Social Policy at the University of York
Introduction to Social Policy
Social policy looks to understand the causes of social problems and what governments attempt to do about them. York is the home of modern social policy, with an award winning international centre of social policy research (SPRU), and historically, as the city which was shaped by the social pioneers of the Rowntree family.
If you would like to learn more about social policy and the way that it affects how we live, see our subject introduction: What is Social Policy? or attend one of our Open Days.
Dr John Hudson, Dr Stuart Lowe and Dr Stefan Kuehner, lecturers in the Department, have also written The Short Guide to Social Policy which is a pocket-sized introductory book recommended to new students for their first weeks on the course and those interested in an overview of the subject.
Our Social Policy degree courses
Our courses draw on ideas from across the social sciences and adopt a critical perspective that looks to both understand what welfare states seek to achieve but to critique them when they fail to deliver. You'll be taught by lecturers actively researching and making a contribution to the social policy field and will be supported within a small, student-focused Department.
Our BA Social Policy, and our Applied Social Science programmes, are directly relevant to modern society with strong career prospects in a wide range of work areas. For more information, including to see the range of Applied Social Science programmes, visit our undergraduate study pages.
Progressing from a BA in Social Policy, related subject such as Applied Social Science, Politics, Sociology or History, or relevant work experience, we offer MA and MRes programmes to develop your knowledge further in a programme taught wholly at advanced postgraduate level. Our MA and MRes programmes are specially constructed to allow you to develop a career in social and/or policy research. For more information, visit our postgraduate study pages.
Our Social Policy research
The Department has a major, internationally renowned research unit dedicated to social policy research, and a specialist centre researching housing policy:
In addition, lecturing staff actively engage in policy research. Our recent research outputs can be found on our individual staff profiles and through our research pages.