MSc Social and Behavioural Research Methods

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Key information

Location: Edinburgh
Mode of delivery: On-campus
Delivery type: Full-time
Start date: September
Duration: 1 year
Qualification: MSc

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Overview

The MSc Social and Behavioural Research Methods provides a rigorous programme of methodological training suitable for students who wish to pursue a research career, whether in academia or beyond. Designed to meet the Economic & Social Research Council's (ESRC) criteria for accreditation*, the programme is the ideal preparation for students looking to pursue a PhD. Built upon a core set of compulsory courses and featuring tailored pathways across our areas of expertise in Psychology, Business Management, Finance and Accounting, it enables students to select a pathway through the programme that is appropriate to their own needs and interests.

*^{Programme pending accreditation}

Course content

Year 1

The full-time programme features a common set of introductory research methods courses in semester 1, delivered through a combination of online learning materials and teaching sessions (60 credits). This is followed by a range of specialist optional courses, delivered through a series of weekly face-to-face sessions in semester 2 (60 credits), with a dissertation in the Spring/Summer (60 credits).

In semester 1, students will have the opportunity to attend regular Q&A sessions focused on various aspects of doing research, including research integrity, and career opportunities after graduation.

Mandatory courses

Research Methods 1: An Introduction to Research Methods
Research Methods 2: The Qualitative Researcher
Research Methods 3: The Quantitative Researcher

Optional courses

Students select four optional courses from the list below:

Big Data Analytics
Network Analysis for Business
Systems Thinking and Analysis
Econometric Methods for Economic Research
Comparative Financial Reporting
International Accounting Theory
Empirical Financial Modelling
Psychological Interventions
Research in Action
Discourse Analysis
Advanced Statistics using R
Advanced Experimental Design

Dissertation

Students can choose the appropriate dissertation course based on their chosen pathway.

Business Management
Accounting, Banking or Finance
Independent Project in Psychology

Go Global

Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for further information.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Tuition fees
Status ^{[footnote 1]}	Full-time
UK	9152
Overseas ^{[footnote 2]}	20376

Scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.

Entry requirements

For MSc entry, students will typically have a good honours degree (first or 2:1), or its non-UK equivalent, in a relevant subject area from a recognised British or overseas university.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Please view our English language requirements.

We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Why Heriot-Watt?

Psychology facilities

Our Edinburgh-based researchers benefit from refurbished research facilities, comprising three expertise-specific research spaces

Psychology Student Society

The Psychology society is a student run community who host a mix of academic and social events for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Psychology students.

Clubs and activities

At Heriot-Watt we have an extensive programme of over 90 sports clubs and societies to get involved in. You can try as many as you like or start one of your own!

Edinburgh campus accommodation

Living on our beautiful Edinburgh campus is a great way to meet others from all over the world. Our student accommodation is within easy reach of the teaching buildings, sports facilities, catering venues and the Student Union

Edinburgh Campus facilities

At Heriot-Watt University, we offer a wide range of services to help you deal with all aspects of your life with us, whether these be academic, personal, technical, financial or just plain fun!

Health and wellbeing

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Heriot-Watt Student Union

There's more to university life than simply getting your degree, and Heriot-Watt University Student Union is all about helping you to have the best possible experience while you study here.

Living in Edinburgh

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Sport facilities

Oriam, Scotland Sports Performance Centre offers state-of-the-art sports facilities, for all levels of sport and ability

Your career

Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

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