MSc Social Research Methods

About the MSc programme

This programme is based in LSE's Department of Methodology and offers the following benefits:

• It provides advanced training in quantitative and qualitative social research methods, in the context of a disciplinary specialisation.
• The MSc is designed as a training for doctoral research and as a pre-professional training for careers in social research in the public and private sectors.
• Study within the LSE Department of Methodology, which is a base for cross-disciplinary research and teaching in the broad area of social science methodology.
• The Department has links with both governmental and private sector research groups.
• The programme is taught with other departments in the School.

Programme details

You take compulsory courses in research design, quantitative analysis and qualitative research methods. You also submit a research report of 10,000 words, and you have the chance to take workshops on computer packages for quantitative and qualitative analysis during the year.

Compulsory courses

(* half unit)

• Introduction to Quantitative Analysis* students select two half units that cover quantitative data analysis from a basic to advanced level.
• Qualitative Research Methods* addresses methods of data collection and analysis of qualitative data.
• Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design* provides a basic knowledge of social research design.
• Dissertation.

Students will be expected to choose courses to the value of one unit from a range of optional courses: sociology, social psychology, philosophy, social policy, statistics, decision and policy sciences, government, international development, management, population or methodology.

You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses for MSc Social Research Methods in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, some circumstances may cause the School to subsequently change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to circumstances outside of its control. You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee places on its courses. You should visit the School's Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the Updated graduate course and programme information page.

Graduate destinations

Almost 50 per cent of the graduates of this programme have entered PhD programmes, or are working in social research in universities or national and local government.