MSc Social and Behavioural Research Methods 12 months Postgraduate Programme By Heriot-Watt University |TopUniversities
Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

21,192 GBPTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

11Scholarships

Main Subject Area

SociologyMain Subject Area

Programme overview

Main Subject

Sociology

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The MSc Social and Behavioural Research Methods programme at Heriot-Watt University provides you with excellent training in Research Methods in the social and behavioural sciences and prepares you for a career in research, whether you want to work in academia, industry, or government.



During the Master’s programme, you will develop advanced research skills and techniques within Social Sciences. You will understand the principles of research design and strategy and be able to formulate research questions which are amenable to empirical investigation. You will be able to understand and apply a broad range of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative, and will use appropriate software for their application.



In semester 1, you will undertake research methods courses which provide you with a foundational understanding on how to do research in the Social Sciences, as well as introducing you to qualitative and quantitative research.  In semester 2, you will have the opportunity to choose four optional courses from across the School of Social Sciences within the broad disciplines of Business Management, Accounting and Finance, and Psychology, as well as courses designed to cut across disciplines. Each of these courses will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in research methods. We strongly encourage you to take an interdisciplinary approach in choosing your optional courses and develop your broad research skills, but you can also choose to follow a specific disciplinary pathway. This will allow you to customise your learning and develop your specific interests. Your dissertation in semester 3 will allow you to engage in an independent in-depth critical examination based on your core interest, whether it is an independent project in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, or Psychology.



You will benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, which will set you up for life after graduation. Upon completion, you will be able to use a significant range of professional skills, techniques, and materials to understand the application of good ethical practice across the entire research process. You can go on to Doctoral study after graduation, work in research consultancies, government offices, or charities. The career opportunities are numerous!

Programme overview

Main Subject

Sociology

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The MSc Social and Behavioural Research Methods programme at Heriot-Watt University provides you with excellent training in Research Methods in the social and behavioural sciences and prepares you for a career in research, whether you want to work in academia, industry, or government.



During the Master’s programme, you will develop advanced research skills and techniques within Social Sciences. You will understand the principles of research design and strategy and be able to formulate research questions which are amenable to empirical investigation. You will be able to understand and apply a broad range of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative, and will use appropriate software for their application.



In semester 1, you will undertake research methods courses which provide you with a foundational understanding on how to do research in the Social Sciences, as well as introducing you to qualitative and quantitative research.  In semester 2, you will have the opportunity to choose four optional courses from across the School of Social Sciences within the broad disciplines of Business Management, Accounting and Finance, and Psychology, as well as courses designed to cut across disciplines. Each of these courses will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills in research methods. We strongly encourage you to take an interdisciplinary approach in choosing your optional courses and develop your broad research skills, but you can also choose to follow a specific disciplinary pathway. This will allow you to customise your learning and develop your specific interests. Your dissertation in semester 3 will allow you to engage in an independent in-depth critical examination based on your core interest, whether it is an independent project in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, or Psychology.



You will benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, which will set you up for life after graduation. Upon completion, you will be able to use a significant range of professional skills, techniques, and materials to understand the application of good ethical practice across the entire research process. You can go on to Doctoral study after graduation, work in research consultancies, government offices, or charities. The career opportunities are numerous!

Admission Requirements

6+
A minimum of honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in a Social Sciences subject area. Examples of suitable degrees include Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Psychology, Languages and Intercultural Studies, Political Sciences, and Sociology.

1 Year
Sep

Tuition fees

Domestic
10,528 GBP
International
21,192 GBP

Scholarships

The Hoogenboom Scholarship

The Hoogenboom Scholarship
Master Open

Value

100% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

26 Apr 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
Master Bachelors Open

Value

$21800

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

The Island Scholarship Programme - Orkney Campus (UK) (International)

The Island Scholarship Programme - Orkney Campus (UK) (International)
Master Open

Value

100% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Mar 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Postgraduate European Union Scholarship

Postgraduate European Union Scholarship
Master Open

Value

$5000

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Norway Early Bird Scholarship

Norway Early Bird Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$6000

Deadline

1 May 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

International Merit Scholarship

International Merit Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$2000

Deadline

30 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$525

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships
Master Bachelors Open

Value

25% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt Actuarial Scholarship For Academic Excellence

Heriot-Watt Actuarial Scholarship For Academic Excellence
Master Open

Value

20% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

30 May 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Americas and Europe (Non-EU) Scholarship

Americas and Europe (Non-EU) Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$5000

Deadline

15 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Alumni Discount Scheme

Alumni Discount Scheme
Master Open

Value

20% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

More programmes from the university

Postgrad Programmes 730