access to research resources. Students also select 20 credits from quantitative data analysis modules, choosing between Quantitative Data Analysis and Quantitative Research Methods, to build strong analytical capabilities. In addition, students choose 20 credits from a range of applied social research options, including Criminological Perspectives, Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice Work, Reflexivity and Observation, or The Politics of Policy Analysis, allowing for a tailored focus based on individual interests. The autumn semester also introduces the dissertation, a 60-credit research project that continues into the spring and summer. In the spring semester, students undertake a compulsory module in Qualitative Data Analysis, equipping them with skills to handle complex qualitative datasets. They also select 40 credits from applied social research options, including The Nature of Social Enquiry, Advanced Quantitative Methods, Criminalisation, Social Control and Human Rights, Drug Use: Policy and Interventions, or Research Methods in Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies, further enhancing their methodological expertise and ability to apply research in practical and policy-relevant contexts.