Durham University
Social and Economic History (Research Methods) MA
Durham University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Social and Economic History (Research Methods) MA at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
79 /100
15 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26500 £27000 £33000
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £32500 £21000 - £32000 £23000 - £45500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £22450 £26876
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £16925 - £28392 £20314 - £34845

Course Description

The MA in Social and Economic History (Research Methods) fuels your interest in the past and develops the essential skills and knowledge you need to undertake in-depth research into the aspects of social and economic history that most interest you.

The course offers the highest quality training in social research methods and applies this knowledge to the study of the past. It is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council, the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural, and human data science activity. It is also part of our four-year funding scheme offered through the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership that culminates in a PhD in any aspect of the subject.

The course, which is completed in one year full-time or two years part-time, is shared between the Department of History and the Department of Sociology. Core areas of learning include an in-depth introduction to the study of research, themes, readings and sources from a historical perspective as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods. You can choose further optional modules from a selection of research and historical themed options in areas ranging from Computational Social Science to Elections in Africa, and from Multilevel Modelling to Power and Society in the Late Middle Ages. You also carry out independent research on a related area of your choice in the form of a dissertation.

You will have access to the extensive learning resource made available via various libraries, archives, and special historical collections housed in the University and in the city itself.

The postgraduate communities in both departments are vibrant and committed, and contribute in a major way to the academic environment with their active involvement in discussion groups, annual conferences and other events.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Social and Economic History (Research Methods) MA at Durham University

35% Sales occupations
15% Teaching Professionals
10% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Elementary occupations
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Welfare and housing associate professionals

Grading & Study Time

The course is delivered primarily through small group seminar teaching with some larger classes and lecture-style sessions. The social science modules also include workshops and practical classes.  Lectures and larger classes will provide key information on specific subjects, while seminars are an opportunity to get involved in discussions in more depth and workshops and practical sessions give you an opportunity to use software packages to record and analyse your own data. You can expect to carry out a significant level of independent study alongside your timetabled contact hours.  The nature of timetabled contact time varies from module to module. The majority of modules provide 20 contact hours, with skills modules normally generating more contact time. The dissertation includes a further seven hours of one-to-one contact time with a dedicated supervisor who has specific knowledge in your topic of choice. Assessment is rigorous and designed to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of specific topics. The methods of assessment vary, depending on the modules that you select for study. They include essays, reports, and research analysis exercises, as well as exams and presentations for some subjects. You will also complete a dissertation which is worth one-third of your mark.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

For further information see the course listing.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Social and Economic History (Research Methods), MA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Subject requirements are a 2:1, with an overall average score of 65% or above, or a GPA of 3.5 or above, or equivalent. An undergraduate degree in History or a related subject is required.

You are required to submit the following information with online application:

Two Academic References – from people who are familiar with your work, commenting on your suitability for the course;

An Academic CV– this should be no longer than 2 A4 pages and should contain information about your academic achievements to date and any related-work experience you have undertaken;

A sample of written work (up to 2,500 words for MA courses);

Academic Transcripts and Certificates, if available– a copy of your undergraduate degree and postgraduate courses (dependent upon which degree course you are applying for) transcript and/or certificate, if degree already attained;

A 750-word outline of your intended research, concentrating on the research problem you will address, the research context in which it is located, and the methods, critical approaches, and sources you will use. You can upload this as part of the online application form;

Personal Development Self-Assessment Table – Applicants are requested to complete and submit a self-assessment table with their online application.

Costs

Tuition Fees Social and Economic History (Research Methods) MA

England UK £10400 year 1
Northern Ireland £10400 year 1
Scotland £10400 year 1
Wales £10400 year 1
Channel Islands £10400 year 1
EU £24750 year 1
International £24750 year 1
Ireland £24750 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Durham University in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #3 
    • #4 
    History
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #4 
    • #5 
    History
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #7 
    • #38 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #16 
    • #41 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

See all 37 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
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Where is this programme taught

Durham University
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