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Social Science Research Methods PG Dip

London, Bloomsbury

UK students International students

Study mode

Full-time

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£5,600

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£13,100

Duration

10 months

Programme starts

September 2026

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This course is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Students on this course develop an understanding of research in the social sciences and develop skills and understanding which will give them the confidence to progress to doctoral study, or to apply research skills in their own professional contexts. Students learn how to develop and critically evaluate research questions; gain an understanding of social science research methodologies and links between these methodologies and research questions; select appropriate social science research methods to explore identified research questions; enhance their knowledge of different forms of research proposals and the complexities of funding applications; and assess their own suitability for further research degree studies.

Who this course is for

The course is suitable for those working in a wide range of professional contexts or with relevant work experience. Mature students are particularly welcome to apply for this course. It is aimed primarily at those in work who wish to develop social science research skills and/or develop the confidence to apply for doctoral study and is a full-time intensive course delivered in evening sessions.

For some students, the course provides an opportunity to develop research skills at the same time as allowing them to assess and reflect on their suitability for an interest in progressing to doctoral study.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This course offers a unique opportunity to gain social science research methods training in an accelerated two term course.

It facilitates progression to the MPhil/PhD at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society or other institutions. At IOE it offers exemptions for suitable candidates from both taught year one methods modules on the EdD. Successful students will be allowed to commence year two of the EdD on completion of just one taught year one module: Foundations of Professionalism (this will be simultaneous to starting year two).

It also allows students to develop the skills to apply social science research skills in their professional contexts.

Research experiences offer opportunities to become engaged with real world research projects. Guidance and exemplars are provided on how to write a research proposal (which forms one of the assessments). The knowledge and skills developed here will be useful for those who intend to apply for the EdD or any other Doctorate course.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Students will gain the skills to progress to postgraduate research, potentially leading to careers in academia or as researchers working in the public or private sectors.

Employability

Students from a wide range of professions have undertaken the course, including, but not limited to school teachers and leaders, professionals working in a range of roles in further and higher education, people working in the charity sector and those working in medicine and health.

The aims of the course are to familiarise students with social science research, to enhance the prospects of those wishing to go on to doctoral study and to allow others to further their careers by developing their capacity to apply research skills within their professional contexts.

Networking

There are networking opportunities within this course. We will have a session from academics in charge of the EdD to talk about how you can transfer from the PG Dip to an EdD. You will also have access to talks and seminars that are being held in a range of topics alongside dissemination events on a wide range of UCL research.

Teaching and learning

The course will be delivered through a series of online lectures, student led discussion groups, pre-recorded lectures and asynchronous online discussion groups. There will be an opportunity to take part in UCL research and to develop a research project.

The course is delivered through a combination of face-to-face seminars and synchronous (virtual real-time classroom) and asynchronous sessions. Students also learn about the practicalities of social science research through engagement in a research project. Discussion with peers and study informed by adult learning theory are particular forms of learning on this course.

Assessment is through the equivalent of a 5,000-word assignment for each module.

A mix of taught sessions and student-led sessions run weekly during Term 1 and Term 2 (September to March). During this period, students can expect 3 to 6 contact hours per week, made up of online discussions, seminars, and tutorials. In addition, there are approximately 30+ hours of self-directed study per week, covering preparation, background reading, independent learning and coursework.

Modules

You will undertake four compulsory modules. The course runs intensively with teaching from September through to March with assessments following until June. The course is delivered through a combination of face-to-face seminars and synchronous (virtual real-time classroom) and asynchronous sessions. Students also learn about the practicalities of social science research through engagement in an in house run research project. Discussion with peers and study informed by adult learning theory are particular forms of learning on this course. The course runs usually on consecutive Wednesday evenings though in March there will be some sessions run on Mondays.

There are two terms of teaching (September- March) followed by an independent practice-based research project and assignments in terms 2 and 3 (January- June). Taught sessions run weekly from September- March. The course is full-time, however sessions are scheduled in the evening (90 minute sessions) and many students complete the course whilst working.

Compulsory modules

Developing a Research Proposal

Developing Research Questions

Methods of Investigation

Designing a Research Study

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Social Science Research Methods.

Fieldwork

For module three, students undertake a small-scale research project which may involve fieldwork (some students elect to analyse policy documents or undertake systematic reviews).

Placement

Students take part in a mini piece of guided research for module two of the course. This research is under the supervision of academics within the department who will provide you with access to data they have collected and give you an overview of the aims of the project, alongside ethical considerations and other important theoretical and methodological considerations. Students will be expected to apply knowledge gained from Module 1 and Module 2 and apply it to the assignment. This research will also give an insight to students about the research process and help them to prepare for their own piece of research that is expected in Term 2 (module 3). The research experience t will allow students to gain an insight into what is involved in 'real-world' research.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Social Science Research Methods PGDip and Social research MRes

IOE's impactful research leads the world in education and related social science. It informs our doctoral courses, supporting the largest cohort of education students in the UK. Meet our academics, hear about the courses you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£5,600
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£13,100

Programme is 10 months duration.

Additional costs

It is unlikely that there will be costs for this aspect of the course as it is envisaged that students will undertake fieldwork in their place of work, or within the locale of UCL or their home.

Any participants who are intending to conduct empirical research in schools or other settings involving children and young people need to be aware that they may need to arrange to get DBS clearance before gaining access to such institutions. The DBS application cost will be covered by UCL but offer holders will also need to have their ID checked and verified at a Post Office, for which they will incur a charge of £15 (note, this was the fee for 2025 but may change). The offer holder is also required to arrange and pay for any overseas police check that may be necessary; costs vary by country. For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the Admissions team.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

: IOE Centenary Master’s Scholarships

Deadline: 4 May 2026 23:55 (BST)

Value: Full fees and accommodation (1 academic year)

Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need

Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE – Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 4 May 2026 23:55 (BST)

Value: Flights, full fees and a stipend (1 academic year)

Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need

Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

why you want to study Social Science Research Methods at graduate level
why you want to study Social Science Research Methods at UCL
what particularly attracts you to the chosen course
how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course
where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this course match what the course will deliver.

To apply for this course please select UCL Institute of Education in the 'select department' option of the application portal, then, in `programme type' select postgraduate taught. Leave all other fields including the keyword search blank - you can then select the PG Dip course from the list.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This course only requires one reference in support of your application. Your reference should be academic unless you have been out of university education for more than four years. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.