Sociology and Social Policy

Explore new and creative ways to tackle key social challenges. Learn theory and methods to understand, critically examine, and influence organisations.

This course will appeal if you want to combine an understanding of the social world from different perspectives with a rigorous analysis of policy responses to social problems. You will examine theory and techniques from sociology alongside the analytical focus of social policy.

You’ll explore areas such as health, welfare and poverty, race and discrimination, inequality and exclusion. By the end of the course, you’ll have an understanding of how social institutions develop and operate and how they might be improved.

In Year 1, you'll be introduced to social theory, ideas about the state and social change, and the central traditions of social research. You’ll select an option in either criminology or international development.

In Year 2, you'll expand and deepen your understanding of contemporary social theory. You will explore the political processes that underpin policy-making practices and develop data analysis techniques. You’ll choose from a range of options in sociology, social policy, criminology and international development.

In your final year, you'll do your dissertation. This will demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ll develop. You'll also choose from a range of optional units from across the social sciences. These will allow you to build upon the theoretical understanding you’ll gain during Years 1 and 2 and apply it to contemporary sociological issues.

The flexibility of this course will allow you to create a degree that’s tailored to your interests and potential future career.

Informed teaching to advance your learning
You’ll learn from teaching staff with diverse backgrounds and expertise in different areas of sociology and social policy. Their passion, knowledge and research activities shape their teaching. This combination aims to enhance your learning experience.

Develop your professional skills
We work to provide you with the tools and support to prepare you for employment and further study. These include:
critical and analytical thinking
research skills
skills related to generating and analysing sociological data ranging from ethnography to computational techniques
presentation and communication skills
project management
team working
You will also benefit from expert guest speakers from the public, commercial or third sector.

Prepare for your future career
Many of our social sciences graduates have gone on to work as social and policy researchers, civil servants, international consultants, journalists, and accountants.

They've gone on to work in:
government departments
social enterprises and charities
European and international agencies and organisations
Social care and family services
international development
public policy consultancy