Sociology and Global Change MSc

This programme provides core teaching in the ideas and approaches of sociology as applied to understanding social order and social change globally and internationally. It explores the local impacts of global processes, and the global impacts of local processes.

During this intensive programme, you will explore these processes by developing your own research agenda, both in coursework and in a supervised dissertation project of your own choice.

The programme presents sociology as the study of a dynamic and globalising world, around such areas as:

* environment and sustainable development

* migration, refugees and displacement

* the sociology of globalisation

* gender, emotions, intimate and family life

* global financial markets, economic sociology and global capitalism

* social network analysis

* social movements and global inequalities

* human rights and citizenship

* digital and global popular cultures

Who this programme is for

This programme will appeal to those concerned about and wishing to understand some of the key social problems and dynamics of our day. It is most suited to those seeking a thorough grounding in approaches to social research on global issues.

Students on this MSc need to have a background in social science, preferably sociology. We occasionally accept students who have studied unrelated subjects in their first degree if they can make a compelling case as to why they want to study sociology, and they also propose a specific idea of an area of research that relates to Edinburgh Sociology staff expertise.

Study options

The MSc in Sociology and Global Change is offered as a one-year full-time programme.

Programme benefits

* Edinburgh is one of the leading international centres of excellence for postgraduate study in Sociology. You will join an academic community led by international experts working on global topics, in one of the UK’s best departments for research and teaching.

* Edinburgh Sociology is host to a vibrant intellectual and postgraduate student life. There are regular seminars with international scholars, and postgraduates present their work at an annual conference, 'New Directions in Sociology', in addition to our biannual 'Global Ethnographies' showcase of the work of students on the programme.