This innovative programme allows you to develop interdisciplinary research expertise while focusing on your topics of interest to suit your career or further study goals.
The MA in Interdisciplinary Research Methods provides training in a wide range of research methods used to tackle contemporary social phenomena. It is aligned with The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) learning outcomes for the provision of suitable interdisciplinary research methods training.
The MA in Interdisciplinary Research Methods provides the chance to study in one of the leading Research Methods Centre in the UK, with teaching delivered by highly qualified staff with a strong interdisciplinary orientation.
The programme offers participatory and interactive approaches to learning, through small group teaching, workshops, seminars and practical sessions. We encourage and support you in your pursuit of personal research interests through an independent research project and flexible, student interest-driven assessments.
The programme comprises 75 credits of core advanced methods, 45 credits specialised methods, and a 60 credit dissertation.
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Practices across Social Research
Qualitative Methods and Analysis
Quantitative Methods and Analysis
Current Debates in Interdisciplinary Research
Interdisciplinary Methods for Decision Making
Dissertation
Optional modules:
Recent examples of optional modules include:
Systematic Reviews
Advanced Ethnographic Research
Multilevel Modelling
Advanced Statistics for Psychology and the Behavioural Sciences
The curriculum is delivered through a combination of taught lectures, seminars and tutorials using interactive pedagogical approaches such as discussions and presentations, critiquing existing research, analysing and interpreting data, designing research instruments, searching literature, synthesising and communicating research results.
Teaching contact hours will be supplemented by a substantial element of independent learning, including further reading and research. Support for these activities is available via access to a variety of learning resources and spaces, including Durham’s state of the art library, study and computer rooms, databases, journals and a wide range of textbooks and specialised books.
The final element of the programme is the Dissertation, a significant piece of independent research that brings together the theory, methods and practices learnt through the core and optional modules. Students will be assigned a dissertation supervisor who will provide support through a series of individual tutoring meetings and dissertation workshops.
Assessment
The MA in Interdisciplinary Research Methods is assessed through coursework. Assessments vary depending on the modules studied. Assessment methods may include written assignments, development of research proposals, portfolio work, and/or individual and group presentations.
The dissertation is a 12,000-word piece of work carried out under the guidance of a supervisor. This makes up one-third of teaching credits assigned to the programme.
Entry requirements
We typically require a 2:1 Bachelor (Honours) degree (or international equivalent), in a relevant Social Sciences discipline.
In lieu of a suitable degree discipline, significant and relevant work experience can be considered.
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.
Our graduates are highly sought after by employers, with many entering professional or managerial roles.
Department information
Social Sciences Faculty Hub
Enjoy an unparalleled learning experience at a world-leading leading centre for education and research in social sciences.
We are regularly ranked within the world's top 50 for the quality and significance of our research and our graduates are some of the most sought after by employers.
Our Faculty of Social Sciences is a diverse community of undergraduates, postgraduates, and academic and research staff. All 9 of our academic departments and schools are engaged in pioneering research and innovative learning.
Facilities
The Faculty is a diverse community of undergraduates, postgraduates, and academic and research staff. We are based across 9 academic Departments and Schools, who are engaged in pioneering research and innovative learning.
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Find out more:
Apply for a postgraduate course (including PGCE International) via our online portal.
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