University of Stirling
Doctor of Applied Social Research

Stirling, United Kingdom

DURATION

36 up to 96 Months

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time, Part time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Request application deadline

EARLIEST START DATE

Sep 2025

TUITION FEES

GBP 48,900 / per year *

STUDY FORMAT

Blended, On-Campus

* international (including EU) students | students from the UK: £17,300

Key Summary

About: The Doctor of Applied Social Research focuses on developing advanced research skills in the field of social science. This program equips students to engage with real-world social issues through a practical and theoretical approach. You'll learn methodologies that can be applied to various social contexts, enhancing your ability to contribute meaningfully to the discipline.

Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue careers as social researchers, policy analysts, or program evaluators. This degree also prepares individuals for roles in academia, government, non-profits, and private sector organizations where research and data analysis are essential.

Introduction

Overview

Our Doctor of Applied Social Research is designed to transform the way you think as a professional and ensure you can make a powerful impact in your field.

If you’re an experienced professional who wants to advance your expertise and broaden your career opportunities, this course is an ideal match. From the outset, you’ll gain high-quality research skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace and refined through access to seminars and advanced training opportunities. You’ll also benefit from the guidance of our expert staff and your interaction with fellow professionals and executives from a range of social science backgrounds.

Curriculum

The core modules give you the opportunity to build high quality research skills and learn from each other’s experiences as professionals. Each professional pathway then offers a choice of modules from which two may be selected to tailor your own course. Choose the professional pathway that’s right for you with a host of optional modules in seven diverse fields.

Applied Social Science

The Applied Social Science pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Nature of Social Enquiry; Social Network Analysis; Policy Analysis and Evaluation Research; Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis; Theory and Method of Digital Social Research. This course is delivered on the University of Stirling campus and is open for all to apply.

Criminal Justice

Our Criminal Justice pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Criminological Perspectives; Criminalisation, Social Control and Human Rights; Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice Work; Research Methods in Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. This course is delivered on the University of Stirling campus and is open for all to apply.

Dementia Studies

This pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Evaluation and Assessment in Dementia Care and Researching Dementia. This is a blended course which means it is delivered by a combination of online and on campus classes. If you are an international student and applying with a Student Visa, we can’t accept your application for this course as it is in the category of being part-time, delivered online or a distance learning course.

Family Therapy

As the only doctorate of its kind in Scotland, the Doctorate of Applied Social Research (Family Therapy) is for family therapists and systemic practitioners who want to develop as a researcher, complementing existing clinical skills and knowledge. This course is delivered on the University of Stirling campus and is open for all to apply.

Housing

This pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Providing Housing Services; Sustainable Communities; Organisational Behaviour; Delivering Affordable Housing; Housing Governance; Healthy Housing. This is a blended course which means it is delivered by a combination of online and on campus classes. If you are an international student and applying with a Student Visa, we can’t accept your application for this course as it is in the category of being part-time, delivered online or a distance learning course.

Social Work

Our Social Work pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Understanding Children and Young People's needs; Understanding Children and Young People's Needs; Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People; and several others. This course is delivered on the University of Stirling campus and is open for all to apply.

Substance Use

Our Substance Use pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Understanding Addiction: Society, Policy and Practice and Understanding Addiction: Treatment and Recovery. This is a blended course which means it is delivered by a combination of online and on campus classes. If you are an international student and applying with a Student Visa, we can’t accept your application for this course as it is in the category of being part-time, delivered online or a distance learning course.