Course Structure & Content

The Masters programme consists of a number of integrated modules which run over 2-4 semesters (depending on full or part-time registration). Students also complete a work placement over a period of eight weeks. Arrangements can be made for part-time students to complete the work placement over a shorter period. Alternatively, students who are in full or part-time employment can complete the work placement in their current place of employment by taking on some research-related tasks. Students are required to complete a research dissertation which they submit following the completion of all course assignments.

The programme consists of the following modules:

1. Qualitative Research Methods and Research Ethics
2. Quantitative Research Methods
3. Research Design, Evaluation Research and Literature Searches and Reviews
4. Work Placement
5. Research Dissertation

Click here to access the handbook for 2024-2025

Attendance in College

	Full-time Students	Part-time Students
Taught Modules	Year 1: Quantitative Research Methods 1&2: Survey Design; Applied Social Statistics. Qualitative Research Methods. Research Design, Evaluation Research and Literature Searches and Reviews	Year 1: Quantitative Research Methods 1: Survey Design. Qualitative Research Methods. Research Design, Evaluation Research and Literature Searches and Reviews Year 2: Quantitative Research Methods 2: Applied Social Statistics.
Guest Lectures	Year 1	Year 2
Work Placement	Year 1 (Mid-April to Mid-June)	Year 2 (Mid-April to Mid-June)
Dissertation	Year 1 (mid-June to End August)	Year 2 (mid-June to End August)

Guest Lectures

Throughout the academic year, there will be a number of Guest Lectures. These guest lectures are included on the timetable to ensure that students:

are aware of a range of research projects currently ongoing in Ireland;
learn about the diverse range of research designs, approaches and methodologies currently in use;
gain exposure to the working intricacies (including methodological challenges) associated with the conduct of social science research;
become acquainted with the wider research community.

Guest lectures are delivered by subject specialists from the public and private sectors who have effectively conducted applied research in one or a number of areas. These lectures vary from year to year and may include the following types of topics: crisis pregnancy, health related topics, ageing, ethnic minorities, poverty/socio-economic disadvantage, equality policies and legislation, population health, sexuality/sexual health, mental health, educational disadvantage, and research involving children and young people.

Click here to download the Semester 2 Guest Lecture Schedule.