Anthropology, economics, geography, political science, sociology – you already know what the social sciences are. But how do they work? What makes them special?
There are clear senses in which they differ from some of the natural sciences, such as their extremely diverse set of methods and analytic techniques, but does this make the social sciences any less scientific or objective?
With LSE widely recognised as the world’s leading specialist social science university, the MSc Philosophy of the Social Sciences is the ideal degree with which to pursue questions about human societies, and to apply philosophical reasoning to understanding the nature of the social sciences themselves.
This programme offers a critical examination of the conceptual and methodological issues underlying social scientific research. The Department's strength in philosophy of economics and rational choice theory makes it the ideal environment in which to study, examine and critique the use of these methods within the social sciences.
Past programme graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers, ranging from law, forming their own start-up, working in the City and working at Google. We have a very good record of students entering excellent PhD programmes.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Secondary Education provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in the secondary school sector. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the National College for Teaching and Leadership for Initial Teacher Training courses.
Social Sciences is an exciting secondary school curriculum subject area. It covers topics such as: sociology(socialisation, culture, identity, social differentiation, power, stratification, education, family, health, work, poverty, welfare religion, globalisation, media, crime, research methods); health and social care (human growth and development, communication and values, positive care environments, social aspects and lifestyle choices, activities for health and well-being, public health, meeting individual needs, promoting health and well-being, investigating disease, using and understanding research, social issues and welfare needs, understanding human behaviour); and personal, social, health and economic education. As a trainee you will learn how to teach social sciences to pupils in the 14-19 age range within the secondary age phase, with additional experience in the 11-14 age range and primary enhancements. You will learn how to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for teaching social sciences through a combination of university-led and school-led training.
This course is designed to meet the NCTL Teaching Standards which assesses all trainees working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
This postgraduate qualification offers 60 Masters-level credits that can be used towards our Masters degrees in the field of education.
This Social Sciences route sits within an exciting range of Secondary Education subjects we offer within the Institute of Education.
SECONDARY EDUCATION Frequently Asked Questions
This is NOT an appropriate training course for applicants who wish to teach in Primary schools or Post Compulsory Education establishments.
Over the one year course, you will undertake learning at University and other educational settings. You will spend 120 days divided between at least two different school placements across the 14-19 age range within the Secondary age phase.
Your University tutor team is available to assist you throughout your training, supporting development of reflection. Every effort is made to ensure that high-quality school placements are provided to you, facilitating learning through observing, co-teaching and being observed by experienced teachers in the classroom.
All course modules provide examples of good practice in pedagogy which you will reflect upon as you develop your own teaching style - you will be expected to actively participate in your own learning and development.
Teaching on the course comprises a variety of methodologies that will prepare you for life in the classroom including teacher-led discussions, pupil-led exploration, peer-group discovery, problem based learning, e-learning and the provision of individual targets.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways including written assignments; classroom based investigation and other school-based activities, and appraisal of practical teaching skills.
Typical activities may include:
PGCE: Programme Structure
The PGCE course takes place over 180 days, and 120 of those days are spent in a school. You will have one school attachment during the autumn term and another (in a different school) in the spring/summer terms.
One of our strengths is that we have a vast network of high quality partnership schools in which to place you for the extended school placements. We ensure that you receive high quality school-based training by selecting schools with highly trained mentors and a proven track record of excellent trainee outcomes. We will also take other factors into consideration when placing you, such as your geographical location and transportation, to provide you with the best possible experience in a convenient and suitable setting.
The University-led elements of the course take place at our Walsall Campus. Our PGCE starts in early September and ends in June, and it is an intensive academic and professional training course that effectively prepares you for your first teaching post and beyond.
The course comprises of a two day professional placement in mixed subject groups, two extended school placements in your subject specialism and two periods of University-based teaching – September to October and January to February. The programme also includes a short Primary school placement and additional opportunities for a range of enhancements to your course; for example, experience of teaching pupils with special educational needs, teaching pupils at post-16 level or teaching pupils for whom English is an additional language.
Successful completion of the PGCE Secondary Education course leads to recommendation to NCTL for qualified teacher status (QTS) and will then allow you to take up a teaching post within a secondary school.
In secondary schools you could be considered for a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR), which may comprise any of the following:
Later, you could progress to a senior leadership position such as a deputy or assistant head and head teacher - at which point you will have overall responsibility for the leadership and management of a school and the education its students receive.
Following successful completion of this award, you could also use your 60 Masters-level credits towards any of our Masters degrees in the field of education which can be continued within your NQT year.
Find out more about further study that can be taken after completing this PGCE award.
The Complex Systems Modelling - From Biomedical and Natural to Economic and Social Sciences MSc programme will teach you to apply mathematical techniques in the rapidly developing and exciting interdisciplinary field of complex systems and examine how they apply to a variety of areas including biomedicine, nature, economics and social sciences. This research-led course is suitable for graduates who wish to work in research and development in an academic or industrial environment.
The Complex Systems Modelling MSc is an innovative study programme that explores the latest research in the rapidly developing and exciting interdisciplinary field of cpmplex systems.
Modern societies rely on a broad range of infrastructures, institutions and technologies, and their complexities have grown dramatically in the recent past. Consequently, there is a rapidly expanding demand for expertise in complex systems modelling as a foundation for understanding, maintaining and further developing of such systems.
The programme offers you the choice to study either full or part-time. You must take a combination of required and optional modules totalling 180 credits to complete the course. If you are studying full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying part-time, your programme will take two years to complete. You will study the required modules in the first year, and a further selection of required and optional modules including the complex systems modelling module in your second year.
You will study key natural and biomedical scientific topics as well as economic and social sciences. We also offer the opportunity to study an additional zero-credit module called foundations for complex systems modelling and cross-disciplinary approaches to non-equilibrium systems and is designed as a refresher module covering vital mathematics and physics skills.
For graduates in mathematics, or in other suitable scientific disciplines with a strong background in mathematics, who want to work in research and development in an academic or industrial environment. The programme aims to develop a knowledge and understanding of complex systems modelling and their uses, and to enable students to use mathematical techniques to quantify, predict and improve such systems.
Primarily written examinations, some with coursework element, in eight lecture modules, plus an oral presentation and assessed report on the research project.
Our graduates are highly sought after: the applicability of complex systems modelling to areas as diverse as biomedical, natural, economic and social sciences, results in a broad range of opportunities. Some graduates are employed by the companies or laboratories that supervise their MSc research projects, or continue to PhD study.
Other career destinations include:
A Master of Social Sciences (MSocSc) builds on the Bachelors or Honours qualification you've already gained. When studying for your MSocSc, you'll focus on your preferred Social Science subject area and you'll immerse yourself in a high-level programme of study. You'll learn the latest research techniques and be updated on recent developments in knowledge relating to your chosen field.
You'll be preparing for a dissertation or thesis, so will be conducting a substantial amount of your own independent research. If you think you may want to complete a doctorate level qualification later on, completing a MSocSc prepares you for that next level of academic study.
As you grow your knowledge of your chosen subject area, you'll be refining your intellectual skills, particularly your ability to think critically, problem solve and analyse. This will enable you to prepare for leadership roles in fields related to your subject area.
During your studies, you'll be supervised by well-connected Faculty members who have networks with people working in a wide range of sectors, from business to government.
These people, including representatives from local and central government and tribal authorities, provide input into the different subject areas. Members of community groups, business organisations and industrial and professional groups do the same – they provide valuable support and input. The subject area experts themselves provide consultancy services that the community in general needs, so there are broader links and connections made through this sharing of knowledge.
Please visit http://www.waikato.ac.nz/study/qualifications/master-of-social-sciences to see what subjects are available for the Master of Social Sciences.
Modern society is highly data-driven. Everything is monitored and measured, yet there are major challenges to finding optimal ways to design research, analyse data, and extract the most valuable information.
This selective Master’s programme combines the research expertise of the following departments at Utrecht University (UU) and the University of Twente (UT):
This programme therefore also has two main study locations you can choose from, that is, either Utrecht University or the University of Twente. The collaboration between these departments provides you with an exceptionally broad range of internship opportunities and thesis topics focused on the following fields: Behavioural Sciences | Biomedical Sciences | Social Sciences
The programme is recognised as a high quality programme and has been awarded high ratings in the past years by established rankings in the Netherlands.
Through the programme’s cutting-edge research in methodology and statistics, you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to carry out fundamental and applied research at the level of a PhD project. This two-year Master’s programme provides you with answers to questions such as:
You will also develop your ability to consult with applied researchers on a wide range of methodological and statistical issues. During your studies, you will select a specialisation in the behavioural, biomedical, or social sciences, which you will explore in depth through electives and (the preparation for) your Master’s thesis.
Every year, students are invited to participate in the organisation of conferences, through which they have the opportunity to interact with scientists from around the world. In addition, there are opportunities to take electives abroad.
The Methodology and Statistics programme prepares you for a scientific career in academia, research institutes, government organisations, NGOs, or private enterprises. Utrecht University, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and the University of Twente maintain strong partnerships with various non-academic institutions, such as CITO, CentERData, CBS, TNO, UMCU, LSAC, CTB, ETS, AMC, SAS, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, Stichting Arq, Dutch Inspectorate of Education, Danone, and Ex:plain, which provide excellent career prospects for our students. The majority of our graduates obtain positions as PhD students either in one of the three departments that coordinate this Master’s programme or in other related departments in the Netherlands or abroad.
You can prepare for and write your thesis at one of the three participating departments, or you can broaden your experience by working with other organisations, such as Statistics Netherlands, CITO, Social Cultural Planning Office, TNO, Research Centre for Examination and Certification, or UMCU.
Through this Master’s programme, you will develop the skills and knowledge to function as a qualified practitioner who is ready for PhD training or a research career outside academia. You'll learn how to:
You will be fully equipped with the academic skills and knowledge necessary for your future career.
Studying for a PhD with UEL’s School of Social Sciences will push you to the limit - and you’ll be supported all the way by our world-class academic staff.
Our research consistently delivers improved outcomes for the delivery of social for adolescent self-harm, suicide prevention and child abuse.
Active social work and social policy research strands range from international human rights to the practical – such as applying practice-near research to social work, and using new media to help people with learning disabilities. We also use geo-information and numerical simulations to develop crime, health and social policies.
Our Sociology strand includes active research on anthropology, political economy, social psychology and psychoanalysis, international development, politics, refugee, urban and gender studies.
Internationally, the School has partnerships with the University of New Mexico and the American University of Cairo; as well as exchange programmes with several European colleges.
The MRes programme allows you to undertake a research project at Master's level which would be assessed via submission of a thesis and a viva voce.
Tailor your studies to your specific interests or career aspirations such as; healthcare, midwifery, nursing, leadership or dementia. Other areas inlcude nutrition, exercise, the social sciences, humanisation or social work.
You can set out to find the answer to a particular research question and will have the chance to delve more deeply into a subject area that you are passionate about.
Your research project will be developed in collaboration with our academic University staff who will provide you with specialist knowledge and supervisory input, while accessing BU's technical and infromation resources.
You will also be part of BU's wider postgraduate community and have access to the suite of research, professional and personal training offered through the Doctoral College and your Academic faculty.
We strongly encourage collaboration across specialisms, and an MRes provides an opportunity to work with supervisors from various backgrounds to deliver truly impactful research.
The minimum completion time for the full-time course is 12 months with flexibility to take up to 18 months. If you would prefer to complete the course part-time, the minimum completion time is 24 months with flexibility to take up to 36 months to complete.
A research degree is a period of intensive, supervised, research work in your chosen area. It builds on your previous academic or professional experience and allows you to develop an original area of expertise.
You work closely with a director of studies and a supervisor who are specialists in your chosen field or methodological approach to produce an extended thesis of up to 80,000 words in the case of doctoral research.
Whilst completing your thesis you can take advantage of a range of training opportunities to improve your employability and personal skills. This includes developing your knowledge and understanding of research methods and methodology.
You can take modules from the MRes Social Sciences Programme and supplementary on-line courses to develop your research skills.
Our staff members take part in a range of research-related activities, including
Reviewing journal papers, book proposals and research applications.
We conduct research projects in areas such as • law • social policy • sociology • politics • public health • education psychology. Our teaching and research is supported by leading facilities such as the Law Clinic and Community Justice Portal.
We also have the following research centres
Faculty of Development and Society Graduate School
This course is hosted by the Faculty of Development and Society Graduate School. The Graduate School website provides a communication hub for students and staff engaged in research, information about our research work, and useful contact information.
Full-time – at least 35 hours a week on average over three years
Part-time – at least 12 hours a week on average for up to seven years
EU and international students wishing to study in their own country can choose the split mode. You register with us and spend some time studying in Sheffield but are mainly based at home.
Various start dates
You critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic, to demonstrate an understanding of research methods appropriate to your chosen field. You must then present and defend your thesis by oral examination.
Supervision
We allocate you a supervisory team of two or three research specialists.
You have regular scheduled meetings with your supervisors when you agree targets for written and oral presentation of your research progress. We expect you to present seminar papers on your work and to submit written papers for comment. We also expect you to attend relevant seminars from the appropriate research seminar series.
Research training
In addition to your subject-focused research activity, you must complete research training modules, unless you have previously studied these on an appropriate masters degree. Fees for these modules are covered in the full-time fee. Part-time students must pay for these additional modules. Please contact us for further details. During your research leading to your thesis, you work under the guidance of your supervising team.
You submit your research programme for approval by the University’s Research Degrees Committee. Your final assessment is via thesis and viva.
Our research is often applied, which prepares you to tackle issues of immediate relevance to voluntary or statutory agencies. You can go on to find an academic or other research career.
Many people take part-time degrees in collaboration with their current employer.
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