Masters Degrees in Social Philosophy, United Kingdom

The College of Social Sciences welcomes all postgraduates to the recently redesigned MA in Social Research programme which continues to enjoy full RT (research training) recognition by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). This programme aims to provide students with a sound background in social research design and the most up-to-date training in methods of data collection and analysis. The combination of core modules and short courses on more advanced topics provides maximum flexibility for taught postgraduate and research students throughout their study.

The core elements of the programme are delivered by staff across the entire College, many of whom are engaged in cutting-edge research in their own fields. Students will benefit by undertaking the modules with others from different departments within the School of Government and Society, eg, Political Science and International Studies; the Centre for Russian and East European Studies; the Institute for Applied Social Studies; and within the wider College. Students will also receive training on more discipline-specific research elements, as well as dissertation supervision, provided by individual departments. On completion of this MA, many students continue their PhD studies or pursue a career in research in the public, private or voluntary sector.

Programme content
Term 1:

Introduction to Social Research (20)
Research Design (20)
Thesis-related preparation
Information Skills for Social Sciences
University Programme of Skills Training (as necessary)
Dissertation-related preparation
Term 2:

Social Research Methods I (20)
Social Research Methods II (20)
Thesis-related preparation
Summer Term:

Four Short courses (10)
Dissertation (60)
All students registered on the MA in Social Research will take:

1) Four core modules:

Introduction to Social Science Research (20 credits)
Research Design (20 credits)
Social Research Methods I (20 credits)
Social Research Methods II (20 credits)


2) Four elective modules (10 credits each) from the short course programme below
3) A 14,000 word dissertation (60 credits)

Short courses
All short courses run as 2-day intensive workshops from 10–4pm with breaks. This list is updated regularly as new courses are approved so do check this website from time to time to see what is on offer.

These short courses are open to all research students in the College (and some departments in other Colleges, such as Geography, subject to the discretion of the Programme Team). However, places on each course are limited and priority will be given to MA Social Research students.

These short courses are also open to all staff in the University who may wish to attend without completing the assessments. However, all doctoral researchers and staff who wish to to so will be placed on a waiting list. Confirmation will be sent a week before the course dates.

Short course programmes
From Multiple linear to Logistic regression
Narrative Research
Analyzing Hierarchical and Panel Data
Visual Research Methods
Linguistic Ethnography
Documentary Research in Education, History and the Social Sciences
Researching Disability
Approaches to Research on Discourse
Policy Evaluation
Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis (using NVivo)
Secondary Research Data Analysis in Social Research
Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Social Science
Overseas Research
Q Methodology – A Systematic Approach for Interpretive Research Design
Activity Theory and its research applications
Some courses have pre-requisites, eg, to register on Multiple Linear and Logistic Regression, Factor Analysis and Narrative Research; you will need to have passed Data Analysis (20 credits module) or equivalent. For the latter, you will need to provide evidence that you have passed a similar course on quantitative/qualitative data analysis where appropriate.

Please be aware that some of these courses run on the same dates. Make sure you have not picked courses that clash with each other. For further details or to sign up for these short courses, please email the course names, your name, student ID and your programme to [email protected]|.

Skills and attributes gained
Students will have acquired a solid foundation of a broad range of research methods that are widely used in the social sciences and will have developed:

A sound understanding of the methodological debates
An overview of the philosophy of social science and how this informs research design, methods chosen of data collection and analysis
An ability to use a range of research techniques appropriate to their subject area
Competence in the representation and presentation of information and data
An ability to communicate research findings effectively to a wider range of audiences
An appreciation of the potential use and impact of their research within and beyond academia
An ability to engage with relevant users at all points in the research process, from devising and shaping research questions through to enhancing practice
Learning and teaching
Students are expected to engage in high-level discussion during all sessions. Teaching will be delivered by a combination of lectures, seminars and computer workshops. Some fieldwork involving primary data collection is required where appropriate.

Careers
Many students go on to do a PhD after completing this MA. Others have followed a career in local authorities, government departments, health authorities, management consultancy, media, the voluntary sector and so on.

Assessment
All core modules are assessed by a 4000-word essay or report. On most short courses, a 3000-report is usually required. The dissertation length is 14,000 words and students are expected to utilise the knowledge and skills they learned from the taught elements in this programme.

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at one of our on-campus open days (Friday 13 November 2015 and Friday 4 March 2016). Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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Our one year full-time or two year part-time Ethics and Social Philosophy Master’s emphasises the enhancement of skills relevant to advanced philosophical research.

The programme offers knowledge and expertise for further research, postgraduate vocational training, or entry on to a variety of professional career paths.

Distinctive features:

• Suitable either as preparation for further research in ethics and social philosophy or as a stand-alone postgraduate qualification.
• Teaching is by seminars and discussion.
• Specialist courses and dissertation supervision.
• Extensive library holdings of books, journals and electronic sources.
• Regular research seminars with visiting speakers and additional postgraduate research seminars.

Structure

You will take two modules per semester or one module per semester for part-time study. Each module is assessed by 4,000 word essay, with feedback supplied on a first draft of 3,000 words.

Following successful completion of the taught element, you will progress to research and submit a 15,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice (subject to approval by the Board of Studies).

Core modules:

Philosophy MA Dissertation

Optional modules:

White
Philosophy of Feminism
Agency and Responsibility
Social and Political Philosophy
Rationality and Normativity
Ecotheories
Digital Theory

Teaching

The modules available on the MA in Ethics and Social Philosophy offer you the opportunity to explore in depth a number of Philosophical issues and critical ideas while gaining experience in research methodology.

All of the MA modules are taught in a weekly seminar for 10 weeks. The sessions include presentation of material by the module tutor, student presentations and class discussion.

The teaching programme for each module will be issued or finalised at the very beginning of each semester; this will detail required readings to ensure that you have the necessary background preparation.

Each module is taught for two hours a week by seminar. It is essential that you prepare for each seminar by reading the set texts and undertaking supplementary research. You will received individual guidance on the development of a range of skills.

Assessment

Each of the four modules you study as part of the degree is assessed by an essay of 4,000 words, submitted for summative examination at the end of the course.

Each summative essay may be a revised version of a formative essay of 3,000 words submitted to the module leader on an agreed topic.

You will write a dissertation on a topic of your choice approved by the Philosophy Board of Studies (15,000 – 20,000 words). You can access up to five one-hour supervisory sessions with your allocated supervisor.

Career prospects

Postgraduate study in the School is a gateway to many careers within and beyond academia. Many overseas postgraduates return to lectureships with much-enhanced career prospects.

Example employers in the UK include Researchers with Cardiff University, HMRC, Mencap, Research Analyst, Marie Curie Trust, Teach First, and Researchers in the Welsh Government, with jobs that include Crime Intelligence Analyst, Lecturer, Librarian, Recruitment Consultant and Teacher.

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About the MSc programme

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 in 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 and 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.

Graduate destinations

Past programme graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers, ranging from Law, studying in various PhD programmes in Philosophy, 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.

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Summary

This programme allows you to combine advanced-level training in sociology and social policy. The combination allows you to acquire substantive knowledge about the nature of social needs, the emergence and reactions to social problems, and the contested, political boundaries between the individual and the state, across two complementary disciplines. Choose from the quantitative, the qualitative or the substantive pathway: this means you have a broad choice of modules.

Modules

Modules from (depending on pathway): Understanding Modernity; International Social Policy; Understanding Social Change; International Social Welfare; Philosophy of Social Science Research; Research Design and Practice; Quantitative Methods; Qualitative Methods; Project Modules 1 and 2 (from a range of specialist options) Plus dissertation.

Visit our website for further information.

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About the MSc programme

With a deep and rigorous programme of coursework and research in the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, the MSc in Philosophy of Science explores both general questions about the nature of science and specific foundational issues related to the individual sciences.

It is primarily designed to be accessible and stimulating for two main audiences: those who have studied science as undergraduates and would now like to study the philosophical foundations and methodology of science in depth, and those who have studied philosophy and would now like to delve deeper into the philosophy of science.

Founded in 1946 by the eminent Philosopher of Science Sir Karl Popper, LSE’s Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method is the ideal place to explore conceptual, methodological and foundational issues in the sciences and along with the closely related Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science enjoys an international reputation for its cutting-edge research, bustling seminar series and distinguished faculty and visitors.

Graduate destinations

This master's programme prepares students for many different possible destinations, including PhD work in philosophy or related disciplines, and employment in many non-academic fields such as science journalism, science administration and science management.

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Philosophy is about critically thinking through the assumptions of the age. Our programmes are delivered by staff with strong research profiles in modern European philosophy and an interest in interdisciplinary research and collaboration. We have a thriving research culture, with postgraduates working in philosophy or with colleagues in other disciplines.

Our lecturers have broad philosophical interests and specialise in modern European thought.

You can choose between standard academic dissertations or the more flexible context-based learning approach. Your personal interest will drive your context based learning. You will engage philosophically with an object or aspect of reality.

Research and supervision areas

MPhil and PhD supervision is available in the following areas:
-Continental philosophy and the history of European ideas
-Aesthetics
-Ethics
-Social and political philosophy
-Philosophy and religion

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Summary

What is human wellbeing and what are the various steps taken by governments to promote it? The MSc International Social Policy considers these questions. You can choose pathways in ageing societies and development studies. We also offer a research methods pathway, which is ESRC accredited and an excellent basis for PhD study in Social Policy.

Modules

Modules from (depending on pathway): International Social Welfare; Philosophy of Social Science Research; Perspectives in Gerontology; Development and Migration; Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship; The South and Global Politics Plus dissertation.

Visit our website for further information.

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This programme delivers high-quality research methods training, including practical experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis software packages and detailed analysis related to research epistemology and the philosophy of social science. It can provide opportunities to gain 'hands on' experience and contribute to current research projects, working, for example, with the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM).

The programme is suited to those hoping to later pursue a research degree (usually PhD) but who do not meet the research methods training entry requirements, as well as those who wish to apply for an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) studentship, as the programme is recognised by the ESRC for 1+3 funding.

The programme is a Faculty-wide course and modules are taught within the School of Education, the School of Applied Social Sciences (Sociology) and the Department of Psychology. This provides our students the opportunity to come into contact with students studying research methods in different disciplines across the Social Sciences.

Core Modules

-Research Design and Process (15 credits)
-Perspectives on Social Research (15 credits)
-Experiments in Education (15 credits)
-Research Methods in Education (30 credits)
-Dissertation (45 credits)

Either:
-Qualitative Research Methods in Social Science (15 credits)
Or:
-Fieldwork and Interpretation (15 credits)

Either:
-Statistical Exploration and Reasoning (15 credits)
And:
-Quantitative Research Methods in Social Science (15 credits)
Or:
-Applied Statistics (30 credits)

Optional Modules

15 credits from:
-Philosophy of Social Research (15 credits)
-Computer Based Applications in Social Research (15 credits)

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This degree captures the distinctive approach to philosophy at Exeter, taking an interdisciplinary perspective on the some of the biggest questions facing mankind.

Topics covered include:

* the philosophical, social and ethical dilemmas posed by science and technology;
* the nature of the human mind and its relationship to culture;
* how can we better understand the way that societies function.

You will also explore a range of different philosophical methods such as conceptual analysis, phenomenology, naturalism, and historical and sociological approaches, and learn to apply these methods in your own research.

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Summary

This ESRC-recognised programme enables you to study processes of governance and policymaking while receiving rigorous and extensive training in social science research methods. Successful ESRC-funded students will be eligible for a further three years’ funding for PhD research.

Modules

Core modules: Governance and Policy; Philosophy of Social Science Research; Research Design and Practice; Qualitative Methods I; Quantitative Methods I; plus two from Qualitative Methods II, Quantitative Methods II or Survey Methods

Optional modules: two from a wide range in Politics and International Relations and Social Sciences Plus dissertation

Visit our website for further information.

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The MA Political Thought gives you the opportunity to study the thinkers who have shaped the modern world – Locke, Hegel, Marx and others – as well as more recent debates in social and political theory. It draws upon the diverse interests of our lecturers; refers to both Anglo-American and ‘Continental’ literatures; and employs analytic and institutional approaches.

As a graduate of this programme you will have a broad knowledge of classic debates in the history of political ideas and of changing perceptions of money, work and commerce. You will also have the opportunity to take a wide range of options in subjects including philosophy of social science, science and technology studies, and theories of revolution.

The Centre of Political Thought ( http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/research/centres/cpt/) is an active research community distinguished by its diversity, collegiality and engagement between different approaches. Exeter has one of the largest and most diverse groups of political theorists of any Politics department in the UK.

Careers

You will develop a number of skills that are valued in professional and managerial careers: the ability to research and analyse information from a variety of sources along with written and verbal skills needed to present and discuss your opinions. The understanding you will gain of complex political and cultural issues, often in continually changing environments, can also be relevant to both business and public sector appointments.

For further information on this programme please visit our website: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/politics/polthoughtma

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The MA in Human Rights focuses on the pressing questions of human rights. Can there be space for human rights in world affairs? Who is responsible for the protection of human rights in world politics? These theoretical and practical concerns form the central focus of the degree and are addressed through the compulsory course units. This research route course is designed for students for whom a taught MA will be a prelude to a PhD. It will appeal particularly to those with an interest in the political, legal and ethical issues that arise from widespread human rights violations globally. The course provides students with an advanced, critical, interdisciplinary and systematic understanding of human rights issues within a global context. It is an interdisciplinary degree which allows student's exposure to developments in international politics, political theory, and law in order to better understand the complex global environment in which human rights claims are made.

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the full-time programme over two years. There are NO evening or weekend course units available on the part-time programme.

You must first check the schedule of the compulsory modules and then select your optional modules to suit your requirements.

Updated timetable information will be available from mid-August and you will have the opportunity to discuss your module choices during induction week with your Course Director.

Career opportunities

Successful graduates go into careers in Academia, the Civil Service, Journalism, the NGO sector, and wide range of related positions in both the public and private sectors among others.

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• Designed to enhance research skills in politics and/or international relations
• Preparation for a PhD, or for a research career in think tanks, government departments or elsewhere
• Freedom to tailor the programme to suit your particular research interests
• Specialist research dissertation
• Suitable for graduates from any discipline

What will you study?

Sample modules:

• Philosophical issues in the social sciences
• Introduction to both qualitative and quantitative research methods in politics and international relations
• War and peace
• Politics of public policy
• Dissertation

Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.

What career can you have?

We provide lots of opportunities for you to develop transferable skills for your future career. Our graduates move on to a wide range of roles, including UK ambassadors, military officers, members of the SAS or intelligence analysts, bankers, political analysts, university lecturers, staff college lecturers, journalists, officials in international organisations or police officers.

Others have gone into industry, teaching, local government administration, charitable foundations or Parliament.

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This MA programme is unique in the UK. It is based in a major city for philosophy of education and aims to give students a comprehensive grounding in the subject.

Degree information

This programme enables students to explore further the relevance of ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of mind and epistemology to contemporary educational issues and to bring philosophical thinking to bear on their own educational concerns including professional practice. Students will gain a grounding in philosophical approaches, becoming part of a lively community of Master's and doctoral students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of core modules (60 credits), optional modules (60 credits) and the dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules
-Philosophy of Education: Values, Aims and Society
-What is Education?

Optional modules - the following option is recommended:
-Philosophy of Education: Knowledge, Mind and Understanding

Further optional modules include:
-Theoretical Foundations of Educational Ideas
-Understanding Education Research
-Rights and Education

Dissertation/report
All students are required to submit either: a dissertation of 18,000-20,000 words in philosophy of education (60 credits) or a report of about 10,000 words plus a further 30-credits module approved by programme leader.

Teaching and learning
The taught sessions consist primarily of presentation by the tutor or another speaker, often reviewing a range of positions and arguments on a topic (on occasion students may be invited in advance to make their own presentation to the group); and discussion, both as a whole class and in small groups, which is vital both to clarifying and being able to argue for your own position, and to understanding the positions and arguments of others.

Assessment on the Philosophy MA modules is by means of a 5,000-word written essay.

Careers

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as teachers and senior school leaders, while others have jobs as university lecturers and researchers. Graduates can also be found working as staff in policy think tanks and as youth workers or in adult and informal education.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-College and Adult Teacher (Business, ICT and Finance), Tower Hamlets College
-Lecturer, Universidade Catolica de Mozambique (Catholic University of Mozambique)
-Primary School Class Teacher (Year 2), Gulf English School
-Assistant Vice-Principal, Bridge Academy and studying MA Philosophy of Education, Institute of Education, University of London (IOE)

Why study this degree at UCL?

The Department of Education, Practice and Society at UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is the well-established home of an interdisciplinary grouping bringing together high-quality teaching and research in the history, sociology and philosophy of education and international development.

The IOE has, through the decades, been in the vanguard of the development and dissemination of work in the field. Its Centre for Philosophy draws together research across the range the IOE as well as showcasing our extensive connections in the field.

The centre is committed to rigorous exploration of a variety of philosophical approaches, encompassing such topics as the aims of education, teaching, learning, and the curriculum, democracy, citizenship, philosophy with children, new technology, and the environment.

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This new and distinctive MRes aims to develop a systematic understanding and critical appreciation of alternative approaches, methodologies and paradigms of social science research. It will develop fully trained and competent social science researchers, who are able to understand and use research techniques appropriate to their subject area as well as being conversant with approaches used by other social scientists.

The programme has a substantial theoretical and quantitative core but also delivers complementary qualitative training. This will provide an essential foundation for any working researcher, whether they are going on to do a PhD or otherwise engaged in research. The training will enable students to think through how they can use their knowledge and skills of advanced quantitative methods in different contexts and apply them to a variety of problems; and, progressively, to identify their own needs for training.

It is a joint initiative between the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Exeter. The course is delivered collaboratively; each semester one core unit is taught intensively, with time spent at each location. This collaborative delivery means that the expertise of academics at each institution can be made available to students from all three universities, enhancing the training capacity of each.

This programme has been accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of the South West Doctoral Training Centre.

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