Sociology

Entry requirements

You will normally be expected to have:

• A First or Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) Degree, or equivalent award, in Sociology or a related subject

and/or

• Appropriate research or professional experience, which can be verified by evidence of achievement. This includes, for example, research related experience in a government organisation, NGO, campaign group, charitable trust, or in social policy, education, welfare, etc.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Sociology MRes course will enable you to focus on a sociological topic or related area of your own choosing and to develop research skills in preparation for employment or further study in the field. In the process, the Sociology team will support you in developing your original research project and with expanding your research profile and academic network.

Key features

• A personalised learner journey that develops your independent research, methodological, and writing skills
• Regular opportunities to work with scholars in Sociology and the School of Humanities in developing your research profile, networks, and transferable employability skills
• Intensive research focus on an area of your own choosing and expertise, with tutor support, in developing an independent and original thesis
• Close tutor support in identifying a long-term career path with particular emphasis on potential future PhD study, work experience, and dissemination of your research
• Inclusion and collaboration in a supportive network of students and scholars in Sociology and the School of Humanities with particular emphasis on encouraging your personal development as an independent researcher in original and pathbreaking contexts

Teaching

You will be taught via a combination of classroom modules and supervisor-supported independent study. Lectures are used to impart the core knowledge essential to each component of the course, while also, generally, being interactive. Analysis, problem solving skills, and, most importantly, the application of knowledge to your own project are all developed through interactive seminars and workshops. On RTP405 and MHCA4001, both lectures and workshops are delivered principally via guest sessions in which the varied expertise of teaching staff across arts, humanities and the University as a whole will support the development of the broad, rounded skills that the MRes is designed to develop. Research skills are developed through classroom activities and assessments (as described above) but also in conjunction with supervisors on the supervisor-led modules MHCA4002 and MHCA4005. This close working with the supervisor, who will be an expert in your field of study, will foster the more specific research skills required for your subject. By successful completion of the course, you will be beginning to develop as an expert in your field.

Meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least 8 occasions in the year (for full-time students) and approximately 4 (for part-time). The personal academic tutor is likely to be your supervisor. By combining teaching, independent study, academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and personal academic tutoring we seek to enable you to reflect on your progress and to build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful.

Careers

This course will help you to develop both intellectual and technical competencies in research. It will prepare you for academic careers by covering the fundamental components of academic research: developing a topic, literature review, method and analysis, and the planning and execution of a substantial piece of written or practical research. Through the 'apprenticeship' model, your work will be closely integrated with that of an expert supervisor and with an academic department giving you valuable experience of contributing to and working within a community of scholars. This will allow possible development towards further postgraduate research such as a PhD. Former graduates from the MRes programme have gone on to be awarded competitive, fully-funded 3 year PhD bursaries in the region.

An MRes in Sociology will also help you to progress towards a career in equivalent research-based employment. This might include, for example, working for government departments, NGOs, campaign groups, charitable trusts, or in education, social policy or welfare. In the context of an ever-expanding information economy, an MRes would prepare you for work in any organisation looking for literate and research trained staff. Further support will be available to you via the Research School's Student Researcher Development Programme. This provides workshops in, amongst other things, oral presentations, public engagement, writing CVs, bid writing, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Information for international students

International applicants will be required to demonstrate comparable prior subject experience and to have an appropriate level of written and spoken English (normally an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6 in written English).