MSc Social Statistics and Social Research

The University of Stirling is an international university committed to helping students Be the D ifference in the world. Based in the heart of Scotland, Stirling is a place where ability – not background – is valued, and teaching, employability and facilities are all rated five-star (QS Stars University Ratings 202 4 ).  

That’s just part of the reason Stirling has been shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2024 and rated number one in the UK for campus environment (The International Student Barometer 2022).  

With more than 170 undergraduate course combinations , including a portfolio of online courses , we equip our graduates with the knowledge, expertise and employability skills needed to succeed in the workplace.   

Sporting excellence   

The University of Stirling is ranked #1 in the UK and top five in the world for sports facilities ( ISB 2022) – which is why we 've been named Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence .   

Our students benefit from a cutting-edge sports centre that includes sports halls, tennis courts, a gym , cycling studio, squash courts, athletics track, strength and conditioning suites, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and more.  

Our campus is also home to the SportScotland   Institute of Sport, Triathlon Scotland, Scottish Swimming and Tennis Scotland.  

We offer more than 55 sports clubs , dozens of weekly exercise classes and non-competitive sports programmes to our students – giving them the chance to get fit, socialise or even compete at a global level.  

Campus life   

The University of Stirling is rated #1 in the UK and top 3  in the world for campus environment ( ISB 20 22 ), and it’s not hard to see why .   

Under an hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, our beautiful 330-acre campus is home to an accommodation village , catering outlets, shops, a cinema and theatre and even an 18th-century castle. We’ve invested over £43 million to enhance our world-class fitness sports facilities and create a new campus hub.   

Commitment to employability   

At Stirling, our students gain more than a degree. From internships to helping you find a job, our Student Skills and Employability team gives you the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability or think about further study.

That’s why 93% of students say they’re satisfied with our career services support (ISB 2022), and 96% of our graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020-21, HESA)  

A global outlook   

The University of Stirling is truly global in every sense of the word. More than 1 4 0 nationalities are represented on our diverse and inclusive campus , and almost a third of our students are from overseas .    

We collaborate with institutions across the world – with teaching in research partnerships in more than 60 countries to help our students become forward-thinking graduates with skills that are sought after by employers across the globe.  

Research with impact   

Our world-leading academics are experts in their fields, and our teaching explores this cutting-edge research to make an impact on society. That’s why 80% of Stirling’s research was classed as either world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).   

Our aim is simple: from feeding the world to using psychology to catch criminals, we want to tackle the global issues of our time. Our multi-disciplinary researchers challenge assumptions, innovate thinking and find solutions.  

The City of Stirling  

Stirling is the 'Gateway to the Highlands', and it’s the perfect place to call home .   

Stirling has been named the safest student city in Scotland (Complete University Guide 2023 ) and is also one of the top 3 happiest places to live in Scotland (Rightmove Happy at Home Index 2022).

We’ve got great travel links, and we’re just 50 minutes from Scotland’s two biggest cities – which is perfect for weekend adventures exploring Scotland, the UK or even further afield.  

Learn more about the City of Stirling and its vibrant arts scene , food and drink offerings , amazing countryside , shopping , nightlife and more.  

Are you ready to Be Stirling?   

Find your course , learn more about funding opportunities , scholarships and why the University of Stirling, Scotland is where you belong .   

The University of Stirling is an international university committed to helping students Be the D ifference in the world. Based in the heart of Scotland, Stirling is a place where ability – not background – is valued, and teaching, employability and facilities are all rated five-star (QS Stars University Ratings 202 4 ).  

That’s just part of the reason Stirling has been shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2024 , rated top 20 in the UK for postgraduate teaching (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2022) and number one in the UK for campus environment (The International Student Barometer 2022).  

With over 90 postgraduate courses , including a portfolio of online courses , we equip our graduates with the knowledge, expertise and employability skills needed to succeed in the workplace.   

Sporting excellence   

The University of Stirling is ranked #1 in the UK and top five in the world for sports facilities ( ISB 2022) – which is why we 've been named Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence .   

Our students benefit from a cutting-edge sports centre that includes sports halls, tennis courts, a gym , cycling studio, squash courts, athletics track, strength and conditioning suites, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and more.  

Our campus is also home to the SportScotland   Institute of Sport, Triathlon Scotland, Scottish Swimming and Tennis Scotland.  

We offer more than 55 sports clubs , dozens of weekly exercise classes and non-competitive sports programmes to our students – giving them the chance to get fit, socialise or even compete at a global level.  

Campus life   

The University of Stirling is rated #1 in the UK and top 3  in the world for campus environment ( ISB 20 22 ), and it’s not hard to see why .   

Under an hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, our beautiful 330-acre campus is home to an accommodation village , catering outlets, shops, a cinema and theatre and even an 18th-century castle. We’ve invested over £43 million to enhance our world-class fitness sports facilities and create a new campus hub.   

Commitment to employability   

At Stirling, our students gain more than a degree. From internships to helping you find a job, our Student Skills and Employability team gives you the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability or think about further study.

That’s why 93% of students say they’re satisfied with our career services support (ISB 2022), and 96% of our graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020-21, HESA)  

A global outlook   

The University of Stirling is truly global in every sense of the word. More than 1 4 0 nationalities are represented on our diverse and inclusive campus , and almost a third of our students are from overseas .    

We collaborate with institutions across the world – with teaching in research partnerships in more than 60 countries to help our students become forward-thinking graduates with skills that are sought after by employers across the globe.  

Research with impact   

Our world-leading academics are experts in their fields, and our teaching explores this cutting-edge research to make an impact on society. That’s why 80% of Stirling’s research was classed as either world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).   

Our aim is simple: from feeding the world to using psychology to catch criminals, we want to tackle the global issues of our time. Our multi-disciplinary researchers challenge assumptions, innovate thinking and find solutions.  

The City of Stirling  

Stirling is the 'Gateway to the Highlands', and it’s the perfect place to call home .   

Stirling has been named the safest student city in Scotland (Complete University Guide 2023 ) and is also one of the top 3 happiest places to live in Scotland (Rightmove Happy at Home Index 2022).

We’ve got great travel links, and we’re just 50 minutes from Scotland’s two biggest cities – which is perfect for weekend adventures exploring Scotland, the UK or even further afield.  

Learn more about the City of Stirling and its vibrant arts scene , food and drink offerings , amazing countryside , shopping , nightlife and more.  

Are you ready to Be Stirling?   

Find your course , learn more about funding opportunities , scholarships and why the University of Stirling, Scotland is where you belong .