Postgraduate masters programmes

We offer postgraduate taught masters programmes in Sociology, Criminology, Social Work and Social Research Methods.

Our MSc in Sociology is a new programme offered from October 2021.The programme enables students to gain an advanced and critical understanding of how to apply sociological theories and perspectives to contemporary issues and social transformations.  Teaching is grounded in the active research specialisms of academic staff and strongly reflects our departmental research themes.

Our MSc Criminal Justice has been offered at Durham since 2007 and is designed to give students an in-depth understanding of crime, deviance and criminal justice from critical, theoretical, policy, legal political and practical perspectives.

Our Master of Social Work degree is a 21 month-long programme which trains students to become qualified social workers.

This programme, normally supported by bursaried places for eligible students, combines professional practice placements with academic training and a work-based research project.

We have a limited number of NHSBSA Social Work Bursaries available to eligible students confirming a place on Master of Social Work (MSW). 

Finally, we offer an MA Social Research Methods.  This programme combines a grounding in research methods (quantitative and qualitative) with a subject specialism in Sociology, Social Policy, Criminology or Social Work.  This programme is suitable as a standalone qualification but may also be taken as part of a funded ‘1+3’ route through the NINEDTP [link] for which Durham delivers training routes in Social Policy and Social Work.