ObjectivesThis course integrates a core of social research with marketing and market research. Modules are shared with the nationally recognised and long established MSc Social Research.This provides students with an opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the research processes.This programme extends that knowledge to the specific area of marketing research. It allows students to specialise and provides important industry-relevant skills.In recent years the public sector has moved its research focus increasingly towards market and marketing applications. The private sector, meanwhile, has developed its expertise in researching services, and more recently not-for-profit markets, as well as becoming increasingly aware of the importance of its societal marketing role. This award has been developed in response to these changes, which blur the traditional distinctions between social and marketing research. The award is intended for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of social research theory and practice, and to apply this knowledge to specific market, marketing research and societal marketing contexts. It can be studied either before taking up employment, whilst in employment as part of a career development programme, or as a forerunner to doctoral research. The degree provides students with a relevant, advanced and sophisticated understanding of market(ing) and social research processes.In addition, because this programme uses a core of modules which are utilised on a suite of similar programmes there is flexibility to change between these programmes if a student so wishes. (MSc Social Research, MSc Social Research and Evaluation and MSc Social and Education Research).
Entry requirementsEntry requirementsA good honours degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional qualification. Other applications will be considered depending on experience, motivation and aptitude.
Course descriptionProgramme highlights
-Provides specific, industry relevant research skills
-Flexible structure
-Can be taken full or part time (up to 5 years)
-Undertake a professional research placement instead of the traditional dissertation
Modules can be taken as ‘stand alone’ courses, no need to sign up to the whole programme
Further study, research and employment opportunities
This programme is suited equally to those wishing to pursue an academic research career and those seeking employment in the market research industry.
General programme structure
The programme can be taken as a series of separate stand alone modules. There are some constraints in terms of the order in which modules must be taken. In addition there is a postgraduate diploma and MSc stage to the programme.
The PgDip element comprises all the taught modules with the exception of the dissertation or work-based placement, and can be taken as a stand – alone qualification. A further period spent researching and writing a dissertation or placement project leads to the MSc award.
If you study on a full-time basis, the MSc programme lasts one calendar year, starting in September. Attendance is for two full days a week during term times; these teaching days are at present almost always timetabled for Mondays and Fridays. Typically, part-time study takes two years, and attendance is for one day. In year one, at present this is a Monday, and in year two, Friday. However, you may take the programme over a maximum period of five years.
This is an innovative programme in social and marketing research. The university has a long and distinguished record of marketing and business expertise, which is here combined with its flagship programme in social science research methods.
This gives you the opportunity to learn about market research through practical experience. It combines a sound academic grounding in social research methods with practical marketing research skills.
Detailed programme structure
-Social research design
-Philosophical and methodological foundations of the social sciences
-Quantitative analysis using SPSS, descriptive and bivariate statistics.
-Qualitative approaches to social research
-Practical fieldwork skills
-Project planning
-Marketing management
-Competitive marketing strategy
-Marketing research, methods and proactice
-Placement option available