Socio-Cultural Studies of Sport and Exercise MRes

What makes Socio-Cultural Studies of Sport and Exercise at Worcester special?

Gain a deeper understanding of your chosen research area with a challenging combination of taught modules, research training and supervised research.

At Worcester you'll benefit from a professional and challenging relationship with your supervisor - who will be an academic working at the forefront of their discipline. As well as access to the full range of University facilities.

Overview

Key features

The Programme aims to prepare students:

for doctoral level study
to engage in a career in socio-cultural research in a HE or industrial context
to meet the global need for highly trained individuals who can make informed decisions on future research directions
to think independently and develop a critical approach to the analysis of data and interpretation of published research.

What qualifications will you need?

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a First or Second Class Honours Degree or equivalent award in an appropriate discipline or have appropriate research or professional experience which has resulted in appropriate evidence of achievement. For example experience in a research environment such as private research and development or public research laboratories.

Other information

International applicants will also be required to demonstrate that they have the appropriate level of written and spoken English (normally IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6 in written English). Entry qualifications for international students are guided by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre's (NARIC) advice on international qualifications.

What will you study?

The Programme consists of: 60 credits at Level 7; 120 credit thesis at Level 7.

Students who complete just the taught modules will be eligible for a PGCert award.

Modules	Developing and Managing your Research (15 credits) Research Methods (15 credits) Research Thesis Preparation (30 credits) MRes Thesis (120 credits)

A student will not be permitted to progress to the thesis module stage of their programme until they have passed all of the taught modules.

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and by feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

How will you be taught?

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of formal lectures, seminars and individual tutorials with your supervisory team.

Contact time

In a typical week you will have around 3 - 6 contact hours of teaching. The precise contact hours will depend on the order in which you complete the taught modules. During the final module (Thesis), you will normally have slightly less contact with your supervisory team as you would be expecting to carry out your own research, but it is dependent on your research area.

In total, completion of the course is expected to require 1800 hours of total learning time, including both direct contact time and independent study.

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time offered in modules and by your supervisory team, you are expected to undertake independent study, with a specific focus on your own research area. It is expected that you will:

be research active; agree research activity with their Director of Studies (DoS)
study flexibly and efficiently. This pattern of study may be varied with the prior agreement of the DoS
submit work to their DoS for evaluative comment as the research proceeds
respond to any suggestions regarding the development of work submitted
maintain regular contact with all supervisors who will ensure that the fullest advice on the research project is maintained

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the Research School, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

Duration

1 year full-time
Typically 2 years part-time

Timetables

RTP405 consists of 8 taught 2.5 hour sessions, and MSPO4067 is delivered via weekly evening classes over a 12-week period in semester 1. All other modules are flexible in order to allow students to engage with their own research.

Teaching staff

Teaching is informed by current research and all lecturers included in the delivery of MRes modules have a higher level research qualification and are active researchers. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

The team includes:

Dr Clare Rhoden
c.rhoden@worc.ac.uk
Emotions, emotional regulation, self-efficacy, ageing stereotypes, physical activity and ageing, sport psychology

Dr Paul Blakey
p.blakey@worc.ac.uk
Sports Event Impacts, Small and Medium-sized Sport Enterprises, Sport Sponsorship, Social Sport Marketing

Dr Gyozo Molnar
g.molnar@worc.ac.uk
Globalisation, labour migration, the Olympic movement, sociology of the body, post-colonial societies and gender issues

Assessment

Each module has one or more formal or 'summative' assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

Assessment methods include research proposals, research presentation, methodological critique and writing of an MRes thesis.

Over the duration of your studies you will be required to complete:

1 x research proposal (2000 words)
1 x data handling assignment (2000 words)
1 x written assignment (3-5000 words)
1 x ethics form (1500 words)
1 x 30 minute presentation
1 x literature review (2000 words)
1 x researcher development plan
1 x research thesis (including interim review)(maximum of 30000 words).

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Where could it take you?

Generally, MRes graduates will pursue a career either in academia or in industry. The knowledge, training and skills students receive will provide a springboard for vocational careers in the sport and exercise industry and education as well as by going on to PhD study in academia. Emphasis on high level academic attainment and the development of transferable skills will generate job opportunities in aspects of social sciences and other areas of employment.

As well as being a qualification in its own right, an MRes qualification in Socio-Cultural Studies of Sport and Exercise is an important pathway into doctoral study in the Social Sciences. Students with this qualification will be better placed to progress to successful doctoral study at the University of Worcester or elsewhere.

How much will it cost?

Fees	The current fees can be found within the tuition fees document on our figure out finances page.
Postgraduate loans	The Government will provide a loan of up to £10,609 per student for postgraduate Masters study. It will be at your own discretion whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs. For full details visit our postgraduate loans page.

Fees

The current fees can be found within the tuition fees document on our figure out finances page.

Postgraduate loans

The Government will provide a loan of up to £10,609 per student for postgraduate Masters study. It will be at your own discretion whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs.

For full details visit our postgraduate loans page.

How do you apply?

Before you submit a full application, please contact Dr Gyozo Molnar (g.molnar@worc.ac.uk) to discuss your research project and the availability of appropriate supervision.

Please make your application via our online application form. If you have any questions, please contact the Research School on 01905 542182 or research@worc.ac.uk

October start

Apply full-time Apply part-time

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Research School

research@worc.ac.uk

01905 542182

Dr Gyozo Molnar

Programme leader

g.molnar@worc.ac.uk

01905 855024