This innovative course prepares you for doctoral studies and a career in Educational Research through a series of taught modules and a dissertation. Under the expert guidance of a team of leading academics you will learn the skills of research, from conception, through to design, methodology and data collection, to analysis, interpretation and dissemination. As part of the course you will engage closely with cutting edge research projects currently being undertaken by the School of Education.
Accreditation
The course has been recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council as meeting its requirements for postgraduate research training, and it now forms part of the recognised pathway in educational research for the Scottish Graduate School in the Social Sciences.
Course objectives
The MRes is designed to equip you for a career in educational research or as preparation for doctoral study (as a 1 + 3 route to PhD). You will develop a range of research skills, and will engage closely with current research projects in Education.
The course will offer you:
- A structured taught course in educational research.
- Excellent preparation for doctoral studies by research.
- First-hand experience of current research projects in the School of Education.
- The award of a Master’s degree.
- A course recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
The School of Education is committed to developing capable educational researchers as well as enabling you to improve your career prospects. We aim to:
- Recruit people with a good degree in social sciences.
- Enable you to undertake collaborative tasks and assignments.
- Enable you to successfully undertake a viable research project, relevant to existing interests in Education, and to fulfil your aims and aspirations for your future doctoral studies or work.
Employability is important focus of this course, with the opportunity for a research placement offered to all MRes students.
Entrance requirements
You will normally have a good degree from a Higher Education institution in the UK, or a degree of equivalent standard from an institution outside the UK. Exceptionally, a candidate with learning gained through relevant professional experience may be considered for admission. Candidates are expected to have good numeracy skills and a willingness to engage effectively with statistical analysis.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 23, Reading 23, Speaking 23, Writing 23.
Funding
For information on possible sources of funding, visit:
www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance
Modes of study
Full-time:
MRes: one year
Diploma: two semesters
Certificate: one semester
Part-time:
MRes: five semesters
Diploma: four semesters
Certificate: three semesters
Course start date
September
Structure and content
The course is designed to meet the Economic and Social Research Council’s requirements for broad knowledge, practical skills and both generic and specific competencies in educational research.
It comprises taught modules and a dissertation. The taught modules are delivered by a number of subject areas, including Education. They include a short research placement in an educational setting. Further details of the modules and their content are available on our website:
www.ioe.stir.ac.uk
Dissertation
Students will be required to conduct a small piece of educational research and write this up as a 15,000-word dissertation to be completed during May to September (May to December for part-time students).
Career opportunities
The MRes is designed to enhance the career prospects of researchers in education, training and related areas of work, and professionals requiring the capacity to understand and commission research in these fields. It is essential preparation for doctoral research in education and is recognised by Economic and Social Research Council as meeting its criteria for postgraduate research training that helps students improve their employability while acquiring core research skills. Employability is an important focus of this course, with the opportunity for a research placement offered to all MRes students.
