Dispute Resolution and
and Public Sociology
Why QMU?
QMU has a long-standing track record of
delivering postgraduate courses in the
area of governance, justice and public
management. We are particularly well
suited to providing education and
research in this field at QMU as our
vision and values as an institution
emphasise the importance of social
justice.
We currently offer a PgCert Dispute
Resolution and a new MSc Public
Sociology.
Our innovative PgCert Dispute
Resolution, delivered by online (distance)
learning, is hosted by our Consumer
Dispute Resolution Centre. The course
gives those with a strong interest in
dispute resolution a deep understanding
of both theory and practice in this crucial
area. The course provides tailored and
flexible learning for professionals seeking
to deepen and widen their skills and
knowledge of disputes and how they are
resolved. The Consumer Dispute
Resolution Centre is formed of a highly
experienced team of dispute resolution
professionals and academics who have
delivered professional development
courses to organisations across the UK
and internationally.
Our MSc Public Sociology is about
understanding society and how to bring
about change. This course is aimed at
sociology graduates who are looking to
specialise in public sociology as well as
people engaged in community work,
social welfare, public engagement or
campaigns who would like to learn how
sociological theory and research can
meaningfully contribute to their work.
The course draws on our academics’
extensive work with NGOs, and with
humanitarian and community groups, in
the UK and overseas.
Our courses are professionally relevant.
We use guest speakers, external
consultants and experienced
professionals alongside research-active
academics to ensure our content is
context-driven and practice-orientated.
Our philosophy as an institution
emphasises student support and our
relatively small size means that we can
develop strong working relationships
with all our students.
Research
Careers
Dispute resolution i s a growth industry
– the UK Government alone spends an
estimated £1.5 billion a year on resolving
disputes with citizens. With more and
more people employed in dispute
resolution roles, the PgCert Dispute
Resolution will help you become a leader
in the field.
According to Scottish Council for
Voluntary Organisations, the third sector
workforce in Scotland is comparable in
size to that of the NHS, meaning there
are a wide range of opportunities for
Public Sociology graduates seeking to
make a difference in community work,
campaigning and public engagement.
Our approach to teaching and learning
Our staff are deeply involved in research
ensuring that course content is up to
date. You will be taught by active
researchers in their own right, some of
whom have recently completed their
doctoral studies and others who are
publishing in mainstream academic
journals. Such engagement is key to the
relevance of our courses, and helps
equip staff and students with the
background to make intelligent decisions
about their future. You will also have
contact with our growing number of PhD
students as you progress through your
dissertation, and those students who
choose further study at master’s or
doctoral level are able to develop these
interests further.
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Our courses are designed to enable
students who are full-time professionals
to study on a part-time basis. The
PgCert Dispute Resolution is delivered
via online (distance) learning. With the
new MSc Public Sociology, wherever
possible, teaching will be take place over
no more than two days per week, and
the course can be studied full-time or
part-time.