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Dissertation (MSc Social Research Methods) (572X8)

45 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Summer teaching

In this module, you’ll work with your supervisor throughout a year‑long programme of reading and writing. This work leads to your Dissertation.

Your Dissertation can take one of two forms.

• A research outline: You can also write a research outline for another research project or programme. In this outline, you’ll explain your research aims and research objectives. You’ll engage critically with relevant background theoretical and empirical literature. You’ll explain your methodological approach and justify your methodological design.

• A Dissertation focused on methodology: You may choose to write a Dissertation that is not a research outline. Instead, you’ll focus both the topic and orientation of your Dissertation on methodological issues. 

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 450 hours of work. This breaks down into about 12 hours of contact time and about 438 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.