Overview

• You will receive a thorough grounding in core social science disciplines used to analyse social policy: sociology; social psychology; politics and economics.
• You will be trained in key transferable skills in different types of research methods and analysis of data and encouraged to develop your own policy analysis skills in your projects.
• You will study core modules designed specifically for this degree programme and choose from a selection of over 20 option modules developed specially by the Department, or choose from a wider range offered by other Departments such as Politics or Sociology.

Our Social Policy programme is suited to you if you are interested in:

• The main pillars of the welfare state in the UK and elsewhere
• The impact of globalisation on social programmes in the UK and other countries
• Why the policy-making process in the 21st century is so complex
• How and why patterns of social inequality still persist
• What more could be done to reduce child poverty at home and abroad

What subjects should I have studied before?

Social Policy draws upon many disciplines, if you have previously studied sociology, politics, history, geography or psychology, you may be interested in this degree programme. Similarly, some of our students choose Social Policy because it is a subject they have not studied before, yet appeals to their interests.

Structure

Course structure

This is a 3-year, full time undergraduate programme.

See also: Social Policy and Applied Social Science Module Descriptions

Dissertation examples

The third year dissertation is a great opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding in independent supervised research on a topic of your interest. Previous dissertation titles include:

• The role of policy networks in shaping urban regeneration policy
• Young people’s engagement in the political process
• Is there an East Asian Welfare Model?
• Social housing under New Labour – demand, supply and residualisation

Teaching and support

Modules

Feature: Housing Policy Field Trips [Watch the video]

Modules vary in length, credit weighting and the way in which they are assessed.

First and second year modules last for the full academic year (3 terms), count for 30 credits, involve lectures and seminars, some assessment throughout the three terms and a final assessment task in the third term.

Third year option modules are taught in a single term, but count for 20 credits and have around three hours contact per week with a mixture of lectures and seminars. These may also encourage you to research topics in advance and make presentations to the group.

See: Social Policy and Applied Social Science module descriptions

Assessment

The most common form of assessment is essay work set for each module taken, typically around 3,500 words. The end of degree dissertation is 10,000 words in length. There is only minimal use of closed examinations in some modules.

Support

All students are allocated a personal supervisor who is responsible for supporting you throughout your three years. Most commonly, your supervisor will be a member of the staff team responsible for the degree and involved in teaching some of the core modules.

Your lectures and second and third year seminars will be delivered by academic staff and on occasion guest speakers. The majority of first year module seminars have the added benefit of being led by trained postgraduate students. Their role is to help you make sense of new subject material, give you the opportunity to ask questions and chat about your ideas.

Careers

Many of our students use the expertise they gain from their degree to enhance their employment careers. Recent examples include:

• Policy research in the House of Commons
• Employment and training research
• Work for specialist charities such as ‘Shelter’
• Work for a local authority

Others go on to develop their skills through:

• Fast-track civil service training
• Housing Management training sponsored by a Housing Association
• Post-graduate training in social work

Some of the key skills that you will develop throughout your degree include:

• Academic and evidence-based writing
• Presentation skills
• Information searching skills
• Awareness of different backgrounds and global cultures