Nottingham ESRC Doctoral Training Programmes

Masters in Social Science Research (MSSR)

All partner institutions of the Midlands Graduate School (MGS) each deliver a Masters in Social Science Research (MSSR) designed to meet the ESRC's compulsory core training requirements.

Please note that for the Economics pathway, applicants can instead complete the integrated MRes/PhD programme in Economics.

Structure (2024/25 academic year)
Structure (total = 180 credits)
 Core Modules (3 x 20 credits)  60 credits
 Dissertation  60 credits
 Subject specific or advanced modules  60 credits
 
Core Modules (2024/25 academic year)

Broadly speaking, every instance of the MSSR will contain all of the following core modules. However, for pathways where some core competencies will have been met prior to entry (e.g. quantitative methods in Economics), the relevant core module will be substituted for Advanced Training.

 
Subject specific / advanced modules (2024/25 academic year)

All students will take at least 20 credits of subject-spefic modules. Depending on which pathway you are studying in, students will either take a further 20 credits of subject-specific training, or 20 credits of Advanced Training from a range of modules offered across the partnership. More details about Advanced Training options are provided here

 
Dissertation
All MSSR students will have to complete a masters-level dissertation before progressing onto the PhD element of the studentship. 
 
Part-time Options (2024/25 academic year)

The following serves in principle, as a part-time structure for the MSSR. If a student requires a different structure, they should contact Professor David Murphy, Head of Training, for approval, and make sure they have made their home School aware.

Year 1: 80 credits
 Autumn Spring
 Research Design, Practise and Ethics (20 credits)  Foundations in Qualitative Methods (20 credits)
 Either semester: 20 credits of advanced or subject specific modules (depending on pathway)
 40-60 credits  20-40 credits

 

Year 2: 100 credits including dissertation
 Autumn Spring Summer
 Fundamentals in Quantitative Research Methods (20 credits)    Dissertation (60 credits)
 Either semester: 20 credits of advanced or subject specific modules (depending on pathway)
 20-40 credits  0-20 credits  60 credits
 

Nottingham ESRC Doctoral Training Programmes

University Park
Nottingham
NG7 2RD

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 4708
email: esrc-dtc@nottingham.ac.uk