Overview
The social sciences and humanities services market is growing. There is an increased need for research-led policy responses to social challenges. (source: The Business Research Company, Jan 2025).
The Doctor of Applied Social Research (DASR) course is suited to professionals from a wide range of social science backgrounds. Our tailored study pathways cover social work, criminal justice, family therapy, housing, dementia, substance use, social policy and applied social science.
You’ll gain expert research skills that can be immediately put to work in your professional setting through our Professional Practice Project module. This allows you to consolidate your learning and skills in preparation for your subsequent thesis stage research. Our highly flexible course empowers you to study while you continue working.
Become an effective social researcher
On this professional doctorate you’ll learn important research skills including:
- how to design a research project that gets meaningful results;
- how to interpret data and use it effectively in your projects;
- the difference between qualitative and quantitative data, and the value of each for research;
- how to use Reflexivity to support your development as a reflective practitioner who works in complex practice settings;
- practical application of everything you’ve studied through assessments and group projects.
You’ll produce an original thesis on a topic that interests you most.
Match the course to your goals
The DASR qualification is a doctoral-level award, similar to a PhD, but with a range of modules tailored to your area of interest.
The specific topics you study will vary depending on which pathway you choose. These pathways ensure your qualification matches the specific demands of your professional role or your career ambitions. Pathway options for the Doctorate in Applied Social Research are:
| On-campus | Blended delivery (combination of on campus and online classes) |
|---|---|
Learn from leading experts in:
- child welfare and protection, adult support and protection, climate change and social work, risk and decision making, and child trafficking;
- dementia and ageing, social care practice, family therapy, nursing, family therapy, and allied health professionals;
- housing and ageing, homelessness and housing rights, housing and migration, housing inequalities, and private rented sector precarity;
- gender and justice, human trafficking, borders and crimmigration, technology and justice, offender supervision and desistance, community justice partnerships, policing, and organised crime;
- substance use, harm reduction, drug and alcohol policy, mental health, inclusion health, and homelessness.
We rank in the top 25 in the UK for research in Social Work and Social Policy (REF 2021). This expertise ensures you’ll benefit from the latest ideas, findings and methods in your field. You’ll graduate with the knowledge to rethink professional environments and the systems that underpin them.
Our education research degree is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council as meeting its quality criteria for postgraduate research training. We’re also part of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science - the UK's largest facilitator of funding, training and support for doctoral students in social science.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
We’re part of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences and our research training is accredited as part of the ESRC Scottish Doctoral Training Centre.
Study abroad
You can choose to take part in the Turing Scheme – which offers placements abroad. Course staff will support your application process.
Faculty staff have many international collaborations and contacts. We welcome students who are interested in developing or using their own international networks.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
When you study Applied Professional Studies at the University of Stirling, you’ll be introduced to pioneering empirical and theoretical research in a vibrant, multi-disciplinary environment.
Underpinning the expertise of our staff, the University of Stirling scored highly in the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021 – a UK-wide assessment of universities’ research output. In the Social Work and Social Policy unit of assessment, we ranked 3rd in Scotland and top 25 in the UK – with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our research deemed world leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
The Doctor of Applied Social Research is intended for experienced professionals, and you’ll normally need the equivalent of a minimum of two years' appropriate professional experience and an honours or masters degree in a relevant social science from a UK university or equivalent. Credit may be awarded for previous study, according to Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework guidelines.
If you’re an international student and applying with a Student Visa, we can’t accept your application for the pathways that are blended delivery as they are in the category of being part-time, delivered online or a distance learning course.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The core modules give you the opportunity to build high quality research skills and learn from each other’s experiences as professionals. Each professional pathway then offers a choice of modules from which two may be selected to tailor your own course. Choose the professional pathway that’s right for you with a host of optional modules in seven diverse fields.
Applied Social Science
The Applied Social Science pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Nature of Social Enquiry; Social Network Analysis; Policy Analysis and Evaluation Research; Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis; Theory and Method of Digital Social Research. This course is delivered on the University of Stirling campus and is open for all to apply.
Criminal Justice
Our Criminal Justice pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Criminological Perspectives; Criminalisation, Social Control and Human Rights; Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice Work; Research Methods in Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. This course is delivered on the University of Stirling campus and is open for all to apply.
Dementia Studies
This pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Evaluation and Assessment in Dementia Care and Researching Dementia. This is a blended course which means it is delivered by a combination of online and on campus classes. If you are an international student and applying with a Student Visa, we can’t accept your application for this course as it is in the category of being part-time, delivered online or a distance learning
Family Therapy
As the only doctorate of its kind in Scotland, the Doctorate of Applied Social Research (Family Therapy) is for family therapists and systemic practitioners who want to develop as a researcher, complementing existing clinical skills and knowledge. This course is delivered on the University of Stirling campus and is open for all to apply.
Housing
This pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Providing Housing Services; Sustainable Communities; Organisational Behaviour; Delivering Affordable Housing; Housing Governance; Healthy Housing. This is a blended course which means it is delivered by a combination of online and on campus classes. If you are an international student and applying with a Student Visa, we can’t accept your application for this course as it is in the category of being part-time, delivered online or a distance learning
Social Work
Our Social Work pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Understanding Children and Young People's needs; Understanding Children and Young People's Needs; Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People; and several others. This course is delivered on the University of Stirling campus and is open for all to apply.
Substance Use
Our Substance Use pathway includes a choice of specialist modules in Understanding Addiction: Society, Policy and Practice and Understanding Addiction: Treatment and Recovery. This is a blended course which means it is delivered by a combination of online and on campus classes. If you are an international student and applying with a Student Visa, we can’t accept your application for this course as it is in the category of being part-time, delivered online or a distance learning
Modules
Teaching
Teaching methods are adapted to suit the aims of each module, and include lectures, seminars, computer-based workshops and group work. There are many opportunities for discussion and feedback from peers and teaching staff. At the thesis stage, you’ll have two supervisors, with the Principal Supervisor having expertise in your chosen area of interest. In addition, you’ll also have access to courses, seminars and development opportunities offered by Stirling Graduate Research School (SGRS) and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences, including advanced training and summer school programmes.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a variety of different methods, including coursework essays, critical review essays, book reviews, research proposals, research papers, conference posters, group project reports and oral presentations.
Course director
Dr Marty Chamberlain, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | International (including EU) students | |
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £17,300 | £48,900 |
| Full-time annual fee (charged years 1-3) | £5,767 | £16,300 |
| Part-time annual fee (charged years 1-5) | £3,460 | £9,780 |
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | International (including EU) students | |
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £17,600 | £49,900 |
| Full-time annual fee (charged years 1-3) | £5,867 | £16,633 |
| Part-time annual fee (charged years 1-5) | £3,520 | £9,980 |
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
This fee is charged as an annual course fee. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fees policy.
Doctoral loans
If you're domiciled in England or Wales, you may be eligible to apply for a doctoral loan from your regional body.
- English students can apply for a loan of up to £30,301 from Student Finance England.
- Welsh students can apply for a loan of up to £29,130 from Student Finance Wales.
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our Doctor of Applied Social Research (DASR) course will enhance your career opportunities across the health, social care, welfare and justice sectors. Cutting-edge research skills are in demand both in business and education.
Social researchers plan, design, conduct, analyse and manage social research projects. Their findings shape policy and address societal issues (source: prospects.ac.uk).
As a graduate from the course you’ll be equipped to conduct research within your organisation and put findings into action to improve peoples’ lives. These skills also open up new job possibilities within your sector, and are also well suited to consultancy roles or an academic career.
Types of employers that regularly use the skills you will gain on the DASR course include:
- Local authorities
- Central government
- Higher education establishments
- Health authorities
- Criminal justice occupations
- Commercial market research organisations
- Independent research institutes
Specific job roles could include:
- Social research officer
- Government social research officer
- Research analyst
- Data analyst
- Market researcher
Senior social researchers typically earn £35,000 - £60,000, while salaries at manager or director level can rise to £70,000 depending on the sector (prospects.ac.uk).
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