Course Content
You will study the following modules*:
- Analysing Research Data (20 credits)
- Being and Doing in Academia (20 credits)
- Designing Social Inquiry (20 credits)
- Evidence Based Practice (20 credits)
- Practitioner Research (20 credits)
- Developing Skills for a Career in Research (20 credits)
- Independent Research Project (60 credits) – During the MRes you will identify and undertake a substantial independent research project. You will do this with support of your academic supervisor and mentor, who will work with you to develop your project, as well as yourself as a researcher.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MRes in Social Policy or MRes in Education.
Learning & Teaching
The MRes framework offers a high-quality learning experience that provides the students with the opportunity to work with research active members of staff in the design and development of projects that provide critical insights within their subject specialism.
This is a taught research programme and it prepares students for a career in research operating as independent researchers. The taught element of the framework is research-informed and contextualised to provide the foundations of subsequent research activity within the subject specialisms.
The distinctive feature of the programme is the 20-credit module requiring MRes students to present at the CSESP’s annual Pg-R Student Conference. Other distinctive features include: i) the dissertation elements, which are largely self-directed with the support of a supervising team, and ii) the final dissertation submission requirements in the form of a draft journal article in readiness for potential review and publication, or a policy report for attention of policy makers. The real-life nature of this is an attractive feature.
The programme is designed to be an enriching and rigorous student-centred learning experience, orientated around personalised tutorial support and guidance.
The course is collaborative, intellectually generous and supportive and designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage in thoughtful and sustained reflection, scholarship and focus as well as an opportunity for speculative exploration and inquisitive enquiry.
Throughout the MRes Education or MRes Social Policy a variety of teaching and learning methods will be used. These methods include lectures, seminars, small group work, workshops, online learning, tutorials, and self-directed learning as well as conducting independent research under the supervision of experienced members of staff.
Standard lectures are used to enable core knowledge and understanding content to be delivered to the whole module cohort. This is supplemented with Seminars and Workshops to allow exploration of all aspects of module content (knowledge, understanding, skills and other attributes) in an interactive and discursive group setting. A significant amount of work will be required by the students through independent learning and self-study. Such study enables students to independently develop their understanding of the module concepts and to complete formative and summative exercises.
The programme features extensive one-to-one supervision to discuss and contextualise the taught elements, as well as develop the students independent research project. The programme is also supported via the Moodle VLE, which provides access to key materials, handouts and research papers.
The MRes Programme Director will provide strategic leadership and direction during the course. They will be available to each student who has specific issues regarding course content and structure. Each student will also be allocated a Supervisor at the outset of the programme. Students are expected to liaise with their Supervisor during the taught component, and to keep them abreast of progress via regular ‘milestone review meetings’.
Taught sessions will take place at both the Llandaff and Cyncoed campuses. The majority of teaching will be at Llandaff.
Assessment
A range of assessment types has been incorporated across the MRes programme; this allows for different skillsets to be accommodated.
The Assessment strategy has been designed to provide students with a variety of challenges appropriate to post-graduate level.
The assessment strategy provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that are required to be awarded the relevant degree, as well as the skills needed to continue to doctoral research or enter employment as a highly skilled researcher.
Assessment methods are designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of theoretical, applied and professional practice issues and include coursework essays, research reports, presentations and critique.
The MRes Education or MRes Social Policy includes assessments that are geared towards preparing the students for a future in advanced research. For example, students will be required to present at CSESP’s annual PGR conference. This provides students with experience of presenting research in a ‘live’ but safe environment.
The final research project also takes an authentic approach. Students are invited to either submit a draft manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal or produce a report for the attention of policy makers. The real-life nature of this outward facing form of assessment is a unique selling point and equips students with skills needed for doctoral research or employment as a highly skilled researcher.
All tutors on the programme are active researchers.
Employability & Careers
The MRes combines a strong theoretical focus with a core of technical competencies, providing students with the opportunity to develop as effective, reflective professionals. On completion, students should be able conduct competent research, as well as the transferable project management skills commensurate with independent research and in managing large research projects.
It is intended that the programme will make both a significant contribution to individual professional development and a general contribution to innovation and creativity in a range of professional fields.
Successful completion of the MRes Education or MRes Social Policy signals to employers advanced scholarship.
MRes Education
The MRes Education is designed for those developing careers in applied education research and is well suited for those working, or interested to work, in:
- Local, national or international education policy
- Educational research in a range of educational contexts
- Leadership and managerial roles within an education institutions
- As well as those wishing to continue to a PhD in social policy
Successful participants could be eligible to apply for an MPhil/PhD programme at Cardiff Metropolitan University, or other institutions.
MRes Social Policy
The MRes Social Policy is designed for those developing careers in applied research and policy and is well suited for those working, or interested to work, in:
- Local, national or international policy
- Third sector within research, policy, influencing, project management, and campaigning roles
- Research, policy and project management within business organisations, universities, and research institutes
- As well as those wishing to continue to a PhD in social policy
The MRes Social Policy will provide training and competitive edge within the policy, charitable organisations and private consultancy sectors. It will also provide a route to further post-graduate training, e.g., doctoral study.
Successful participants could be eligible to apply for an MPhil/PhD programme at Cardiff Metropolitan University, or other institutions.
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
You will normally be expected to have at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.
You will also be considered if you have relevant work experience and deemed to have academic potential.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made direct to the University via our
self-service facility. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at
www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.
If you are interested in using credit from another institution, or have obtained qualifications and/or experience to study for a course at Cardiff Met, you can find further information on this as well as information on how to apply on the
RPL page.
International Applicants:
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an academic IELTS 6.0 standard with no sub-score lower than 5.5 or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the
International pages on the website.
Contact Us