Applied Quantitative Methods

Based at Manchester Met's Q-Step Centre in the Department of Sociology, this MSc approaches the study of quantitative methods in an innovative way. Right now, there is a demand for graduates with quantitative skills, and it is a demand our students are equipped to meet. By studying on this MSc, you will be ready to pursue a career involving quantitative research skills within a diverse range of organisations. You will also be prepared for doctoral study, which requires advanced skills on quantitative methods recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and other research councils.

The course focuses on the development and application of key quantitative methods and analytical techniques. It focuses on the use of quantitative methods within real world contexts and a key aim is to develop graduates' career-ready skills in this field.

Manchester Met’s Q-Step Centre is recognised as a centre for excellence in the teaching and training of quantitative methods, with a national and global reputation for its pedagogy. It has innovative research partnerships with a range of local organisations, and the community research projects run by the centre look to build on current knowledge to develop new strategies, aimed at empowering and transforming communities. You will be taught by research active academics from Q-Step and other multidisciplinary research centres, including Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU), Manchester Centre for Youth Studies, and the Big Data Centre in the Sociology Department, and this real-world research feeds directly into teaching and learning.

The international research experience of these centres is embedded into the course content and delivery of the course is enhanced by incorporating cross-comparative survey data in lab activities and assessments. You will also have the opportunity to do your dissertation in collaboration with projects being carried out with these centres' international research partners. You will also be exposed to a variety of different perspectives and views within the discipline through lectures, seminars, talks and workshops delivered or co-delivered by international experts.

This course also offers a unique opportunity to develop a specialism in key research fields informed by the specialisms within the various centres within the Department. Depending on your individual programme of study you will either graduate with:

+ MSc Applied Quantitative Methods
+ MSc Applied Quantitative Methods (Impact Evaluation)
+ MSc Applied Quantitative Methods (Big Data Analytics)
+ MSc Applied Quantitative Methods (Longitudinal Data Modelling)
+ MSc Applied Quantitative Methods (Participatory and Creative Research)

All of these specialisms can be taken with the addition of a placement year.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Teaching excellence: this MSc is based in the Manchester Met Q-Step Centre, which has been recognised nationally as a centre for excellence in the teaching and training of quantitative methods. It has pioneered a range of innovative approaches to the teaching of quantitative methods (QM) and all its staff are active QM researchers.
• Upskilling opportunity: if you are new to QM this is the course for you, as it is designed for entrants who have no previous knowledge of QM. Through studying the 'Foundations' unit you will go from no quantitative skills to being able to do a simple regression in two weeks. This MSc also offers the opportunity to upskill your quantitative skills by studying individual units as short courses/CPD, with or without credit. Therefore, it has the flexibility to cater for those who do not need to study the whole course but wish to gain the necessary quantitative skills as they are needed.
• Career-focused: this course looks outwards to the workplace and prepares you for a range of careers using QM. Through completion of a successful application, you have the opportunity to do a research placement with one of our external partners. The 'Data Management' unit upskills you in the core data management skills required by data scientists, including the ability to work between software (Excel, Access and SPSS), DM and project planning, and report writing.
• Specialisation: this course offers specialist training in QM, including multi-level modelling, multiple regression, impact evaluation, longitudinal data modelling and big data analysis. This course allows you to develop research specialism by conducting your dissertation on a specialised research field connected to core research centres in the department.
• Research informed teaching: the course is taught by a group of staff who are active researchers. They are involved in a number of large national and international research projects funded by key funding agencies including European Commission, Economic and Social Research Council, Nuffield Foundation, and Department for Education. In teaching the course, staff members bring their real-life research experience from multidisciplinary research to stimulate debates in class and help develop future researchers.
• Gaining work-ready skills through placement: if successful with your application, you will have the opportunity to complete a research placement with one of our external partners, supporting you to develop work-ready skills and enhance your employability after graduation. In addition, the research you would do with placement will feed into your placement research project (a 60-credit core unit).
• Work-based data-driven learning opportunities: data-driven decision and policymaking are becoming core principles of businesses in the UK and global context. This sector is growing fast and it requires employees with quants skill sets. Through a placement, you will get opportunities to work with real life data and learn valuable experience on how businesses make decision based on data.