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1 Year On Campus Masters Program
Durham UniversityAbsolutely, Prem — here’s a student-focused overview of Durham University’s MA in Social and Economic History (Research Methods), crafted to inspire confidence and clarity:
Program Overview
Durham’s MA in Social and Economic History (Research Methods) is a one-year, ESRC-accredited degree designed for students who want to explore the forces that shaped societies and economies across time — and gain the research skills to investigate them rigorously. It’s ideal for aspiring historians, social scientists, or future PhD candidates who want to combine historical insight with advanced methodological training.
Curriculum Structure
Semester 1: Foundations of Historical Research and Methodology
Pehle semester mein students ko historical research ke core concepts aur tools se introduce kiya jata hai. Themes and Sources in Social and Economic History module ke zariye aap archival sources, historiographical debates, aur social-economic transformations ko samajhna shuru karte hain. Saath hi, Perspectives on Social Research module aapko research design aur interdisciplinary thinking ke skills deta hai, jise aap qualitative aur quantitative approaches mein apply karte hain.
Semester 2: Applied Methods and Specialisation
Dusre semester mein aap apne research interests ke hisaab se modules choose karte hain — jaise Quantitative Research Methods (SPSS ke saath data analysis) ya Qualitative Research Methods (NVivo ke zariye coding and interpretation). Yeh semester aapke dissertation ke groundwork ke liye bhi crucial hota hai, jahan aap apne Major Research Project ka topic finalize karte hain aur supervisor ke guidance mein research plan tayar karte hain.
Summer Term: Independent Research and Dissertation
Summer term mein aap apne 15,000-word dissertation par kaam karte hain — ek original research project jo aapke academic interests aur career goals se aligned hota hai. Yeh phase aapko independent inquiry, critical analysis, aur academic writing mein mastery dilata hai, jo PhD ya professional research roles ke liye essential hai.
Focus Areas
Social and economic history, historical research methods, quantitative and qualitative analysis, interdisciplinary inquiry.
Learning Outcomes
Students graduate with advanced research skills, critical understanding of historical processes, and the ability to design and execute independent research projects using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This program is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and forms part of the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP), offering a pathway to funded PhD study.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Durham University ranks 78th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and is consistently placed among the UK’s top 10 for graduate employability. The History Department is internationally respected for its research excellence and interdisciplinary teaching.
Students in Durham’s MA in Social and Economic History (Research Methods) gain practical expertise through immersive research training, access to world-class archives, and hands-on methodological workshops. The program is designed to prepare students for independent research and doctoral study, with a strong emphasis on using real historical data, advanced analytical tools, and collaborative learning environments.
You’ll be working with original sources, learning to interpret complex datasets, and developing your own research project with close academic support. The university’s facilities and resources are deeply integrated into the learning experience, giving you the tools to explore history in action:
Graduates from this ESRC-accredited program are exceptionally well-prepared for careers in research, policy, heritage, and data analysis. Many go on to work in roles such as historical researcher, policy analyst, museum curator, or social data specialist — combining deep historical insight with advanced methodological skills.
Durham supports your career ambitions with tailored services and strategic partnerships:
Further Academic Progression:
This program is a direct pathway to PhD study, especially through the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP). Many graduates continue into doctoral research at Durham or other top institutions, supported by ESRC funding and advanced methodological preparation.
A 2:1 (or international equivalent) undergraduate degree, with an overall average of 65% or above, in a History related discipline from a recognised institution.Applicants with an overall average of 60-64% (or international equivalent) may be accepted, subject to the submission of a writing sample of up to 5,000 wordsIELTS 7.0 with no component under 7.0TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home edition 90 with no component under 20USA: A Bachelors degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 3.3 or better out of 4.0.Indian: A 3, 4 or 5-year Bachelors degree from an approved Indian university with a score of 60%-70% depending on the institution.BusinessmanCommunications officerComputer services AssociateTeacherForeign service AssociateGovernment StaffJournalistLawyerLibrarianMuseum curatorshipPolitician
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