Our MA in Social Policy is a modular course focusing on some of the most important issues of a world that is characterised by profound cultural, demographic, economic, political and technological change. This course is ideal for anyone interested in the impact of social policy on people’s lives.
This course is being reapproved under the University’s normal cycle of review. As such, the course structure and content may be changed to enable the University to deliver a better quality of educational experience to students.
Social policy issues are now at the centre of political debate in Britain and much of the industrialised world. This intellectually challenging course focuses on the most important theoretical perspectives at the cutting-edge of the subject.
Why study with us
- Newly-introduced modules include a work placement, where you’ll experience social policy in practice, or you can study an area of your current professional role that interests you.
- As well as looking at the latest issues around welfare provision you’ll explore what’s historically shaped social policy provision in the UK.
- You’ll also examine the principles, political tensions and ethical dilemmas involved in planning and organising a piece of social research.
What you'll do
- You’ll be assessed by the extent to which you achieve the learning outcomes, rather than by exam, with your 12,000-word dissertation making up the biggest single component.
- You’ll be encouraged to develop a framework of knowledge, critical understanding and analytical skills as a basis for both professional and personal development.
- You’ll be taught through a combination of lecture, seminar and workshop settings and extensive use of e-learn for the research module.
Module overview
Compulsory modules
• SP4001: Understanding Poverty and Social Inequality: Perspectives from History
• SP4002: Comparative Social policy and Social Change
• SP4003: Social Theory and Social Policy: Rethinking Welfare
• SW4012: The Making of Social Policy
• SW4037: Dissertation
• SW4800: Themes & Perspectives in Social Research
Optional modules
• SP4004: Social Policy in Practice
• SP4005: Housing and Social Justice
• SW4066: Reflecting on Politics, Policy and Practice
Course delivery
Following the pandemic, we have found that some courses benefit from a blended learning and teaching approach. Therefore, the majority of your teaching will be face-to-face on campus aside from a small amount of online teaching where we have learnt it works best.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Future careers
Our MA in Social Policy benefits professionals working in one or other sector of the mixed economy of welfare, as well as anyone interested in social policy or related discipline such as economics, health studies, history, philosophy, politics and sociology.
It can lead to further postgraduate research and taking on a managerial or professional level role.
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