Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Learn social research methods and the supporting theories and philosophies.
- Develop areas of specialist interests to integrate into your methodological training.
- Discuss research issues with students from other postgraduate and doctoral courses.
- Critique current developments and conduct your own original research.
On this course, you’ll focus on research specialisms encompassing sociology, social policy, politics, criminology, education studies, urban studies, youth studies and cultural studies. You’ll study a range of research methodologies – including interview-based narrative and biographical research, case studies, media analysis and statistical analysis of large data sets.
Graduate view
'The course was a perfect mix of social theory combined with practical research. It gave me the confidence and experience needed to secure my current job. I'm now working for a housing association in a policy and service development role.'
Pete Crean, MRes Social Science, 2018 graduate
How you learn
The course includes a research-based dissertation, which may become a pilot study towards a PhD. Several recent students have gone onto doctoral level study. You can also take individual modules as short courses or combine them towards a postgraduate diploma (PgDip) or certificate (PgCert) in Research Methods in Social Science.
You learn through
- essays
- research projects
- presentations
- research proposals
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Bob Jeffery
Course Leader MRes Social Research and Senior Lecturer in SociologyStaff profile for Dr Bob Jeffery, Course Leader MRes Social Research and Senior Lecturer in Sociology
Applied learning
Work placements
The entire MRes programme is geared towards applied learning – providing the skills (methodological, analytical, theoretical and practical) you’ll need to manage real-world research projects. These skills will be showcased in your extended dissertation.
Beyond this, you’ll have the opportunity to arrange a two-week long work placement with one of Sheffield Hallam University’s externally facing research centres – such as the Centre for Development and Research in Education, the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research and the Sheffield Institute for Policy Studies. This will give you valuable insight into the world of policy-oriented research.
In addition to this, you will also be able to access the Professional Skills for Research Leadership programme of events, which provides advice and skills for those seeking to pursue research careers inside and outside of academia.
Live projects
In the Sociology subject group, we conduct real-world research projects and publish academic books and articles in a wide range of areas. These include postcolonial studies, gender and sexuality, research methods and reflexivity, addiction and recovery, health policy, social class and class identities, employment and welfare reform, protest and policing, evaluation of educational interventions, subcultures and consumption.
Staff from Sociology have been submitted to the most recent Research Excellence Framework. Sheffield Hallam University is also part of the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership – funded by the Economic and Social Research Council to recognise excellence in the delivery of research methods instruction.
Networking opportunities
Alongside your fellow MRes Social Science students, you’ll benefit from a learning environment where you share some classes with doctoral students – giving you the opportunity to debate, share ideas and organise reading and study support sessions.
Competitions
You’ll have an opportunity to gain experience in the dissemination of research – by presenting your research projects at the annual Postgraduate Research and Early Careers Research Poster Conference and Competition.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- social policy
- research administration
- senior executive officer positions
- the probation service
- research and lecturing
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- BMI General Healthcare
- Thornbury Hospital, Sheffield
- Graduate Centre, Sheffield Hallam University
- Department for Education and Employment
- National Probation Service
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities in the last five years, to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
Typically a 2.2 degree in a suitable subject. For example, sociology, social policy, criminology, cultural studies, youth studies, education, politics, urban studies, human geography, community studies, subcultural studies, audience studies, health policy, sexualities, policing, and drug rehabilitation.
International students must have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skill areas.
You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Philosophies Of Research: Classical Social Theory
Philosophies Of Research: Contemporary Social Theory
Principles Of Methodology: Positivist Tradition
Principles Of Methodology: Social Constructionism
Final year
Compulsory modules
Dissertation (Social Sciences)
Qualitative Research 1
Qualitative Research 2
Survey Method 1: Design And Application
Survey Method 2: Descriptive Analysis And Statistical Significance
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting distance learning study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £5,310 per year.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
This course is not eligible for full-time Student visa sponsorship. International/EU students may apply for part-time Student visa sponsorship on an individual basis. Please contact Admissions for further advice. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £8,865 per year.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences (PDF, 154.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
