Social Research

Through a range of compulsory and elective modules, practical assignments and a research thesis, the M.Sc. provides students with:



KNOWLEDGE to understand how theory and data helps us to understand the major social issues of our time;

SKILLS to design and execute research projects, to analyse data, and communicate findings;

CAPACITY to develop and manage research relationships and partnerships.

It will teach you how to:



Manage a research project;

Use quantitative, qualitative and digital methods to design and conduct social research;

Analyse primary and secondary data collected using a range of techniques and data analysis programmes;

Formulate and present results and findings to a wide range of audiences.

The MSc in Social Research at MU Sociology provides hands-on training in research skills with real-world data, and instruction from staff with a passion for evidence-based research. You will work with real-world data, gaining familiarity with the toolkit of modern data-driven social research.



The M.Sc. programme consists of 4 compulsory modules (Working With and Sourcing Data, Principles of Social Science Research, Quantitative and Qualitative Methods and Digital Methods) and one elective module (Theorizing Transition/Political Economy, Digital Societies, Nature and Society, Families and Generations, Working Lives Transition, or Intimate Lives Transition).



Students also complete a major thesis or work-based research under the supervision of our expert staff from MU Sociology, where they put to practice the research design and management skills they learned. Students who are currently in employment, completing the programme part-time, can complete their project in the second year of study.



CAPSTONE AND CAREER SCAFFOLDING MODULE SO692 5 2 Compulsory

DIGITAL SOCIAL SCIENCE METHODS SO646 10 2 Compulsory

INTIMATE LIVES: RELATIONSHIPS, CITIZENSHIP & EMBODIMENT SO618 10 1 Not compulsory

NATURE AND SOCIETY SO629A 10 1 Not compulsory

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS SO695 20 2 Compulsory

RESEARCH REPORT SO691A 25 Year-Long Compulsory

SOCIAL SCIENCE ANALYSIS SO614 10 1 Compulsory

THEORISING TRANSITIONS SO694 10 1 Not compulsory

UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL SOCIETIES SO639 10 2 Not compulsory

WORKING LIVES TRANSITIONS SO645 10 2 Not compulsory

WORKING WITH AND SOURCING DATA SO693 10 1 Compulsory

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. The entry requirement is an honours degree of at least a 2:2 in Social Science or a cognate discipline or international equivalent is required.



For international students for whom English is not their first language, an English language exam certificate showing IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. Minimum English language requirements or both EU and non-EU students as in Maynooth University International Office website.



National University of Ireland Maynooth?s TOEFL code is 8850

Open for applications for 2024-25.

Closing Date 30th June 2024

1 year full-time or 2 years Part-time

This MSc equips you to work as a quali¿ed, independent social researcher within the private, public and social sectors. Graduates will have a fluency in a range of methods data formats, and research designs. These skills allow many graduates to find employment in a range of government, semi-state departments, or in the private sector. There are many areas with demand for research skills, these include: policy organisations and institutes, charities, community and voluntary organisations, human resource management, companies with internal research departments, think-tanks, IT companies, private consultancy, education, social protection, health, and social care. The MSc also provides strong foundations to pursue further postgraduate training at M.Litt or PhD level, and the sociology department currently hosts researchers active in the areas of climate change and climate justice, income inequality, family, gender and sexuality, migration, education, social welfare and social protection, social movements and social change, crime and justice.