This MA provides research training with a specific focus on obtaining the skills needed to examine and analyse how societies, cultures, institutions and practices came into being, how they are currently organised and constituted and how they are changing.
Introduction
You will join a department at the forefront of pursuing research-based knowledge supporting social justice. We aim to give our students an exciting study experience to understand better what it means to be social, where society might be heading and what we can do to contribute to our social futures.
World-leading experts within various fields teach our programmes, and a leading scholar in their field will closely supervise your independent research project. You’ll develop advanced research skills, communication skills and the ability to think analytically, which are essential for a successful career across a wide range of different occupations and provide an excellent foundation for further postgraduate study.
We’ll teach you the politics and practice of social research, exploring the different aspects of the research process, including the role of the social scientist and the constraints, benefits and limitations of social science. We’ll also introduce you to the historical debates about the relationship between method and knowledge and how they inform the development and transformation of the social sciences.
This master’s has an Economic and Social Research Council 1+3 Recognition status and has been specifically constructed for you if you intend to undertake professional and/or academic research in sociology, social policy and criminology.
Who is this course for?
This master’s is suitable for graduates in the Social Sciences or related areas. It will be an excellent step for those who want to undertake postgraduate study at MPhil and PhD level or become an independent/career social researcher.
What you'll learn
How to plan and execute sociological research
A critical understanding of epistemological, methodological and ethical approaches in social research
Training in general research skills
Key debates, issues and controversies in sociological scholarship
How social, public and civil policy can be influenced by sociological knowledge
Project management and problem-solving skills.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
The MA programme consists of 120 credits of taught modules and a final project worth 60 credits.
In Semester 1, you are required to take two compulsory 20 credit modules and 20 credits of optional modules chosen from within the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and North West Social Science Doctoral Training Centre.
Compulsory modules
THE POLITICS AND PRACTICES OF SOCIAL RESEARCH (SOCI500)
Credits: 20 /
Semester: semester 1
This module provides students with an introduction to the politics and practice of social research. It does so by exploring the following aspects of the research process: the context of the modern university; the role of the social scientist; power, critique and reflexivity in the social sciences; the constraints, benefits and limitations of social science. Those are explored in relation to practical dilemmas and cases studies in social science research. During the course of examining these issues research methods such as interviewing, focus groups, observation, and key issues such as ethical research and researching sensitive subjects are covered.
PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (SOCI505)
Credits: 20 /
Semester: semester 1
SOCI504 is a module that introduces students to academic debates about knowledge production and method within sociology and the social sciences. The module is structured to provide an insight into the historical debates about the relationship between method and knowledge and how they inform the development and transformation of the social sciences.
Optional modules
Understanding Society Using Quantitative Methods (SOCI503)
Credits: 20 /
Semester: semester 1
This module looks into the rationale and practice of analysing numerical data, largely derived from survey research, and the use of such data to understand the social world. It covers a range of skills from basic univariate and multivariate analysis techniques, to a consideration of the potential insights offered by longitudinal datasets and their analysis.
Qualitative Research Methods (ENVS441)
Credits: 20 /
Semester: semester 1
This module is intended to explore qualitative research methods in a holistic manner; moving from research philosophy, through design to individual research methods and analysis. The module covers a range of qualitative research methods through a mixture of lectures and workshops. In undertaking this module students will consider how research design and individual research methods need careful selection to suit the specific research problems or questions under investigation.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
In Semester 2, you chose up to 60 credits of social research methods training modules.
Optional modules
An Introduction to Data Visualization Using R (SOCI523)
Credits: 10 /
Semester: semester 2
This module will consider how data can be visualized to reveal, or conceal, patterns in the social world. Students will be introduced to principles which are deemed to characterise successful visualization, and will learn how to implement such principles using the programming language R.
Participatory Action Research (SOCI528)
Credits: 10 /
Semester: semester 2
This module gives you the opportunity to plan a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project in preparation for your dissertation. Students will be given the opportunity to do this through Interchange, a charity that links students to 3rd sector organisations working in social welfare, social policy or criminal justice contexts. Students will not be encouraged to undertake a PAR dissertation unless they have completed this module.
An Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis (SOCI531)
Credits: 10 /
Semester: semester 1
This 5 credit module is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Students are introduced to a critical understanding of discourse, which in turn encourages the analysis of language use in relation to questions of power in society. The module seeks to enable students’ engagement in such analyses, introducing them to appropriate methods and techniques, and providing them the opportunity to put these into practice.
Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis (SOCI536)
Credits: 10 /
Semester: semester 2
Ethnomethodology and conversation analysis are radical approaches to social inquiry. While distinct, ethnomethodology – the study of practical methods of action and reasoning, i.e. ‘ethno-methods’ – and conversation analysis – the study of ‘talk-in-interaction’ – are grounded in detailed investigations of how people in all manner of ordinary and specialised sites and settings organise their activities from within. Although this module will chart the development of ethnomethodology and conversation analysis and situate them intellectually in wider fields of inquiry, its purpose is to provide an advanced, hands-on introduction to the unique way both approach the study of social practices via ‘tutorial problems’ centred on the analysis of interactional data collected as part of small-scale fieldwork exercises. Among others things, the module will look at how ethnographic research, observation and interviewing can be ‘repurposed’, that is, put to work in alternate ways when pursued ethnomethodologically.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Final project
You must take either the Dissertation module or the Extended Interchange Project module, both worth 60 credits each. This final project is normally submitted in the September ending the year of the MA programme.
Compulsory modules
DISSERTATION (SOCI403)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: whole session
In this module students formulate a research question and develop a research proposal, including a clear research strategy. Students will work independently to conduct library based or original empirical, social–scientific research aimed at answering a research question, applying methodological principles and research techniques. The dissertation requires students to creatively use theoretical insights and concepts relevant to the research question at hand, to generate new knowledge about the issue addressed in the thesis and report about the research and the results in a clear and systematic way.
Extended Interchange Project (SOCI530)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: whole session
As an alternative to a standard dissertation, an Extended Interchange Project provides students with the opportunity to undertake a research project on behalf of a local voluntary or community organisation. Working to an initial brief developed in collaboration with our charity partner Interchange, students get to undertake a project to address an organisation’s real world research needs, and produce knowledge that stands to impact positively on the work that they do in the local community. The applied and collaborative nature of these projects provides opportunities to develop a range of practical research and research related skills, and to gain invaluable experience of research in the real world.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
You’ll be taught through a mixture of large group seminars/tutorials, small group workshops, one to one tutorials and research supervision meetings. You’ll also carry out project work and private study.
Teaching is delivered in an interactive, participatory and inclusive way, with extensive support of small group teaching and online learning platforms.
How you're assessed
Each of the taught modules are formally assessed by coursework on a semester basis. Depending on the learning objective of the module, this may include essays, project work, fieldwork analysis, research strategy document, report of research observation, book review or the completion and analysis of interviews.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Your experience
The Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology is one of the UK’s leading centres for sociology, social policy and criminology and has been for over 100 years. Our shared pursuit of research-based knowledge supporting social justice sets this department apart from most of its contemporaries in the UK and beyond.
Students will have access to the state-of-the-art facilities of the School of Law and Social Justice Building, as well as excellent library and IT facilities just one minute’s walk away.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
This MA is recognised nationally by the Economic and Social Research Council for providing quality methods training for those seeking a career in social science. It will give you the required skills to progress directly onto doctoral level social research or to take up employment in a wide variety of careers within the government, charitable and private sectors. National and local government and Regional Development Agencies have noted the rapid demand for graduates qualified in the full spectrum of research design and analysis techniques.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
The Social Research Methods MA is designed to meet pre-employment training and post-career development needs.
Potential career pathways include, but are not limited to, roles within:
Commercial research
Public health sector
Public policy
Third/NGO sector
This MA also equips you with the skills and knowledge needed for an academic career or a university research career in the Social Sciences (Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology) or in a related discipline.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£11,700
Part-time place, per year
£5,850
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£24,100
Part-time place, per year
£12,050
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in Social Sciences or a closely related subject.
Those with non-social science backgrounds may also be considered if their experience and references suggest support for this.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MA, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test
120 overall, with no component below 105
Pearson PTE Academic
61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic
70 overall, with no skill below 65
PSI Skills for English
B2 Pass with Merit in all bands
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
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