MSc Social Research Methods and Statistics

The University of Manchester

United Kingdom, Manchester

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Home/United Kingdom/Manchester /The University of Manchester/MSc Social Research Methods and Statistics

The University of Manchester

United Kingdom , Manchester

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 32,600 / year

Next Intake January-2026

MSc Social Research Methods and Statistics

About

Benefit from a thorough training in advanced quantitative methods taught within an applied social science framework.
Learn methods of data analysis, including advanced statistics for complex data.
Study a skills-based course with practical training that is highly regarded for future employment within government, the private and voluntary sectors and academia.

The MSc in Social Research Methods and Statistics is designed to be accessible to non-statisticians, yet is more focused than many other existing master's courses in social research methods.

The MSc includes training in:

survey design;
statistics;
how to analyse data;
how to use statistical analysis software such as R, SPSS and Stata.

The MSc modules are taught with an emphasis on hands-on training in the application of methods and software.

Modules include:

Statistical Foundations;
Introduction to Statistical Modelling;
Survey Research;
Demographic Forecasting;
Social Network Analysis;
Longitudinal Data Analysis.

You will need a base level of knowledge in undergraduate research methods, which you will build on throughout the course, to gain comprehensive statistical and analytical skills. A series of pre-sessional training materials are available prior to the MSc start date.

Research activities within the discipline area are both methodological and substantive. We focus on a range of subject areas including social inequalities, population dynamics and survey methodology.

The course is recognised by both the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the North West Doctoral Training Centre, where we receive a large number of Advanced Quantitative methods (AQM) and CASE awards each year.

We develop future social scientists who will have a thorough grounding in research and are equipped with the tools for collecting and analysing statistical data.

Disciplines

Master of Science (MSc)

Requirements

Entry Requirements

We require a UK bachelor's degree with a First or Upper Second classification or the overseas equivalent, inany discipline.

When assessing your academic record we consider your degree subject, grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Full entry requirements

English Program Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:

IELTS Academic test score of 7 overall, including 7 in writing with no further component score below 6.5
TOEFL IBT 100 with 25 in writing and no further score below 22 in each section. TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757
Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 76 overall, with 76 in writing and no further score below 70

Pre-Sessional English Courses

We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you will be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.

To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:

6 Week Pre-Sessional Course : IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and no more than one sub-skill of 6.0.

10 Week Pre-sessional Course : IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 or above in each sub-skill

If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate to ensure that you are eligible for a separate visa for the English language course.

Career

Career opportunities

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .

There is an increasing need for well-trained social scientists who are able to apply advanced methods of analysis to complex data.

You will gain relevant marketable skills that will put you in a good position to obtain jobs in:

the academic sector;
central and local government;
commercial consultancy;
voluntary research sector.

We have excellent links with ONS and government departments, local authorities and many commercial organisations and we are well placed to assist you in finding jobs.

A number of our students already hold research positions (typically in local government or overseas) taking the MSc as part of a career development programme. The course is ideal preparation if you wish to pursue doctoral study, and is a formal component of our 1+3 PhD training model. You are offered support to apply for PhD funding.