Course overview
This course enables you to examine the historical development and contemporary practice of welfare both in Britain and internationally.
The study of social policy focuses on problems such as poverty, homelessness, immigration and unemployment. You will explore cross-national and global issues such as:
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How can we create a good society?
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How much money should we spend on the welfare state?
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Is the current distribution of income and wealth socially just?
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Should public services be paid for by taxpayers or should it be charged individually?
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Should free markets and profit motives play a central role in delivering welfare services?
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Should we welcome recent reforms in education and health?
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Should we cut the benefits of the 'workshy'?
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What are the causes and consequences of poverty in modern Britain?
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What is meant by institutional racism?
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How have social policies influenced gender roles?
You will examine publicly financed welfare services including social security, health, housing, education and social care and how these are delivered and explore alternative forms of welfare provision: private, occupational, voluntary and informal (family, friends and neighbours).
You will be encouraged to explore the underlying reasons for the growth and decline of welfare state regimes and the changing nature of those regimes.
Year one
In the first year, you will study aspects of social policy through a series of case studies covering topics such as social problems, poverty and social exclusion, mental illness and domestic violence. In seminars, you will explore significant traditions and ideas in the discipline of social policy.
Year two
Year two will develop your understanding of the theoretical and methodological foundations of your subject. We will encourage you to explore these through core modules on theories of welfare and philosophy, politics and design of research. There is also some space for optional modules for more specialised study.
Year three
In year three you will use research skills in the form of a dissertation under the supervision of a member of staff, allowing you to pursue an area of particular interest. There will then be a choice of elective modules based on staff research.
Entry requirements
A levels: AAB-ABB
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 (including 6.0 in any element)
TOEFL iBT 100 (no less than 21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking)
Alternative qualifications
Mature applicants, including those on Access courses and those with alternative qualifications are especially encouraged to apply.
For details of alternative qualifications accepted, please see the alternative qualifications page or contact the School.
Studying abroad
Under the Erasmus scheme, we have links with English-speaking universities in Europe and under the Universitas 21 programme, you are eligible to apply for a place to study in Australia, Canada or Singapore.
Modules
The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.
Typical year-one modules
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Investigating Social Worlds
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Social Worlds and the Sociological Imagination
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Understanding Contemporary Society
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Social Problems and Policy Responses
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Culture in Contemporary Society
Typical year-two modules
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Theories of Welfare
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Knowing the Social World: Paradigms and Practices
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Research Design and Practice
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Health Theory, Policy and Practice
Typical year-three modules
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Dissertation in Social Policy
Typical optional modules
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History of British Social Policy
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Housing and Society
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1940-1950 The War and The Peace
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Analysing Public Policy
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International Social Policy
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Tourism, Identity and Risk
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Applied Ethics and Society
Skills and careers
In addition to the subject-specific knowledge that you will build throughout the programe, you will develop key, transferrable skills that are in high-demand by employers. These include written and oral communication, IT skills, statistical analysis, time management and motivation, critical evaluation and team work.
We support our students' employability through careers talks and events and a dedicated Careers Coordinator. Your academic and personal development will also be facilitated by your Personal Tutor, who will be both your academic tutor and provide pastoral support.
Average starting salary
The average starting salary for 2009/10 full-time graduates of the School of Sociology and Social Policy was £16,991.30.*
*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2009/10.