Master of Science in Social Science Research Methods (Politics)

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

The Department of Philosophy has exceptional research strength in philosophy of physics, and very strong links with the University's School of Physics. The latest Philosophical Gourmet Report ranked Bristol as the fourth strongest department in the UK for Philosophy of Physics and the joint strongest for General Philosophy of Science. The department is home to the Centre for Science and Philosophy and regularly hosts major research projects in philosophy of science (see our research pages)..

This MA draws on these outstanding research strengths. It is intended both for students who wish to specialise in philosophy of physics at a higher level, and for individuals with a background in physics or mathematics who wish to make a transition to philosophy and foundations of physics.

The MA is an exciting programme consisting of taught components in philosophy and physics, as well as a dissertation which is an opportunity to work on an extended and original piece of research on a topic of your choosing, with guidance from a research supervisor.

This degree develops analytical and quantitative skills applicable to a wide range of careers in economics and beyond.

We teach economics in a technically rigorous way. Econometrics - the application of statistical methods to data to estimate economic models - is a central component of the course.

In your first two years, mandatory units in macro and micro-economics, mathematics, statistics and econometrics provide you with a strong foundation. You will complement this with optional modules from a wide range of choices both within the Schools of Economics, Finance and Management and from other parts of the University. The number of options increases as you progress through the degree, so you have the flexibility to select units from the areas of economics that most interest you.

In the final year most students choose an applied economics dissertation. You will also also select from a wide range of optional units; in recent years these have included Behavioural Economics, Corporate Finance, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Industrial Economics, International Economics and Operations Management.

The Study Abroad in a Modern Language course allows you to extend your degree to four years, spending your third year studying economics at a university in Europe or farther afield before returning to Bristol for your final year. You will study in the language of your host country and take language courses in your first and second years in preparation.

This course combines the challenging, broad academic content of our economics degree with an overseas dimension that reflects the international nature of the economy.

This four-year course is ideal for those considering scientific careers that will make direct use of their subject-specific knowledge and skills.

Our degrees incorporate units in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The first year gives you a comprehensive grounding in these subjects, while later years focus on atomic and molecular science and its interdisciplinary applications.

You will focus on areas at the interface between chemistry and physics, with limited treatment of organic chemistry and more physical and non-synthetic inorganic chemistry. Similarly, there is very little nuclear and particle physics after your first year but an emphasis on materials science and nanoscience.

As well as lectures and practical classes, small-group tutorials and workshops help develop your understanding of challenging and exciting concepts. Practical labs in both chemistry and physics help develop experimental techniques, computational modelling and programming skills needed in the final year for conducting a research project with a research team.

Our MSci course is suited to you if you want to take your understanding of the subject to the next level. The experience gained in this course will maximise your career options, especially in science, and provides pathways into postgraduate study here or elsewhere.

The first two years are common to all of our degree courses. You will study fundamental concepts in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and applications in areas such as analytical, environmental, materials and theoretical chemistry. You will develop your ability to design experiments and interpret results and will gain key skills through our chemistry-specific communications and mathematics units.

Your final year includes a 20-week research project in which you willwork with an academic member of staff and their research team on a current problem in chemistry.

Learn computational and statistical skills that are in high demand from top employers or gain a strong basis for further study – this three-year course provides a rigorous foundation in mathematics.

Our lecturers are passionate about their subject, with modules informed by cutting-edge research. You can shape your degree to suit your interests; you could discover units like Complex Networks and Probability alongside your core modules, or choose optional vocational units like Financial Risk Management or Maths in Schools to prepare you for a particular career.

The curriculum currently includes opportunities to learn the statistical computing environment R, the Bayesian approach to estimation and prediction, and how to design powerful tests for statistical hypotheses.

The first year provides a broad background in pure, applied and statistical mathematics via a range of compulsory units. You'll cover material in lectures and small-group tutorials, with the freedom to explore a range of topics in collaboration with your personal tutor and fellow students.

From year two you will focus more on statistics and probability, although there is still scope to take some units from other areas.

As you move through the course you will gain academic independence, moving from small-group tutorial teaching in year one to an optional, independent project in your final year.

This program gives you the opportunity to extend your core sociological knowledge and understanding. It will also bolster your understanding of the subject if your background is in a related area, but you do not have specialist knowledge of sociology.

The key learning goals are to develop your critical use and comprehension of social theory, while gaining a grounding in methodologies and techniques of enquiry. There is also a focus on distinctive, substantive sociological topics, such as ethnicity, multiculturalism, gender, sexuality, religion and culture.

The dissertation gives you the opportunity to pursue a sociological project of your choice in greater depth, while still providing close academic supervision.

If you enjoy the satisfaction of applying real-world mathematical knowledge and are interested in a career in finance, this practical course will help you stand out to top employers.

Our lecturers are passionate about their subject, with modules informed by cutting-edge research; you'll learn statistical skills from leading mathematicians.

Shape your degree to suit your interests and pick from an extensive range of topics alongside your core units in Financial Mathematics and Financial Risk Management.

The first year provides a broad background in pure, applied and statistical mathematics via a range of compulsory units. You'll cover material in lectures and small-group tutorials, with the freedom to explore a range of topics in collaboration with your personal tutor and fellow students.

From year two you will focus more on units that relate to statistics for use in finance, although there is still scope to take some units from other areas.

As you move through the course you will gain academic independence, moving from small-group tutorial teaching in year one to an optional, independent project in your final year.