Introduction
The MRes (Master of Research) in Social Science is a one-year postgraduate degree designed to develop advanced social science research skills.
The University of Aberdeen is ranked 5th in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (Guardian University Guide 2025) and 7th in the UK for Sociology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MRes
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The MRes in Social Science is a one-year research degree, combining specialist and generic methods training to equip students with transferable skills for graduate employment in the public, private and third sector. It also lays the foundation to undertake advanced doctoral studies.
This Masters programme, recognised under the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Scottish Doctoral Training Programme, Sociology Pathway, is tailored to provide the methodological training and critical capacity for advanced research in social science. The Diploma in Social Science Research, comprising of four taught courses, also offers intensive training which is recognised under the Scottish Government’s Student Awards Scheme (SAAS).
Combining taught courses with a supervised research project, the MRes in Social Science is tailored to provide the methodological training and critical capacity for advanced research in social science. You will develop the knowledge, understanding, and competence to deploy qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis in the conduct of theoretically informed research.
With the opportunity to gain experience in the research methods taught by applying them to topics of your choosing, you are able to customise your training around your particular social science interests.
The dissertation also allows you to develop practical, intellectual, and critical skills in a substantive area of your interest. The skills gained can be used across many employment areas.
What You'll Study
- Stage 1
-
Information for part-time students: This route will run over two years. Students can take up to 120 credit points in a single year. PD5006 must be taken in Year 1. PI5904 OR SO5909 must be taken in Year 2. The following courses are compulsory and can be taken in year 1 or 2: SL5011, SO5014, SL5512, SL5513.
Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
-
This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Advanced Qualitative Methods in Social Science (SL5011)
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30 Credit Points
Qualitative Sociology: Philosophy and Methods: This course introduces students to a range of methods used in qualitative social science research (such as participant observation, qualitative interviewing, focus groups, diaries, photography and film, and archived data sources). The emphasis will be on the research process, from project design to analysis and presentation, with methodological issues raised in the context of researchable questions. Issues of reliability, representativeness and validity, and the potential for combining methods will be addressed. Students use the course work to develop their research interests and reflect on their research practices.
- Advanced Social Theory (SO5014)
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30 Credit Points
Karl Popper argued, wisely, at least this time, that all languages are theory-laden. In other words, if we are doing social science, it is impossible not to do theory, but we have a choice to do it well or poorly, informed by the thinking of others who have gone before us, or in ignorance of it. In this course we learn to reflect explicitly about that which may otherwise simply remain implicit in empirical sociological examination. In this project, we are assisted by important thinkers who have developed distinctive and influential ways of considering the social. We begin with classical sociological theory before moving on to the work of more recent social thought, giving students an advanced working knowledge of the most important theoretical tools available to jobbing social scientists.
- Stage 2
-
Compulsory Courses
- Advanced Quantitative Methods in Social Science (SL5512)
-
30 Credit Points
All researchers need to understand quantitative research, not only those who carry it out themselves. Everyone comes across quantitative research in literature reviews and even in the press. In this course students will acquire an understanding of the most common quantitative methods they are likely to use or come across in published social science research. The module will encompass different types of quantitative study and address issues such as when quantitative methods are appropriate, how quantitative questions are formulated, research design, sampling (both online and offline), scale construction, reliability and validity and ethical practices in quantitative research and design.
- Advanced Quantitative Analysis in Social Science (SL5513)
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30 Credit Points
This course familiarises students with quantitative research techniques commonly used in the social sciences. It begins by covering the basic concepts underlying quantitative methods and the fundamental statistical techniques used for analysing relationships between two variables. The main part of the course focuses on multiple regression analysis, perhaps the most widely used technique in quantitative social science research. Students gain practical knowledge by undertaking two research reports to assess a substantive topic of their choosing.
- Stage 3
-
Compulsory Courses
Candidates must take one dissertation course from the following:
- Dissertation in Social Research (SO5909)
-
60 Credit Points
Students wishing to complete the MRes in Social Research must submit a research dissertation. The MRes training courses are designed to assist students in identifying an area of study and in writing a proposal to carry out work on s supervised piece of independent research of their own. The dissertation is 14,000 words in length with a 500 word summary.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £23,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| UK | £10,600 |
| Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year |
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Teaching includes a range of interactive methods and approaches to learning in order to enhance students’ critical thinking, presentation and interpersonal skills. MSc: 12 months full-time, over 3 semesters/24 months part-time over 6 semesters.
Courses are taught on an 11 week basis per semesters. Students will typically attend six hours of lectures/seminars per week. Prospective students requiring a visa to study in the UK are advised to apply as early as possible to secure a place.
Applicants received after 30 June (September intake) from students who need to apply for a visa will not be processed in time for entry, but will be considered for entry into the next intake as appropriate.
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Assessment takes a variety of forms, including essays, assignments, reports and presentations for each individual course module and a 15,000 word dissertation on an agreed independent topic relevant to the Masters Programme. The variety of assessment in the programme ensures that students apply theory to practice and become expert communicators and team players. The programme is designed for full-time or part-time students
Why Study Social Science?
- Study at a nationally recognised university for sociology and policy. The University of Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in Scotland for Sociology (Complete University Guide 2025), 5th in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (Guardian University Guide 2025) and 7th in the UK for Sociology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
- The University of Aberdeen is ranked 2nd in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction in Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology (National Student Survey 2024)
- The Department of Sociology at the University of Aberdeen enjoys a reputation as one of the leading centres for the study of sociology in the UK, being recognised nationally and internationally for the outstanding quality of teaching and research
- The School of Social Science boasts an excellent faculty with substantial experience in training social scientists in research methods. The School’s methodological training has been recognised by the ESRC via the Masters in Research (MRes) Social Anthropology and MRes Social Science programmes for many years
- This interdisciplinary programme is taught by a dynamic community of scholars who are all research experts in their fields
- In the most recent Research Excellence Framework review, the research quality of the Department of Sociology within The School of Social Sciences was judged as 'Excellent’
- You will benefit from related research centres such as the Institute for Conflict, Transition, and Peace Research (ICTPR), the Centre for Global Security and Governance, the Just Transition Lab, and more
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body.
Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2.1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted.
The MRes is a research degree in the sense that, alongside courses in research methods, students work out their own specific research topic under the supervision of the department. Many students, but not all, intend to go on to study for a PhD, in which case the dissertation written at the end of the MRes may serve as the foundation of a PhD research proposal. To apply for MRes, please include a short outline of your intended research theme. This need not be very detailed, up to about 1000 words in length.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference x 2
- two reference letters, one of which should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employers, or other professional individuals
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
The MRes in Social Research is a great foundation for moving into further research, such as a PhD programme, or for careers in research and policymaking in the private and public sectors, where you can apply your advanced training in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Graduates will be prepared for careers in organisations such as such as universities, social research centres, market research agencies, think tanks and policy organisations, local and national government institutions, charities and NGOs, and more.
Career Opportunities
- Government Officer
- International Non-Governmental Officer
- Lecturer
- Market Researcher
- Policy Advisor
- Social Researcher
What our Alumni Say
Mie Astrup Jensen
Our Experts
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Christopher Kollmeyer, The University of Aberdeen
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
The Institute for Conflict, Transition and Peace Research
ICTPR at the University of Aberdeen brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary group of scholars and students to develop in-depth theoretical understandings of the concepts and practices of transitions in terms of conflict and peace.
Find out moreNew Europe Centre
The New Europe Centre represents a group of researchers at the University of Aberdeen with projects from a number of different funding sources. We are committed to doing quality research in order to better understand the world around us.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX