Applied Social Research (PGDip) (MSc)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. Other routes of entry If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. English language requirements If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills: IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill. Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band. See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements. Pre-sessional English language courses If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses .

Course details

Boost your research skills and expand your knowledge with in-depth postgraduate modules and a dissertation project. The MSc in Applied Social Research requires 120 credits in taught modules (usually by taking six 20-credit modules) and a dissertation (worth 60 credits). The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Research requires 120 credits in taught modules. Modules Teaching Teaching methods are designed for each module to help you develop new skills and make continuous progress. You’ll participate in lectures, seminars, tutorials, computer-based workshops and group work. If you're studying the course full-time, you'll usually take three 20-credit modules in both the Autumn and Spring semesters. You'll also complete your dissertation in the Autumn, Spring and Summer semesters. If you're studying part-time, you'll usually take one or two 20-credit modules in each Autumn and Spring Semester. You'll complete your dissertation over the course of your second year. Fieldwork The dissertation in an independent empirical research project which may involve some level of fieldwork activity depending upon methodology. Any fieldwork activity in this context is planned with and supported by an allocated personal supervisor. Assessment Whether you’re a full-time or part-time MSc/PgDip student, you’ll experience a range of different forms of assessment across the taught modules. These include essays, critical review essays, book reviews, research proposals, presentations, time limited tests and exercises, and the research dissertation. Classroom hours During Autumn and Spring semesters, most modules run one morning or one afternoon of scheduled teaching sessions each week. Timetabling is coordinated whenever possible, and in most circumstances, classes will not be run on more than two different days per week throughout a semester (although other optional activities may sometimes be available on other weekdays). There are not normally any scheduled classes that run in the Summer semester, though you will usually arrange to meet your dissertation supervisor on a few occasions within that period. Course director Professor Paul Lambert , Course Director

Fees and funding

Fees and costs University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship . Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship . If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students. If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans The full-time option for this course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Additional costs There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees . Scholarships and funding Funding If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances. Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships. Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. Cost of living If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income. International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling Payment options We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

You'll graduate from the Masters in Applied Social Research equipped for a successful social research career or to go onto further PhD study. Careers could be in organisations such as: Research agencies – some have social research dedicated sections Charities, non-governmental organisations, trade unions, pressure and lobby groups Academic research Government – central and local Health Authorities The Office for National Statistics Independent research institutes Types of jobs could include: Social research officer Government social research officer Research analyst Market researcher Data analyst You're likely to earn between £35,000 and £60,000 as a senior social researcher. Salaries at manager/director level can rise to £70,000+, depending on the sector and your location (Prospects). Stirling graduates have gone into varied roles such as: Quantitative Data Analyst Clinical Data Co-ordinator Population Health Research Data Collection Assistant PhD Research Student (followed by academic posts such as lecturer/professor) Research Assistant Research Associate Senior Research Officer Planning, Performance and Risk Manager UX Researcher Business Intelligence Analyst The organisations graduates work for include: NHS Research Scotland CELCIS (Centre of Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection) The Scottish Government South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership Scottish Prison Service Police Scotland Glasgow City Council