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In the UK, you’ll find that there are both traditional and ground-breaking postgraduate courses in the social sciences, explains Gill Sharp
Social sciences covers a broad range of subjects and areas within vocational and academic sectors. For example, there are programmes in politics, psychology, sociology, social policy, social research, criminology, gender studies and development, which are available either academically or vocationally. Some programmes combine academic and vocational aspects – for instance, an MA in Social Work gives you professional training as well as a higher degree
Vocational programmes are about acquiring and using job-related skills rather than academic debate or research. Find out if visa regulations mean that you will be able to work in the UK after qualifying: non-European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) citizens will find it difficult to get a work permit. Also check if you will be able to use these skills in your home country or elsewhere in the world, by contacting professional bodies in the UK like the Law Society, the British Association of Social Workers and the British Psychological Society. UK qualifications are normally transferable throughout the EU. They are also often received favourably in countries with historic links to the UK (such as Australia and New Zealand), but extra training may be needed there.
The choice of academic programmes is wide. There are numerous MA courses in straightforward government and politics and a huge number focusing on international relations, either worldwide or in one area, such as Europe.
Development, conflict and – once again – human rights are further key topics. Newer programmes on global security have been established at such universities as Reading, King’s College London and St Andrews. Development is also thriving, with disaster management an expanding field, at a range of universities. ‘One-off’ programmes include intelligence (Aberystwyth) and diplomacy (Nottingham).
Criminology, healthcare, sociology and social research are big fields. They may take a general approach or focus on items like substance abuse, youth justice, child protection and prison management. Courses looking at issues around gender have increased.
How much do programmes cost? Average fees for UK and EU students can be under £2,000, but are more likely to range from about £3,500 to £8,000 for an MA, or more for vocational programmes. Rates of around £9,000–£10,000 are common for non-EU students, although a few universities now give the home rate to all students. Check individual prospectuses, as there are usually bursaries for each department. International scholarships are also available on a limited basis. Students on research-based programmes are often able to obtain awards, especially at MPhil/PhD level.
Taught programmes
Most postgraduate programmes are ‘taught’ through formal lectures and group tutorials. While some programmes grade students by tests and exams, others offer continuous assessment through regular assignments and projects. Dissertations (ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 words) are often optional, but essay writing is part of every course. Increasingly, accredited work placements count towards the final result.
Taught programmes in sociology or social research equip students with formal training in research methods, statistical packages (such as SPSS), quantitative and qualitative research methods, and different ways of acquiring and interpreting data. Many also include lengthy fieldwork and ‘live’ projects.
Research-based programmes
The majority of research programmes are MPhils and PhDs. These are normally for graduates who already have a master’s and/or work experience. It is comparatively rare to go straight into these courses with just a first degree. An MPhil might take three to five years to complete, and a PhD four to six years. It is essential to be motivated and to have your own ideas for original research topics. Some programmes now include initial lectures, tutorials, and an introduction to research and statistical techniques and resources. But, for the majority of the time, students are expected to manage their own work, to generate individual or collaborative research papers and to discuss progress with their supervisor every few months. At the end of their research, students have to produce an extended report or thesis (about 40,000–60,000 words) on their findings and discuss them in a final oral exam (the ‘viva’) with a panel of academics.
A few master’s degrees in law and social sciences are available by research, and are particularly useful to students intending to take a PhD later. Those without formal research skills are taught these at the beginning of the programme.
EU and international students specialising in sociology, healthcare and psychology often return home to work in academia or policy making, or to train in such areas as social work or youth work. Having studied and experienced different systems, they can advise on new ideas and share good practice. Those with higher-level qualifications in government and politics have good prospects as civil servants and government advisers in their own countries. For UK and EU students, this includes opportunities in the European institutions of Brussels and Luxembourg. Consultancy roles and jobs in the media are other possibilities. The United Nations and similar institutions insist on a master’s degree as the minimum entry criterion and also emphasise the importance of work or study in other countries. The same is true of development: a master’s combined with time abroad will boost your chances in a very competitive sector.
Mahlia from India worked on the Indian subcontinent and in China before doing an MA in Development at London University. She says: ‘Most people on my course have spent one or two years getting involved in community projects overseas before coming here to study. The ones with less experience need to get internships because they are at a disadvantage. My classmates are from all over the world, so it’s been enormously useful to hear of their experiences and learn from them. I know that my MA will be a great help to starting my career at home before applying for a more senior post at the World Health Organization.’
Gill Sharp is a freelance careers consultant who has worked with law graduates for many years.
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