This course will equip you with the critical knowledge and skills required for effective social science research, while providing you with the opportunity to engage, through advanced research, with business and management practice.

Core learning will be delivered through six taught (15 credit) modules covering advanced training in research methods and skills. These include, research philosophy, research design, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, Econometrics, and Management Consultancy and is delivered by our cross-disciplinary experts from Aston Business School and the School of Languages and Social Sciences.

Two taught (15 credit) – option modules will also be chosen by students and these will focus on any business/management specialism that students are interested in. Our research expertise is embedded in our academic departments and research centres, the details of which can be found by following the various links below. Indeed, we strongly advise all those thinking of applying to the MSc Research in the Social Sciences to explore these departmental and research centre web pages so that you can better position your own research interests to fit with the current interests of the school and our academics.

Aston Business School Academic Departments/Schools:

•    Accounting

•    Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship

•    Aston Law School

•    Marketing and Strategy              

•    Operations and Information Management

•    Work and Organisation

Aston Business School Research Centres:

•    Advanced Services Group

•    Aston Centre for Growth

•    Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME)

•    Enterprise Research Centre

•    Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Business Prosperity.

Finally, students will be required to complete a 15000 word Dissertation within the discipline of their choice – ie. the discipline identified in their two 15 credit option modules. Students will be allocated a dedicated supervisor to guide them through this research process until submission of the final thesis.

The knowledge and skills garnered from studying the MSc Research in the Social Sciences will equip you to pursue a range of careers, including managerial, analytical and research roles within private, public and non-governmental organizations. This course also provides an excellent route into further academic study, with students going on to complete doctoral research before pursuing an academic career.  Students have pursued a variety of careers including: 

• Further postgraduate research at PhD level
• International marketing or business.