The program constists of three broad areas:

A subject-specific component which is designated at Sussex, the Research Elective . For most subjects this will involve several components: supervised reading on the student's research project leading to the thesis, participation in a staff/student work in progress seminar and 'audit' of relevant courses from other MA programmes, where appropriate.

Philosophy of Science and Social Scientific Research Practice and Research Design: The courses are designed to meet the following outcomes:

• Understanding the significance of alternative epistemological positions that provide the context for theory construction, research design and the selection of appropriate analytical techniques
• Comprehension of basic principles of research design and strategy, including an understanding of how to formulate researchable problems and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research

Short Courses in Data Collection and Analysis: This is programme of intermediate and advanced courses across the range of broadly-based social scientific techniques identified by the ESRC Subject Panels The courses are designed specifically to give students competency in the relevant techniques and to allow for movement from intermediate to advanced levels within the Masters programme and by taking supplementary courses in later years of study.