Postgraduate Study
This programme enables students to acquire first-class methodological expertise, and, if desired, to combine this with substantive research into their chosen topic.
Students are normally required to take four clinics from the Institute's programme in each of the first two years. Students without sufficient background in research methods may also be required to take additional taught modules in their first year. Normally, these will be chosen from the modules on Research Design, Philosophy of Social Sciences, Qualitative Methods and Quantitative Methods offered by the MA in Research Methods (MARM) consortium that jointly delivers MA training.
Supervision is usually provided jointly by the MDI and one of the other Schools or Institutes, depending on the area of research.
Further details are available from the University of Nottingham Postgraduate Prospectus . Please email the Methods and Data Institute if you would like to discuss your research interests further.
Why Focus on Methods?
PhDs with strong training in social science methods have demonstrably better chances in the labour market after graduation, irrespective of whether they pursue an academic career, or one in government or industry.
Graduates with training in social research methods are particularly sought by the many research institutes that inform governmental agencies, by commercial market research and advisory firms, and by research-oriented academic institutions in the UK and elsewhere.
MDI Funding Opportunities
Students from the UK and elsewhere in the EU are eligible to apply for the Institute's annual fee waiver competition. Please contact us for further information.