Master of Science (Social Sciences)

The Master of Science (Social Sciences) at the University of Tasmania is a research-oriented degree for people who want to dig into social questions — how communities change, how inequality works, how institutions shape everyday life — and come out with a substantial piece of original research. Sociology sits at the centre of it, but social science research methods cut across disciplines, so you'll spend much of your time learning how to design studies, gather data and analyse it properly.

How the degree is structured

This is a two-year master's, which puts it at the longer end of the Australian master's range (one to two years is typical). It usually runs across four semesters, with each semester made up of units of study worth a set number of credit points. The early part of the degree is coursework: research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, social theory, and ethics. From there you move into a supervised research thesis or capstone project, which is the biggest single piece of work in the degree and often takes up the final year. Your supervisor is an academic in the relevant discipline, and you'll meet with them regularly as the project develops.

What you actually study

Expect to read a lot of social theory and a lot of method. You'll learn how to frame a research question, choose between interviews, surveys, ethnography and secondary data analysis, and write up findings in a way that stands up to scrutiny. Because it's a Master of Science rather than a coursework-only master's, the thesis matters — it's where you show you can run a research project from start to finish. Some students link their research to Tasmanian communities, industry or public policy questions, which is one of the practical advantages of studying in a smaller state where researchers often work closely with government and community organisations.

Who it suits

This degree suits people who already have a bachelor's degree in sociology, social science, or a related field and want to go deeper — whether that's for a research career, a policy role, or as a stepping stone to a PhD. It also works for professionals in government, community services or health who want formal research training. If you're coming from overseas, you'll need to meet the university's English requirements; for this kind of degree the common coursework-postgraduate standard is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though you should check the exact requirement on the official course page. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. While studying on a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 079611J — confirm the current figure and all entry details on the official page before you apply.

• Social researcher — universities, research institutes, and social policy consultancies
• Policy officer or analyst — Australian Public Service, state government departments, local councils
• Program evaluation officer — not-for-profits, community service organisations, health services
• Data and insights analyst — market research firms, NGOs, peak bodies
• Community development officer — local government and community organisations
• Academic pathway — many graduates continue to a PhD and an academic or research career