MPhil/PhD in Social Policy
Programme Code: RPSA
Department: Social Policy
For students starting this programme of study in 2025/26
Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations
Paper |
Course number, title (unit value) | |
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Year 1 |
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Training courses |
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SP420 Understanding Policy Research (Advanced) (0.5) |
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Optional (not examined): If not already taken previously: MY500 Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design (0.5) |
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MY521A Qualitative Research Methods (0.5) |
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MY521W Qualitative Research Methods (0.5) |
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MY525 Case Studies and Comparative Methods for Qualitative Research (0.5) # (suspended 2025/26) |
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MY551A Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (0.5) |
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MY551W Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (0.5) |
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Transferable skills courses |
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Compulsory (not examined): SP501 Research Student Seminar (0.0) |
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Optional (not examined): Relevant courses provided by the Library, Teaching and Learning Centre and Department of Methodology. | ||
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Year 2 |
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Training courses |
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Optional (not examined): |
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Transferable skills courses |
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Optional (not examined): SP501 Research Student Seminar (0.0) |
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Year 3 |
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Transferable skills courses |
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Optional (not examined): SP501 Research Student Seminar (0.0) |
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Year 4 |
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Transferable skills courses |
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Optional (not examined): SP501 Research Student Seminar (0.0) |
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Footnotes
# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.
A: Training courses: Students will discuss with their supervisors any other methodological training that may be relevant for the successful completion of the MPhil/PhD programme.
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).
Composition of Theses
PhD theses, whether comprising papers or in book format are normally expected to contain a minimum of three substantive chapters / papers of which a minimum of two should be sole authored. Theses are also normally expected to contain a substantive introduction and conclusion which locate the thesis within the general field to which it makes a contribution.
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.