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MPhil/PhD in Social Policy

Programme Code: RPSA

Department: Social Policy

For students starting this programme of study in 2022/23

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:

 

MY500 Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design (0.5)

 

MY521L Qualitative Research Methods (0.5) 1

 

MY521M Qualitative Research Methods (0.5)

 

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

 

MY551L Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (0.5) 2

 

MY551M 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):

 

MY552L Applied Regression Analysis (0.5) # 3

 

MY552M 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)

Prerequisite Requirements and Mutually Exclusive Options

1 : MY521L can not be taken with MY521M

2 : MY551L can not be taken with MY551M

3 : MY552L can not be taken with MY552M

# 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.