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MA Social Policy

The MA Social Policy programme at University of Birmingham will address a range of social problems, such as poverty, homelessness, crime and health inequalities. You will be encouraged to consider the underlying causes and to formulate policy solutions to address specific social problems.

Quick Facts

  
Full-Time Duration: 1 year (Full-Time)
2 years (Part-Time)
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £21,150 per year
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

The Social Policy programme at University of Birmingham also examines contemporary and comparative developments within social policy so that you will be able to consider the shifting nature of welfare arrangements in a broader political, economic and social context, from both a UK and global perspective.

Inherent to Social Policy as a field of study is a normative focus that seeks to describe the state of a specific society not only in terms of the fulfilment of human needs, but to consider if our societies should be more effectively and justly organised. A key focus for the MA Social Policy programme will be on the ways in which we might transform our societies to increase human well-being and to promote sustainable forms of living, and to encourage you to evaluate alternative forms of social organisation.

Courses include:

  • Philosophies of Welfare: creating new societies?
  • Poverty, Wealth and Inequality
  • Dissertation
  • The Third Sector and Social Policy
  • Migration, Super diversity, Policy and Practice
  • Policy Futures: Theories and Concepts in International Policymaking
  • Globalisation, International Migration & Citizenship

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

Social policy is an applied social science that will challenge you to formulate your own policy solutions to key social issues. It will equip you with a combination of social research expertise, substantive knowledge of social issues and policy domains, as well as techniques of policy analysis.

The MA Social Policy programme is designed for those working in various areas of social policy such as health, housing and social services or who are interested in pursuing a career in these and related fields. It is also suitable for students who have studied a relevant social science or humanities programme at undergraduate level and who are now seeking to study social policy for the first time at postgraduate level.

Requirements

  • For entry onto this programme you will normally have an undergraduate degree of at least a 2:1. Applicants with a 2:2 degree classification will be considered on a case by case basis, if you have extensive related work experience. International applicants will be required to hold an IELTs 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band or equivalent qualification.
  • Applicants are required to offer a relevant degree subject, and we will consider the following subjects: social policy, sociology, criminology, cultural studies, politics, international relations, generic social science degrees (but excluding Business related degrees), human/social geography, media studies, art history, history and philosophy.

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