Equality and Diversity

Equality and Diversity (MSc)

Students may study on a part-time (2 year) basis.

Degree Description

The aim of the MSc in Equality and Diversity is to provide students with an opportunity to examine the range of social science issues related to promoting equality and diversity (e.g. equality and diversity issues in legislation, governance, the state, the public and private sectors and the voluntary sector). The contemporary equalities landscape is changing with new duties to promote equality and the creation of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. This programme of study will give students the opportunity to review debates, investigate substantive issues, and develop the analytic and empirical skills for effective equalities practice.

Cardiff is one of the premier academic institutions in Britain and Europe for the study of equality and diversity. The MSc in Equality and Diversity is a leading degree in this subject area. Our staff are at the forefront of research in this field. Students at Cardiff benefit from being at one of the top ten research universities in Britain. Postgraduate students are a growing proportion of students in the social sciences. They have access to a dedicated Graduate Centre and computer facilities. The degree programme is supported by small group seminars and supervision by academic staff.

Teaching and Training

The components of the MSc Equality and Diversity degree scheme are: Three compulsory core Equality modules (SIT110, SIT061, SIT112); two compulsory foundation modules (SIT001) Research Methods and (SIT005) Social Theory; and, a choice of an elective module.[1] In order to pass and proceed to the dissertation stage students must gain 120 credits by passing the aforementioned modules.Students are strongly advised to plan their overall programme of study - and pay careful attention to: (i). Meeting the foregoing requirements (ii). Completing the various stages of the degree scheme within the permitted time limits[2] (iii). And, complying with the attendance requirements of the various taught components – as well as balancing work - and other responsibilities - with the demands of studying for a postgraduate degree.[3]

Further details will be provided in your Student Handbook.

[1] Note: The University reserves the right to vary the number and content of modules on offer.

[2] Subject to Academic Regulations determining the permitted length and pattern of study. Typical duration of a taught Masters degree scheme is 2 years.

[3] Please Note: The format of the modules varies. Most are taught in an intensive “weekend” format. This entails a programme of study that runs from a Thursday afternoon through to a Saturday afternoon – followed by a number of weekly seminars after the “weekend” module component. However, some modules such as SIT001 are delivered as a weekly lecture course - with accompanying seminars. Prior to commencing their studies students should familiarise themselves with the attendance requirements of the various taught components of the degree scheme.

For further information about modules, please visit the Degree Structure page.

Period of Study

The period of study is twenty-four months. The dissertation is begun in the second semester of the second year and completed during the summer months. The summer is a period of independent research with one to one supervision.

For further information about the Degree Structure, please visit the Degree Structure page.

Applications

Applications for study are invited in any area that falls within the School’s broad remit. Before applying, it is advisable for potential applications to use the School's website to familiarise themselves with the expertise of its staff. For further information about applications and admission requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Academic Staff

Dr Paul Chaney - public policy, governance, political representation, territorial politics
Professor Ralph Fevre - sociology of economic behaviour, social theory, Workplace Bullying And Harassment With Special Reference To Race And Ethnicity,
Professor Teresa Rees - Gender mainstreaming, Women and science policy in Europe, Labour market analysis, Higher education funding policy
Professor Andrew Pithouse - theories of childhood and effective interventions to support families. His published work is in family services evaluation, children looked after, children’s advocacy, child assessment, family centres, early intervention, user participation, ethnographies of social work practice
Professor Susan Baker - Environmental governance in the European Union (including: The promotion of sustainable development; Environmental governance and eastern enlargement, including in Bulgaria; and Governance and democratic participation) and Eco feminism, gender and the environment.
Professor Mark Drakeford - poverty and social policy, with particular emphasis on young people and criminal justice issues. Also social policy dimensions in Wales

Research Groups in the School

The above staff are members of one of more of the School’s numerous research groups. Students are encouraged to learn about and become members of these groups themselves and to attend research events in the School throughout their course, including the School Seminar Series.