
About this program
Social Science Research Methods (Social Work) (Taught)
The PgDip Social Science Research Methods will provide you with advanced training in research methods across the full range of the social sciences. All course pathways have ESRC recognition and meet the training requirements for ESRC PhD funding.
This programme offers extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary study, the application of social research expertise for occupational career development, and the pursuit of substantive area of interest at postgraduate level.
You’ll be provided with a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of how to construct effective research studies, of the variety of data collection methods available to the social scientist and of the principal methods of analysing social scientific data. You’ll also be introduced to the political and ethical frameworks within which social science research is conducted, and to some of the ways in which the results of social science research are disseminated.
Social Work pathway
The School of Social Sciences has a strong track record of undertaking high quality national and international research. Through the Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE) and the centre for the Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) we have strong expertise on a range of social care topics.
This expertise has helped us to develop specialist teaching that enable students to gain a greater understanding and capability in researching social care.
Admission requirements
Applicants should normally hold a first or upper second-class undergraduate degree in a humanities or social sciences subject. However, other applicants will be considered if they can demonstrate, through recent and relevant experience, that they have the ability to undertake the course.
Applicants whose first language is not English are required to obtain a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing, and at least 5.5 in all other sub-sections. An equivalency in another English Language qualification may be accepted. Applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
This course is suitable for graduates in social science and cognate disciplines including sociology, politics, critical psychology, education, social policy and social work, criminology, management and business studies, history, area studies, geography, pedagogy, public administration, industrial and employee relations, and law.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Program content
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/23 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.
Social Science Research Methods (Social Work) (Taught) (Full time)
Year one
- Developing Core Research Skills
- Foundations of Social Science Research
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Research Applications
Social Science Research Methods (Social Work) (Taught) (Part time)
Year one
Optional modules
- Developing Core Research Skills
- Foundations of Social Science Research
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Research Applications
- Social Work Research in Action
Year two
Optional modules
- Developing Core Research Skills
- Foundations of Social Science Research
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Research Applications
- Social Work Research in Action
Scholarships & funding
For more information about scholarships, please visit the university website.
Tuition
Full-Time tuition fees
- UK students:£8,200
- International students:£18,700
Part-Time tuition fees
- UK students:£4,100
- International students:£9,350
For more information about tuition fee, please visit the university website.
Qualification
What skills will I practise and develop?
You will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills which are discipline specific and more general ‘employability’ skills.
Graduates from this program will be able to:
- Critically evaluate existing knowledge, scholarship and research, and appreciate competing claims and theoretical perspectives.
- Apply their knowledge and skills and show originality in their thinking by tackling both familiar and unfamiliar problems.
- As appropriate, evaluate, synthesise and interpret data, and be able to collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret data in the form of a project or dissertation.
- Demonstrate high level academic and personal skills applicable to their own research or scholarship, such as writing, oral presentations, problem solving and group work, and the use and application of information technologies in, for example, literature searches, research methods, and data analysis and presentation.
- Engage with information technologies to collect and analyse data.
Continuing studies
This program provides appropriate training for proceeding to a PhD.
Career paths
This program provides knowledge and expertise suitable for careers in research and development, business, market studies, public agencies at international, national and local levels, education, teaching and other public services work, and voluntary organisations.
Previous students from this course have gone on to a variety of roles including:
- Researchers/policy advisors for third sector organisations
- Local and national government researcher posts
- Researcher roles in Higher Educational Institutions
- Further studies at doctoral level.
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About this institute

Cardiff University
Cardiff University is among the top 25 universities in the UK and is ranked 154th in the world. Founded in 1883, Cardiff University combines a prestigious heritage with impressive modern facilities, on one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK....
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Cardiff University
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