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Social Research

Explore a variety of social research methods and learn how to conduct reliable and valid research that will help you examine ideas about society

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Key Facts

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Degree

MSc Social Research

Degree Duration

12 months|15 Months

Pathways Available

Pre-Master's open_in_new

15 months :

3 months pathway + 1 year degree

Distance Learning Pre-Master’s Programme open_in_new

15 months :

15 weeks pathway + 1 year degree

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Start Dates

May | September

See degree on website open_in_new
Overview Why Study Your Pathway Discover University

Degree Overview

Social research methods are a means of providing evidence to examine ideas about society and are important to social scientists who want to study a particular problem or to test a theory. They are also fundamental tools of value to government, service providers, and to business.

You will gain skills in a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative research methods and engage with ‘live’ research issues and external organisations. For example, some of the recent Research in Practice placements have been with:

the police (approaches to mental health issues), a local charity (women in homeless settings), a housing charity (experiences of private renters), an international development NGO (education for girls in Global South) and an organisation supporting migrants in Scotland.

This course teaches you how to use research tools, and consider the wider meanings of how knowledge can be constructed in different ways and for diverse range of purposes.

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Important
  • You may incur additional costs in the course of your education at the University over and above tuition fees in an academic year such as laptops, Stationary and additional resources.

Study Reasons

Graduates have gone on to work for: local authority planning departments, the General Registrars Office, Scotland (census office), ONS social analysis unit and PhD study.

Our staff have wide experience of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. As well as working as social science researchers, our staff have acted as expert advisers to governments and as consultants to local, national and international organisations.

Your Pathways

For online learning, at postgraduate level you can study the Distance Learning Pre-Master’s Programme (DL PMP).

The DL PMP is designed for those students who do not qualify for direct entry to a postgraduate degree at the University of Dundee. This could be because of the grades achieved in your undergraduate degree; your current qualifications are not equivalent to a UK undergraduate degree or if you want to improve your academic and English language skills.

Our DL PMP will equip you with the advanced skills you need to complete your postgraduate study at the University of Dundee. You can study this over 15 weeks before progressing to your chosen master’s degree course.

Learn more about Distance Learning Pre-Master’s Programme

The Pre Masters Program will prepare you for the UK, EU or US study system, giving you the confidence and skills that you’ll need to go further in your studies. Depending on your academic qualification and English language level and chosen programme, you can study the IIM over one or two terms.

What’s the difference between the one or two terms?
One Term Two Terms
3 months of study Six months of study
Additional academic English and subject-related support

 

Learn more about Pre-Master's

International Student Fees

You can find the applicable international student course fee for your chosen pathway study route listed below.

 

 

 

Study Route Subject Intake Pathway Fees

(2024-2025)

 Pathway Fees

(2025-2026)
International Foundation Business September, January £18,995
International Foundation Nursing / Life and Biomedical Sciences / Engineering / Computing September, January £19,895
International Stage One (IS1) (3 term) Business* / Social Studies September, January, April £18,995 £18,995
International Stage One (IS1) (3 term) Nursing / Life and Biomedical Sciences / Engineering / Computing September, January £19,895 £19,895
International Stage One (IS1) (2 term) Business / Computing  / Life and Biomedical Sciences / Nursing January, April £13,195 £13,195
International Stage Two (IS2) All available subjects September, January £20,195 £20,195
Pre-Master’s (PM) – (1 term) Business / Computing / Energy & Sustainability / Engineering / Law September, April, June £11,195 £11,195
Pre-Master’s (PM) – (1 term) Design / Health Education and Social Sciences** / Nursing April, June £11,195 £11,195
Pre-Master’s (PM) – (2 term) Business /  Energy & Sustainability /  Health Education and Social Sciences ** January, April, June £11,195 £11,195
Pre-Master’s (PM) – Online  £6,500 £6,500

Fees are not inclusive of scholarships. All applications are subject to a non-refundable admin Fee of £220. Stated fees are for the pathway only. Stated fees do not include tuition applicable for degree course continued at the university, for more information on progression degree fees please visit the university website directly.

*After successfully completing International Stage One (3 terms) in Business (April 2026 intake), you will progress to IS2 in January 2027 and continue to your chosen degree at the University of Dundee in September 2027, entering Year 3.
**MEd TESOL and MEd Education (Leading Learning and Teaching) not available for the January 2026 intake at the UoD.

Scholarships at Dundee

Students at the International College may be considered for a number of Scholarships that are part of the University of Dundee Scholarship offerings, such as the Global Citizenship Scholarship which awards students up to £5,000 per year of study. Another award is the ICD Progressing with Excellence Scholarship which recognises academic achievement while studying at the International College and awards up to £6,000 per year of study.

These scholarships are awarded for the University of Dundee period of study. Other Scholarships may be available for the ICD period of study, and you should contact your agent or Oxford International regional representative for full details of these.

For more information on scholarships available to ICD students visit the ICD Scholarships page.

Oxford International offers a number of scholarship opportunities for students applying for an academic course under the Core Scholarship. The scholarships are targeted at different regions around the world, awards range from partial contribution towards tuition fees to awards covering part or full pathway course fees at the international college.

Please note you’ll have to apply for the Core Scholarship and only a selection of students will be awarded.  For more information on the scholarships we offer to international students please contact us.

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Applying is easy. Complete the online application form and follow the instructions. If you have any queries please contact us.

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University of Dundee

Ranked in The Guardian's Top 20 UK Universities in 2021, the University of Dundee prides itself on three things: Impactful research, an excellent student experience and a community campus in the city.

Situated beside the majestic River Tay, Dundee is Scotland’s sunniest city. It also has the highest student ratios per head of population anywhere in the UK so there is an exciting and diverse range of nightlife, leisure activities and culture.

 

Country specific requirements

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University of Dundee

Available Pathway Courses

Pre-Master's - Psychology and Social Sciences Distance Learning Pre-Master’s Programme (DL PMP) in Education and Psychology

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