The University of Sheffield
Department of Geography
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MSc Social and Spatial Analysis.

GEOT40 September 2013 entry

Please note that this course will only be available to study full-time for the 2013/14 session.

The MSc in Social and Spatial Analysis is based around, and inspired by, the work of the department's internationally-recognised Social and Spatial Inequalities research group. The group conduct interdisciplinary research which contributes to an evidence base for policy development aimed at reducing social and spatial inequalities. This unique course enables students to study and develop skills from both social and spatial perspectives.

The MSc in Social and Spatial Analysis is built around the group's strength in quantitative analysis of social phenomena and the mapping and visualisation of social data. The course offers a variety of modules each of which tackles a different theme or issues within social and spatial inequality, including: Poverty and Deprivation, Global difference, Health Inequalities, Happiness and Wellbeing, Mapping and Visualising Inequalities and Social Area Classification. The programme explores social phenomena with a specific focus on geography, and the importance of geographic space in recognising and understanding social patterns and social change. The course has an emphasis on giving students an awareness of the many social and economic issues relating to inequality. These issues are fundamental for anyone wishing to pursue a career in social research or social policy.

People across the globe are on average better off than ever before across every absolute measure of social and economic development, but the benefits of these developments are far from equally spread. British society is far from unique in terms of letting down sections of society while others continue to prosper; rising income and educational standards disproportionately benefit those who are already well off; unemployment rates are much greater for those who were brought up in disadvantage; a significant minority of people continue to suffer from a lack of material resources and the inequality in the health of the population widens. Through the study of social and spatial inequalities we seek to interpret and understand the results of these accidents of birth in which fortune, may it be good or bad, has deemed which people will gain advantage, or suffer hardship, based on where they grow up.

During the course we aim to enable students to not only understand these issues, but to provide them with the skills to be able to investigate and interpret the data on which these judgements are made and explain their findings to a variety of different audiences.

Who is the course aimed at?

The course is aimed at those who are enthusiastic and want to learn. Naturally sitting within a geography department, a large number of our students have come from a geographic background in terms of their undergraduate study. However, we have had students complete the course who come from a wider variety of undergraduate backgrounds (Economic, Politics, Sociology, History, English, Law and International Studies) to list just a few. We do not assume specific knowledge at the beginning of the course and we welcome applications from enthusiastic students of all backgrounds. The Department of Geography is very international and both its staff and students originate from across the globe likewise we encourage applications from people of all nationalities.

Course Structure

The MSc Social and Spatial Analysis programme comprises 180 credits that is comprised of eight, 15-credit modules, four are core modules which teach specific skills and techniques. The other core modules build employment-related skills and research training enabling students to conduct a 60-credit dissertation independently in a field of their own choosing. The other four (optional modules) are themed modules aimed at gaining new knowledge and increased understanding in the subject area. The structure of the course is outlined below.

  Autumn Semester
Sept-Jan		 Spring Semester
Feb-June		 Summer
June-Sept

Core Modules  (120 credits)

Research skills and methods modules aimed at building skills for learning and employment

GEO6016: Data, Visualisation and GIS (15)

GEO6024: Introduction to Quantitative Analysis (15)

GEO6022: Research Design for Social and Spatial Analysis (15)

GEO6024: Advanced Techniques for Social and Spatial Analysis (15)

GEO6021: Research Dissertation in Social and Spatial Analysis (60)

Optional Modules* (60 credits)

Themed modules aimed at increasing knowledge and understanding.

Some of these are provided specifically for this course and are more typically chosen (these are in italics) others are options from across the faculty.

* not all optional modules will run every year

GEO6015: Poverty, Place and Inequality (15)

GEO6019: Global Inequality (15)

SCS6001: The Research Process (15)

SCS6002: Qualitative Methods (15)

Or other modules from across the Department of Geography or Faculty of Social Science

Online module directory

GEO6018: Health Inequality (15)

GEO6017: Urban and Regional Analysis (15)

HAR6016: The Sociology of Health and Illness (15)

SCS651: Global Social Policy and Governance (15)

SCS652: The Political Economy of Global Social Policy (15)

SCS653: Global Social Problems (15)

Employability and Careers

The MSc Social and Spatial Analysis is designed to provide students with the analytical, research and communication skills that are in demand in the modern workplace. Graduates from the programme have been extremely successful in obtaining their desired form of work or further study after completing the programme. A selection of employment destinations of recent graduates can be seen below:

What our students say

"I chose the course because it offered a good balance of theoretical debates alongside an opportunity to learn more practical skills in methods and mapping. I can now design and build a map in a matter of minutes, something I wouldn't even have attempted before this course.
 I'm now doing a PhD at the University of Sheffield, and I know for a fact that it was the skills and confidence gained on this course that helped me secure funding. One on my favourite parts of the course was feeling part of a research group. We all got on very well, and had access to friendly and helpful academics throughout the year."

Luke Temple, MSc graduate

"I chose to do the Social and Spatial Inequalities Masters because I loved what I was doing at undergraduate level and didn't want to stop! The Masters gave me the perfect opportunity to focus my interests and further my knowledge on measuring and understanding different aspects of social and spatial inequalities.
 I thoroughly enjoyed the course as a whole; I met a lot of interesting people and got to learn about things that really interest me. I particularly enjoyed the Urban Inequalities module which covered a wide range of topics and encouraged a lot of discussion and debating. The GIS module is also really interesting and from it I have gained a lot of useful skills in map making, data handling and data visualisation. The Masters has not only broadened my knowledge and skills in specific areas, such as learning to use specific GIS software and statistics packages, but also furthered my critical thinking and improved my confidence in giving academic presentations and discussing complicated issues."

Phillippa Newbould, MSc graduate

"I chose the social and spatial inequalities course due to the uniqueness of the material it teaches. What fascinates me most about geography is how certain phenomena vary by place, and how living in one area can significantly alter your life chances than living elsewhere. The course allowed me to gain a greater understanding of how these processes exist, as well as the tools to allow me to investigate my own research ideas.
What I enjoyed the most about the course was the freedom given to conduct research on any topics that I was interested in. This not just improved my understanding of these topics, but also helped establish my ability to conduct original research which will be invaluable to future career. Furthermore teaching was conducted through seminars which provided informed debates which revolve around the topics that we were interested in. Both these types of learning were less restricted, and much more enjoyable than undergraduate learning.
The skills taught within the course relate to recent advances within the field. These skills have helped improve the overall quality of my work. The seminars also promote a critical understanding of theories which has taught me to question important paradigms and improve my overall understanding of topics. The course led me to gain a PhD scholarship at the University of Sheffield, allowing me to conduct further research into the themes that I enjoyed within the course. Without the Masters, this would have not been possible due to the range of skills and understanding gained from the content taught. Certainly the course has proved invaluable to both my current PhD and my future career."

Mark Green, MSc graduate

Applying

Our Applications page has full details of how to apply

OAC - SASA

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I apply?
Applications are open throughout the year but we only admit new students at the start of the academic year (generally in September). For admission in September, we must receive your application by the end of July (i.e. two months before the start of the academic year).

How do I apply?
Applications are made through the University’s online system. If you have any questions about admissions please contact the course convenor.

When can I expect to hear if I have been offered a place?
It generally takes no more than 2-3 weeks for us to review applications and we aim to provide an offer letter to you within 4-5 weeks of receiving your application. The majority of times applicants will here back much quicker than this. The best way to speed up your application is to make sure all information is complete, particularly the references which are the main reason for delays in processing applications.

When does the course run?
The course runs for a full academic year, usually starting in mid-September until the following September. Taught components are offered between September and May, with June to August set aside for your placement with dissertation. Timings for part-time students will vary.

How do I choose my modules?
You will receive a list of all available options during the first week of term and are able to meet with academic staff to discuss your interests and available options. Once you have decided on the courses that best suit your aims these are agreed with the academic staff.

How is the course delivered?
The modules are all delivered in slightly different ways depending upon their aims and structure. In general, core courses will consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars and both written and oral presentations. Research training are more orientated towards practical experience, relying less on lecture presentations and more on guided research practice. Throughout the course students are expected to prepare thoroughly for all sessions in order to gain fully from the participatory teaching and learning environment provided.

How much does the course cost?
The basic tuition fee for the course is set at the University rate.

Is there any funding available?
Alumni Bursaries: The Alumni Fund offer a number of scholarships to University of Sheffield graduates continuing their studies with a masters degree. Applicants who are eligible to apply for the Alumni Fund will be contacted with details of the application process in due course.

The university SSID webpages have more information on funding your postgraduate studies

Further information and keeping in touch

The course is run and staffed by members of the Social and Spatial Inequalities Research Group from the Department of Geography. The best place to get further information and to keep in touch with what is going on is via the SASI web site. You can also keep up to date with news via our Facebook page.

Dan VickersIf you have specific questions or would like to arrange to visit the department don’t hesitate to get in touch. The quickest way to do this is through the course convenor Dr Dan Vickers.

Please direct any application queries to Laura Pitts, Postgraduate Programmes Officer (email: l.pitts@shef.ac.uk; tel: 0114 222 7902).