COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSc Applied Social Science program is designed to be flexible, accommodating both full-time and part-time study and combining on-campus and online delivery methods. The degree is structured around three core and three optional taught modules, each worth 20 credits, followed by a 60-credit research dissertation. Students who choose to exit the program before completing the dissertation can receive a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) qualification. At the PgDip stage, core modules include Applied Research Methods in Social Sciences, Contemporary Social Issues, and Policy Analysis and Practice, providing foundational skills in research design, analysis, and understanding of key societal challenges. Alongside these, students select three optional modules, chosen according to personal interests and availability, allowing for tailored learning that reflects individual career goals and emerging social science issues. Completion of the PgDip equips students with advanced analytical and methodological skills and a deeper understanding of contemporary social, political, and policy contexts, preparing them for professional or research roles. Students who continue to the full MSc then undertake a substantial research dissertation, enabling them to apply research techniques to a topic of their choice, synthesising theory and practice. The program’s combination of core knowledge, specialised optional modules, and applied research experience ensures graduates are prepared to engage critically and effectively with complex social, political, and organisational challenges.