Develop an interdisciplinary and cutting-edge understanding of local, national and global inequality issues. Explore strategies for change. Research an area of inequality to specialise in. Gain a career in the public, voluntary or education sector, or take your studies to PhD level. Be a part of changing the world.
Overview
Why does inequality exist and what can we do about it? In this theoretical and research-based Inequality and Society course, you'll examine the major causes of inequalities in our world. You'll explore the nature of intersectionality, including how factors such as gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, and others come together and how certain groups face unique forms of disadvantage. You'll develop as a researcher and work out strategies that can be used to change the unequal world in which we live in order to help achieve equity and social justice.
Take advantage of a broad range of optional modules which explore the nature of inequality further, examining topics such as gender, activism and social justice, mental and physical health, sexualities and gender identities, media exclusions, childhood inequalities, and socio-economic inequalities. We are proud of our ‘internationalising of the curriculum’ approach where topics explored will be from national to global in their outlook. Our modules have been aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
You'll have opportunities to develop your own employability skills and depending on your chosen modules, to learn skills such as conference speaking, using social research software like Nvivo and SPSS, writing a report for global bodies like the United Nations, writing a campaign strategy for an activist movement, and developing electronic resources such as blogs, podcasts and YouTube clips.
Why us?
- Our MSc Inequality and Society course scored an excellent 97% satisfaction score in the 2022 PTES (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey). 100% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the course is ‘intellectually stimulating’ in 2022.
- Choose from a wide range of optional modules covering staff research specialisms in gender, activism and social justice, sexuality and gender identity, childhood, gender, socio-economic disadvantage, and health inequalities
- Be taught by award-winning staff in the areas of equality and diversity, and teaching and learning. Staff are active researchers in tackling inequalities at a national and global level.
- Have the opportunity to present your dissertation research findings at our MSc conference at the end of your studies, which is great for your professional development
- Benefit from a concentrated timetable with classes held on one day per week (except for two dissertation days), to fit around work and other commitments
- Have opportunities to build up experience with leading and respected equality and diversity organisations through internships and volunteering
- Attend weekly ‘Development Sessions’ to help you to improve as a social researcher and student, and gain opportunities to boost your employability skills after graduation
- The University of Sunderland was recently named 'University of the Year for Social Inclusion' (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021)
Course structure
Full-time route
The full-time MSc Inequality and Society is studied over one year from October to September. The course runs on a Tuesday with modules in three-hour blocks to fit around work and childcare commitments and to reduce the number of days that you are in university.
The course will typically be taught as the following:
Semester one (two core modules and weekly Development Sessions)
All classes in semester one are on a Tuesday. In semester one, these are held in the afternoon (1-4pm for first core module) and one evening class (5-8pm for second core module).
Development Sessions also run on a Tuesday from 12-1pm throughout both semester one and two, and are optional. Development Sessions will cover topics such as writing a PhD proposal, searching for academic journals, exploring additional research methods outside of your modules, providing dissertation drop-ins, introducing employability and graduate support, and offering opportunities to give course feedback. There will also be informal opportunities to have coffee with the Programme Leaders.
Semester two (two optional modules)
All classes in semester two are also on a Tuesday. Depending on your option choices, these will typically run in the timeslots of: 9-12pm, 1-4pm or 5-8pm.
Semester three (core dissertation module over the year)
Alongside writing your dissertation, there will be two mandatory ‘dissertation days’ to prepare you for your dissertation research, which will typically be a full day (10am-4pm) over two Fridays, one in November and another in January. You will be provided with an academic calendar with the exact dates of these when you enrol.
Other commitments
You must also take part in a day-long ‘MSc Inequality and Society Dissertation Conference’ towards the end of the course, in the September as you complete your MSc. We would also encourage students to attend other voluntary training courses and opportunities that fall on other days where possible.
A typical week for you, whether full-time or part-time, will include interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, blended learning, group and individual work, and computer-based learning. Throughout the course, you'll have one-to-one support from an allocated Personal Academic Tutor who will meet with you regularly.
Enrichment weeks
During both semesters where there are local half-term holidays, teaching doesn't take place during these weeks. Instead, we offer all students ‘enrichment weeks’ of optional and additional activities. These have ranged from guest lectures, training sessions, theatre trips, visits to museums, and more. We encourage all students to come along to enrichment weeks in both semesters.
Facilities
You'll be based at the recently refurbished Wearside View, situated on the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. This stunning riverside location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city center and City Campus.
Career ready
The MSc Inequality and Society creates a number of career options. Your expert knowledge of equality and diversity, data analysis, and strong research skills will be highly prized by employers. You'll become a specialist in your chosen area of inequality, as well as other areas that you choose to study.
Many University of Sunderland postgraduates now work in the fields of human rights, equality, inclusion and diversity, education, the criminal justice system, the private sector and business, local and national government, international development, social justice campaign work, advocacy, and social research. Many of our graduates also go on to study a postgraduate research qualification, such as a PhD.
Read more about what you can do with a Social Science degree.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course will be able to forge careers:
- As equality and diversity champions in the public/statutory, private, non-profit and education sectors, for example schools, colleges, the armed forces, and private businesses
- Working for the government, private organisations, local authorities, and international bodies as a social researcher or policy analyst
- Working with groups such as BAME, asylum seekers, refugees, LGBTQI+ people, and women’s rights
- Working in organisations that offer support to other disadvantaged groups such as the homeless, domestic abuse, exploitation, and organisations that tackle poverty and exclusion
- In community and youth work with children, young people, adults, and older people
- Working in organisations that tackle the social causes of health inequalities and public health
- In human rights research, development and policy, including campaign work on a national or international basis
- Working locally and globally for international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in national and international development work, advocacy, and research
- In the criminal justice system, for example the police, probation service, prisons, and working to combat hate crimes
- Working with both victims and perpetrators
Employability support
At the beginning of the course, a full induction and Flying Start pre-course module will introduce you to Sunderland Futures, offering a range of career and CV-enhancing services that you can use as a masters student. During the course, Development Sessions from 12-1pm on a Tuesday will be offered to support you in learning new skills, research methods, and boosting future employment opportunities. There may also be additional training courses offered for?you to top up your CV, and opportunities for you to go to conferences and events will be promoted. These additional courses may be on different days to timetabled modules.
Internships and voluntary experience in equality based organisations
You may be offered opportunities to engage with short or long-term internships with organisations who are involved with tackling social inequalities. This is a great way to gain experience over the year of your MSc with cutting-edge organisations as you study and which may form the basis of your final dissertation topic. Excellent opportunities to take part in internships and long-term volunteering may be offered and previous MSc students have taken positions with acclaimed organisations such as The Equality Trust and JustFair.
MSc Inequality and Society conference
At the end of the course in the September, you will take part in arranging and presenting your dissertation findings in front of your peers and staff members. This is a supportive experience that allows you to familiarise yourself with presenting research and associated findings in a conference setting, which will enhance your confidence, CV, and career development.
Centre for Applied Social Sciences
The University of Sunderland’s Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS) combines original academic research with practice-based collaborations and outreach activities, often working directly with practitioners, policymakers, and front-line delivery staff regionally, nationally, and internationally.
The mission of CASS reflects that of the University's aim as a civic university: to take an active interest in the social issues that affect the region and beyond by engaging in research and practice-based collaborations that aim to improve living conditions, address inequalities and social exclusion, and promote social justice.
Currently our research focuses around three strands: children, young people and families; communities, health and social exclusion; and crime, victims and social justice.
CASS regularly hosts visiting speakers and holds events that you will be invited to. This can be an excellent way to learn from the real-life experience of experts in the field who already have a strong track record in sociological and social policy related social research.
PhD options
PhD options include:
- Sociology
- Criminology
- Business
- Health and Social Care
- Ethnicity
- Sexuality
- Gender Studies
Solving inequalities in society
Drew Dalton, Programme Leader, led a team of social scientists to introduce this inequality-focused masters course. Here, he talks about welfare reforms and the rising cost of living, coupled with the concerning rise of hate crime and the far right, as well as the impact of Brexit. Learn more about how the course came about, its intention, and hear from an applicant in our ‘Solving inequalities in society’ news article.
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