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MPhil/PhD in Social Policy

Programme Code: RPSA

Department: Social Policy

For students starting this programme of study in 2019/20

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

In addition to progressing with their research, students are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. Students may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with their supervisor.

Paper

Course number, title (unit value)

Year 1

Training courses

SP420 Understanding Policy Research (Advanced) (0.5) #

 

Optional (not examined):

If not already taken previously:

 

MY400 Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design (0.5)

 

MY425 Case Studies and Comparative Methods for Qualitative Research (0.5) #

 

MY521 Qualitative Research Methods (0.5)

 

MY525 Case Studies and Comparative Methods for Qualitative Research (0.5) #

 

MY551 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (0.5)

 

Students will discuss with their supervisors any other methodological training that may be relevant for the successful completion of the MPhil/PhD programme.

Transferable skills courses

Compulsory (not examined):

 

SP501 Research Student Seminar (0.0)

 

Optional (not examined):

 

Relevant courses provided by the Library, Teaching and Learning Centre and Department of Methodology.

Year 2

Training courses

Optional (not examined):

 

MY552 Applied Regression Analysis (0.5) #

 

MY555 Multivariate Analysis and Measurement (0.5) #

Transferable skills courses

Optional (not examined):

 

SP501 Research Student Seminar (0.0)

Year 3

Transferable skills courses

Optional (not examined):

 

SP501 Research Student Seminar (0.0)

Year 4

Transferable skills courses

Optional (not examined):

 

SP501 Research Student Seminar (0.0)

# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.

Progression and upgrade requirements

Each student is required to undertake Major Review in the summer term of their first year (second year for part-time students). For Major Review they must submit a 10,000 word document with a detailed thesis proposal, their research question, a literature review, a description of their methodology, their plans for data collection and a timetable through to completion. They are interviewed on this document by senior staff who make the decision on upgrading. 

Each year post-Major Review, every student is expected to submit a 1,000 to 2,000 word progress report, approved by supervisors, to the Doctoral Programme Director(s). 

Each pre-Major Review student is expected to make a presentation on their proposed research to the SP501 seminar prior to the submission of their major review document and to address issues raised by the Doctoral Programme Director(s).

Note for prospective students:
For changes to graduate course and programme information for the next academic session, please see the graduate summary page for prospective students. Changes to course and programme information for future academic sessions can be found on the graduate summary page for future students.