Master of Science in Social Science Research Methods (Politics)

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

The first year gives you a comprehensive grounding in chemistry, physics and mathematics. 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 less organic and synthetic 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. You will undertake a project or scientific dissertation, working in a research group with an academic.

The course is accredited by both the Institute of Physics and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

This course offers a superb grounding in chemistry with the opportunity to specialise in your final year. 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 also develop your ability to design experiments and interpret results, and gain key skills through our chemistry-specific communications and mathematics units.

Our BSc course includes a final year project. Options include working in a research laboratory or in a local school helping to develop science resources or carrying out chemistry education research.

We are one of the UK’s biggest chemistry schools and we have a superb reputation for teaching and research; over a third of our research was rated 'world-leading' in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.

The programme provides intensive training in the neurosciences as they relate to the physiologic function and behaviour of the organism. It builds on the broad research strengths of recognised scientists, particularly in basic and clinical neuroscience, molecular and cell biology, neuroendocrinology, behaviour, neurodegeneration and stress. Guest lecturers from other universities bring their specialist and advanced knowledge to the programme.

Throughout the programme, basic principles will be taught and illustrated in the context of various brain diseases, including psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. A practical and a research project will give you valuable experience in experimental neuroscience, while tutorials and presentations will also help to develop your communication skills.

The MSc will appeal to graduates looking to progress to PhD study as well as those with medical training who want to diversify into research. You could also move on to a career in industry, the health service, science communication or clinical trials coordination.

This MSc conversion program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It is designed for students from non-psychology backgrounds and provides training in the theories and methods of contemporary psychological science. After successfully completing the program, you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS, which is a prerequisite for pursuing a career in psychology.

You will learn the theories of social, cognitive, developmental, biological and individual differences psychology, and develop the skills to understand and apply the research on which these theories are based. You will also learn how to design research studies and analyse data to provide valid answers to meaningful psychological research questions.

In your dissertation, you will combine these skills and knowledge to develop, carry out and report on a substantial piece of original, empirical research.

Teaching and dissertation supervision is undertaken by internationally renowned academics, who employ a variety of teaching and assessment methods (eg lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratories, essays, reports, examinations). These methods help you to develop transferable skills, such as critical thinking, psychological and scientific literacy, research skills, teamwork, and oral and written communication skills, which are valued by employers across a wide range of industries. They also help to prepare you for further postgraduate study in psychology.

Our education master's degrees give you the opportunity to design a tailored program of study that suits your cultural and learning needs. You will be able to specialise and receive an award in a particular disciplinary area.

The Leadership and Policy pathway will help you develop the theoretical knowledge and skills to lead quality improvement and promote social justice within organisations. You will critically engage with ideas and practices around leading and managing organisational change and educational effectiveness.

This program is designed for professionals with, ideally, some experience in education as a teacher, administrator, university lecturer or early-years practitioner.

This pathway attracts a diverse cohort of professionals, who bring their unique perspectives and experience to our highly interactive teaching and learning environment. Graduates have gone on to become education ministers, advisers, school leaders and university-based researchers, and to lead training within business organisations.

This four-year course has the same basic structure as BSc Geography but you will spend your third year studying geography and other subjects at a partner university.

In year one you receive an overview of human and physical geography, and develop a range of geographical and scientific skills. The remaining years are organised around specialist units from human and/or physical geography.

Physical geography units cover three broad areas: glaciology, hydrology and environmental change.

Human geography units provide in-depth study of cultural, economic and social geography, emphasising the importance of theory and methods for analysing contemporary geographical problems and policies. Topics range from economic development and global politics to inequalities of health and contemporary social theory.

You will develop skills in the use of specialised computer software, statistics and data collection in the field. You will also take relevant language units to prepare you for studying in Europe.

Field trips and practical work are key components of the course. There are UK residential trips in year one and in year two there is an overseas field trip.

Your third-year studies abroad will be arranged on an individual basis. You will study in the language of your host country. We currently have exchange agreements with universities in Barcelona, Bonn, Grenoble, Paris, Lyon, Valencia and others. Visit Global Opportunities to find out more about where you can study abroad.

The skills that you acquire throughout your studies will be applied in a self-directed dissertation project in your final year.