Develop the skills and knowledge to become a highly skilled social science researcher.
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
Join us online or in person to find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Upcoming eventsPrepare for a career in social science research.
This course gives you the ideal platform to showcase your capabilities to future employers and PhD programmes alike – so you can break new ground in the worlds of professional and academic research.
Drawing on expertise from across the social sciences, you'll develop highly sought-after research skills to world-class standards. You can tailor your studies to your own interests from the social sciences, and you'll complete a dissertation in one of our departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences:
The MA is recognised by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), so it's ideal if you are seeking ESRC funding for a PhD. This recognition also demonstrates the high quality of the training you'll receive.
Our staff are world-leading experts, and this translates directly to our interdisciplinary postgraduate teaching
Develop highly sought after practical, qualitative and quantitative research skills
You'll be taught by internationally recognised experts, across a number of social science disciplines and experience exceptional teaching in both qualitative and quantitative methods. From day one, you'll be encouraged to produce your own original research and become an autonomous researcher capable of researching key societal issues.
When you’re equipped with the latest concepts, methods and techniques that underpin the research process, you’ll strengthen your analytical skills to take your research career to the next level. You'll develop interview and other data collection techniques and become proficient in methods of data analysis, including visual, conversation, regression and multiple correspondence analysis.
At the heart of this degree is an opportunity to put your training into practice through an original research project, with expert guidance from academics that are at the forefront of research.
You'll study core modules and undertake a dissertation. You'll choose option modules to complement your research interests.
We cannot accept credit transfer or recognition of prior learning in place of any of the core modules on this course, as outlined in the ESRC Postgraduate Training and Development Guidelines.
You will also study two option modules. We work with a range of academics departments across the University, to give you a wide variety of options. In previous years, options have covered topics such as:
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
You'll undertake an in-depth study of a topic of your choice, guided one-to-one by an academic supervisor based in a department relevant to your area of research.
You'll develop and demonstrate skills in the planning, definition and management of a substantial piece of enquiry that will further knowledge in your chosen specialist field.
You'll demonstrate skills in literature review, research design, data analysis and critical evaluation and synthesis.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
I've enjoyed thinking at an academic level again, especially about new concepts that have developed since I finished my undergraduate degree.Tim, MA Social Research
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £11,200 | £25,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£5,600 | £12,950 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
You may need to buy a small number of textbooks. Printing costs will depend on if you prefer to read online or on paper.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, lab work and one-to-one supervision. We offer a personal approach to learning with much of our teaching conducted in small groups.
A member of the teaching staff will act as your supervisor throughout the degree, to help guide your studies and monitor progress.
Teaching location to be confirmed
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You'll be assessed through a variety of methods including ‘open’ essays (where an assignment is prepared in your own time), presentations, group work and a dissertation.
Graduates finish this course well equipped to pursue further study, such as a PhD. You will also gain relevant and highly sought-after skills that qualify you for a research career in academic institutions, local and central government or commercial research.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant subject. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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