Overview
Join our Sociology and Social Research MA and receive advanced training in research skills, methods, and theories.
Develop the techniques to conduct advanced research in Sociology and the social sciences.
Expand your knowledge and understanding, of sociological ideas, enhancing your career and research opportunities.
Our programme equips you with an appreciation of the philosophical principles and epistemological frameworks that underpin all social enquiry. You’ll get hands-on expertise with a range of social research methods and command a grasp of the core theoretical traditions and issues in sociology.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge research across:
- Gender
- Migration
- Health and disabilities
- Race and ethnicity
- Urban studies
- Crime and security
- Environment
- Youth and ageing
You’ll receive training in social research methods. You’ll undertake research to inform and shape a substantial dissertation project.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
Throughout the course you will:
- learn about contemporary sociological research from subject specialists
- gain an understanding of the range of sophisticated conceptual and theoretical tools we apply to make sense of social life
- receive extensive training and support on research epistemologies and methods
- be empowered to conduct your own empirical research, supported by methods training and a subject mentor
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Sociology and Social Research MA modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Thinking about Research | 10 |
| Dissertation Preparation | 10 |
| Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | 20 |
| Quantitative Analysis | 20 |
| Social Divisions and Inequality | 20 |
| Dissertation | 60 |
How you’ll learn
Core teaching will be through
- interactive lectures and workshops
- seminars
Methods teaching may also involve workshops.
Dissertation research takes the form of an independent project supported by:
- one-to-one supervision
- MA student conference
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Thesis
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Sociology at Newcastle comprises a friendly, diverse group of academics with diverse research specialisms. You will join a vibrant international academic community.
Our head of Sociology is Professor Ruth McAreavey
The Programme Director for our MAs is Dr Bethan Harries
Our compulsory module, Social Divisions and Inequality, offers an overview of various social divisions and inequalities in society. It examines these issues through a range of macro sociological theories and recent empirical studies.
You can choose from a wide range of optional modules taught by leading experts in their fields. Our compulsory and optional modules are listed in the module section below.
Find out more about:
Your development
Learn how to critically analyse important and pressing social challenges.
Receive training from research active academics engaged in real world research.
Be part of a vibrant research community and participate in research activities within the School.
Develop your own supervisor-guided research project and present your work in progress at our annual MA Sociology conference.
At the end of your course you will have experience of:
- qualitative and quantitative research design
- conducting fieldwork or document-based projects
- analysing and communicating rich and complex data
- communicating your ideas in diverse ways
Your future
You’ll deepen your understanding of the social world and enrich your methodological skills. Our programme prepares you for a wide range of careers across the public, private and third sector.
This course provides a solid foundation for careers and further education routes that involve high level research skills and methodological knowledge, including PhD study.
Graduates often go on to work in academic settings, but also take up roles across the public, private and third sector, such as:
Our graduates have taken up roles in many sectors, such as:
- voluntary and community sector
- local government/public administration
- international organisations
- journalism
- central government/civil service
- social and legal research
- marketing
- education
Many of our MA Sociology and Social Research graduates also go on to study for a PhD.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 200 for Sociology – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School has common student workspaces, including bookable rooms as well as access to basic kitchen facilities and social areas. There is also a café on the ground floor of the School building.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a sociology/policy discipline such as:
- criminology
- organisational studies
- cultural studies;
- media studies
- film studies
- human geography
