Our Postgraduate Diploma in Social Science Research Methods aims to provide advanced training in research methods across the full range of the social sciences. 

You will be provided with a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of how to construct effective research studies, of the variety of data collection methods available to the social scientist and of the principal methods of analysing social scientific data. You will also be introduced to the political and ethical frameworks within which social science research is conducted, and to some of the ways in which the results of social science research are disseminated.

The course pathways have ESRC recognition and they each provide the appropriate training basis for proceeding to a PhD. These programmes provide extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary study, the application of social research expertise for occupational career development, and the pursuit of substantive areas of interest at postgraduate level. 

Education pathway

Research training in Education builds on the internationally recognised research carried out by our academic staff. You will benefit from this specialist expertise in education research, as well as from our interdisciplinary profile and the wider Cardiff University Research and Graduate School (RGS) in the Social Sciences, which acts as a focal point for students from social science departments throughout the University.

You will be encouraged to attend and participate in the activities of our many research groups. Education students are formally located into at least one of the following research groups:

• Education Research Group
• Labour Research Group
• Childhood
• Ethnography, Culture and Interpretive Analysis
• Sexualities and Gender
• Work, Employability and Labour Markets
• Culture, Imagination & Practice

These groups hold regular programmes of meetings which provide opportunities for researchers to share ideas and discuss issues in the policy and practice of education-related research.

Nodweddion unigryw

You will be supervised by academic staff with considerable expertise in their chosen fields. These staff members are actively involved in disseminating research via publications in academic and practitioner journals, books and presentations to conferences. Many staff members are involved in editing or reviewing for scholarly management journals.

Ffeithiau allweddol

Meini prawf derbyn

Applicants should normally hold a first or upper second-class undergraduate degree in a humanities or social sciences subject. However, other applicants will be considered if they can demonstrate, through recent and relevant experience, that they have the ability to undertake the course.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to obtain a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing, and at least 5.5 in all other sub-sections. An equivalency in another English Language qualification may be accepted. Applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.

This course is suitable for graduates in social science and cognate disciplines including sociology, politics, critical psychology, education, social policy and social work, criminology, management and business studies, history, area studies, geography, pedagogy, public administration, industrial and employee relations, and law.

Application deadline: 31 August

Rhagor o wybodaeth am ofynion Iaith Saesneg.

Mae'n rhaid i ymgeiswyr sydd angen fisa Haen 4 i astudio yn y DU gyflwyno cymhwyster iaith Saesneg derbyniol er mwyn bodloni gofynion UKVI (Fisâu a Mewnfudo y DU).