MPhil/PhD in Social Policy

Programme code: RPSA

Department: Social Policy

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.

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

Year 1
Training courses
Optional (not examined)
If not already taken previously:
SA451 Social Policy Research
MY400 Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design (H)
MY521 Qualitative Research Methods (H)
MY551M or MY551L Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (H)

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)
SA550 Research Student Seminar

Optional (not examined)
Relevant courses provided by the Library, Teaching and Learning Centre and Methodology Institute

Year 2
Training courses
Optional (not examined)
MY552M or MY552L Applied Regression Analysis (H)
MY555 Multivariate Analysis and Measurement (H)

Transferable skills courses
Optional (not examined)
SA550 Research Student Seminar

Year 3
Transferable skills courses
Optional (not examined)
SA550 Research Student Seminar

Year 4
Transferable skills courses
Optional (not examined)
SA550 Research Student Seminar

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 SA550 seminar prior to the submission of their major review document and to address issues raised by the Doctoral Programme Director(s).