​Programme overview

This course integrates a core of social research with marketing and market research. Modules are shared with the nationally recognised and long established MSc Social Research. This provides students with an opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the research processes.

This programme extends that knowledge to the specific area of marketing research. It allows students to specialise and provides important industry-relevant skills.

In recent years the public sector has moved its research focus increasingly towards market and marketing applications. The private sector meanwhile, has developed its expertise in researching services, and more recently not-for-profit markets, as well as becoming increasingly aware of the importance of its societal marketing role. This award has been developed in response to these changes, which blur the traditional distinctions between social and marketing research.

The award is intended for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of social research theory and practice, and to apply this knowledge to specific market, marketing research and societal marketing contexts. It can be studied either before taking up employment, whilst in employment as part of a career development programme, or as a forerunner to doctoral research. The degree provides students with a relevant, advanced and sophisticated understanding of market(ing) and social research processes.

The Social and Market Research programme at Plymouth benefits from a strong academic team with national renown in a variety of areas. You can view the range of experience and expertise that our staff bring to this programme by visiting our Sociology and Social Policy staff page which includes contact information and research interests.

For more information about the Social and Market Research programme please visit the Programme structure page.