INTEGRATED DEGREE OF PHD AND MSC (DATA ANALYTICS AND SOCIETY)

Programme of study for the Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Data Analytics
and Society)1 2023/24

Entry Requirements

Applicants will normally be required to have obtained a relevant degree at least equivalent to a UK upper
second class (2:1) honours degree. PGRs whose first language is not English will normally be required to have
achieved at least 7.0 on IELTS (with 7 in writing and no other component below 6), or TOEFL 100 overall, 25
writing, 22 other sections, or an equivalent English language qualification.

Year One (a total of 120 credits in taught modular courses2 will be taken as well as the research project)

• The candidate will commence research under the direction of their supervisor(s)

o Compulsory specialised subject modules (105 credits):

GEOG5000M Internship Project (University of Leeds) 15 credits

GEOG5995M Programming for Social Sciences: Core Skills (University of Leeds) 15 credits
JULV5000M Analysis of Human Dynamics (University of Liverpool) 15 credits
JUMN5000M Understanding Data and its Environment (University of Manchester) 15 credits
JUSH5000M Social Analytics & Visualisation (University of Sheffield) 15 credits
SLSP5501M Research Strategy and Design (University of Leeds) 30 credits

o One 15 credit subject Optional module3 from a prescribed list for Year 1

Candidates are required to pass at least 90 taught credits in order to progress on the programme.

Year Two (a total of 60 credits in taught modular courses4 will be taken as well as the research project)

• The candidate will continue research under the direction of their supervisor(s)

Compulsory specialised subject modules (30 credits):

Semester Two
GEOG5099M Dissertation (University of Leeds) 30 credits

• Optional subject modules (30 credits):

Candidates will take 2 x 15 credit subject Optional modules5 from a prescribed list for Year 2

Candidates who have been successful in the assessed modules and research components during Year 2 of
study, will undergo a transfer assessment process, to be successfully completed by no later than the end of
Year Two (Month 24) of study.

The decision to transfer will be based on the submission of appropriate material for assessment and all
Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) must undergo an oral examination by an assessment panel which must
include at least one independent individual who has not been involved in the supervisory support of the
candidate. The PGR will be interviewed by the assessment panel in the form of a viva voce examination.

Candidates will be required to pass a minimum of 150 taught credits (of the total 180 credits undertaken) and
successfully transfer to full PhD status in order to progress on the programme.

1 To be read in conjunction with the general Programme of Study for the Integrated degrees of PhD and Master (MA, LLM or MSc)
2
See web link to the Programme Catalogue for details when each module will run in each session.
3
Each module in this Year 1 prescribed list of Optional module is 15 credits. PGRs therefore choose just the one module.
4
See web link to the Programme Catalogue for details when each module will run in each session.
5
Each module in this Year 2 prescribed list of Optional module is 15 credits. PGRs therefore choose two modules.
INTEGRATED DEGREE OF PHD AND MSC (DATA ANALYTICS AND SOCIETY)

Years Three and Four

• The candidate will continue research under the direction of their supervisor(s)
INTEGRATED DEGREE OF PHD AND MSC (DATA ANALYTICS AND SOCIETY)

Learning Outcomes / Transferable Key Skills / Learning Context / Assessment – overall programme
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc

1. Learning Outcomes

• Identify, summarise and critically compare key theories, concepts and empirical research evidence
within the fields of data analytics and social science;

• Apply high-level programming and analytical tools and techniques to analyse data describing social and
cultural environments, and set appropriate objectives and strategies in complex situations;

• Develop transferable professional skills in working with others required for using social science data to
form and implement analysis strategies, such as thought leadership;

• Demonstrate advanced independent research skills and analytical abilities in the fields of data analytics
and social science, along with the ability to develop research ideas and questions and to undertake
analysis of data and written presentation of results for practice;

• Develop and deliver professional quality oral presentations that distil insights from analyses of data from
social and cultural perspectives to describe, interpret, and explain the social world;

• Appraise the relative strengths and weaknesses of different quantitative methodologies in analysing
different types of social and cultural data, and apply knowledge in managing the implications of applied
research;

• Develop a good understanding of contemporary topics in social science and data analytics and how the
global landscape shapes the analysis of large datasets, and non-standard forms of data structure, such
as those where it is the links between observations, rather than the observations themselves;

• Take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others;

• Apply ethical codes to the practice of data analytics in the context of social and cultural sciences.

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able:

• Demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge and mastery of techniques relevant to the disciplines of data
analytics and social science and/or to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of concepts,
information and techniques at the forefront of the disciplines;

• Identify, summarise and critically compare key theories, concepts and empirical research evidence
within the fields of data analytics and social science;

• Apply high-level programming and analytical tools and techniques to analyse data describing social and
cultural environments, and set appropriate objectives and strategies in complex situations;

• Develop transferable professional skills in working with others required for using social science data to
form and implement analysis strategies, such as thought leadership;

• Demonstrate advanced independent research skills and analytical abilities in the fields of data analytics
and social science, along with the ability to develop research ideas and questions and to undertake
analysis of data and written presentation of results for practice;

• Develop and deliver professional quality oral presentations that distil insights from analyses of data from
social and cultural perspectives to describe, interpret, and explain the social world;
INTEGRATED DEGREE OF PHD AND MSC (DATA ANALYTICS AND SOCIETY)

• Appraise the relative strengths and weaknesses of different quantitative methodologies in analysing
different types of social and cultural data, and apply knowledge in managing the implications of applied
research;

• Develop a good understanding of contemporary topics in social science and data analytics and how the
global landscape shapes the analysis of large datasets, and non-standard forms of data structure, such
as those where it is the links between observations, rather than the observations themselves;

• Take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others;

• Apply ethical codes to the practice of data analytics in the context of social and cultural sciences.

2. Transferable (Key) Skills

• the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in
industry or area of professional practice;
• evaluating their own achievement and that of others;
• self direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;
• independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional
development;
• critically to engage in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms.

3. Learning Context

For Masters (Taught) students the learning context will include the analysis of, and decision making in, complex
and unpredictable situations. The structure of the programme will provide breadth and/or depth of study and
opportunities for drawing upon appropriate resources and techniques. Opportunities will be provided for
students to develop:

• high level interests and informed opinions;

• develop to a high level their design and management of their learning activities ;

• develop to a high level their communication of their conclusions;

• make an original contribution to the field.

Students will be expected to engage in the exercise of autonomous initiative in their study and work in
professional environments.

4. Assessment

Achievement for the degree of Master (taught programme) will be assessed by a variety of methods in
accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will involve the
achievement of the students in:

• evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry within the discipline;

• demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area;

• drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;

• evaluating and criticising received opinion;

• making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence
of complete data.