Applied Social and Community Research – (M.A.)

This course is designed to provide practical and comprehensive postgraduate training in social research methods. It builds on the school's excellent public service and community-based research activities, including the university's unique Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP), and the school's excellent relationships with a number of public service providers. The programme is also based on a range of specific academic research expertise in a range of social science disciplines. The degree will be suitable for those wishing to continue to a research degree (MPhil / PhD), or those seeking an immediate career in a public social research agency or similar.

The first part of the Social and Community Research MA provides foundational postgraduate training across a range of interdisciplinary methods and social theory. The second part allows students to focus their practical experience and dissertation topic. The School of Applied Social Science comprises three main research groups: health and social policy, psycho-social studies, and criminology; staff explore cross-cutting themes such as violence, inter-agency partnership, and many staff use a multi-disciplinary theoretical focus. Staff can support students wishing to specialise in a large range of applied social science subjects including applied psychology, criminology, psycho-social studies, sociology, health studies and social policy.

The University of Brighton provides a dynamic social research environment with exciting opportunities for engagement in research that addresses contemporary social science themes and issues. The staff group have particular expertise in quantitative approaches, contemporary developments in qualitative methods and the latest participatory approaches. Students can take the research practice element and negotiate involvement in a range of community based organisations. Alternatively, major degree electives are available in public management or health promotion. These major electives use existing options on the Graduate Programme in Health and Social Sciences.