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Social Policy: University of Birmingham

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Degree 
BA
Address
Social Policy: University of Birmingham, The Institute of Applied Social Studies, School of Social Sciences, The University of Birmingham, The Terrace Huts, Birmingham, B15 2TT, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Subject
Sociology
Duration 
3 years
Telephone 
+44 (0)121 414 2676
Fax 
+44 (0)121 414 5726
E-mail 

s.f....@bham.ac.uk

Website 
http://www.iass.bham.ac.uk



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Social Policy is an interdisciplinary degree, drawing on subjects such as sociology, politics, psychology, history, media and cultural studies, and philosophy; hence the degree is suitable for students currently studying a range of A level subjects. Our BA has been ranked as a leading programme in the country in Guardian league tables for several years.

What is Social Policy?

The study of social policy has two main features:

  • First, studying social policy involves exploring a wide range of social issues and questions concerning human aspirations and well-being. Some of these questions and issues are quite broad. For example, how might we understand: globalisation? the relationship between the citizen and the state? and the nature and significance of social phenomena such as crime, social exclusion, faith and gender roles?  It also involves the study of a range of specific issues in areas such as health, education and community safety.
  • Second, studying social policy involves exploring and evaluating the range of viewpoints around ways in which societies and social agencies do, could and should respond to such issues.

Hence, social policy has both theoretical and applied dimensions, which are excellent features for enhancing your career prospects. Social policy also makes strong connections with their lived experiences, as it involves the exploration of cutting-edge issues which confront us as individuals, families, communities and as a society on a day-to-day basis.

Social Policy at Birmingham has been ranked among the top four Social Policy programmes in the country. You will be taught by experts in a range of fields, including: criminology, youth and children, poverty and wealth, housing, globalisation, political history, the voluntary sector, health, and faith and policy.

About the department

The department in which Social Policy degree programmes are taught places an emphasis upon ensuring that students benefit from studying in a vibrant research environment. Consequently, there is a carefully crafted relationship between research activity in the department and module content and teaching.

The department is both friendly and supportive. There is a staff–student committee which provides a forum for regular meetings and discussion between staff and students. Encouraging and supporting group and teamwork is very much part of the departmental ethos, which is, in turn, reflected in the structure and processes of the programmes. Students are encouraged to become involved in the work of the department and the University more broadly, and formal training and paid opportunities are provided. Information and support is also provided for students who wish to gain voluntary experience and so enhance their personal development during their degree.

The department has a common room where students meet on a social basis. Each student is also provided with a personal tutor, whom they meet on a regular basis. The department provides a welfare tutoring system, for students who may need specialist support.

First year

Most people have not studied social policy at advanced level, so the first year is designed to help you find your feet and get up to speed with the subject through the study of some of the main disciplines that are relevant to social policy. Modules studied include introductions to Social Policy, Sociology, Social Issues, Politics, and Research Methods. You can also choose a further module which reflects your particular interests from a range of subject areas such as Psychology, Media Studies, Politics or Sociology.

Second year

In the second year, core courses include Social Theory, and Social Research where you will focus upon gaining research skills for your third-year dissertation. You will also have opportunities to tailor your degree to reflect your developing skills and interests through a range of specialist module choices. Specialist modules include: Crime Victims and Society; Children and Young People; Managing Health and Social Care; Issues in Housing Policy; Social Inclusion; and Policy into Practice.

Policy into Practice is a module which provides students with practical experience in that it involves a placement, and the opportunity to link this experience to your academic learning. You can also choose to study modules from other departments, providing you with further opportunities to personalise your degree.

Third year

The core courses in your third year include Globalisation and Prospects for Social Policy. You can then choose from a range of specialist options which include: Criminal Justice; Community and Identity; Health Policy and Practice; Issues in Housing Policy; Poverty and Social Security; and Risk and Society.

You will also undertake a supervised research-based dissertation, centred on a question or issue of your choice, which particularly interests or inspires you. Your dissertation is worth around 40% of your final-year marks.

Year in industry

Modules such as Policy into Practice provide placement opportunities, which students find helpful, both to illuminate their academic studies, and to demonstrate their practical experience when they apply for jobs.

Teaching and assessment

They use a wide range of teaching methods and assessments, including WebCT, workshops, presentations, seminars, classes, briefing papers, policy reports, project work and essays. A typical assessment for modules is 50% coursework and 50% examination. Some modules are 100% coursework. Students are able to choose some modules according to their personal strengths and preferences in subject matter and assessment methods. Your third-year dissertation, which is research-based, is supervised by an academic tutor. All students have the support of their own personal tutor throughout their degree.

Career opportunities

With an emphasis on examining contemporary social issues and questions, as well as exploring the range of ways in which society does or could respond, social policy makes strong connections with the concerns of a wide range of employers. This means that social policy is a positive choice for students who are interested in enhancing their employment prospects through their choice of degree programme. Social policy is also a flexible degree, enabling students either to specialise, or to keep their degree broad-based. Our students have also found that the wide ranging nature of social policy can be valuable if they wish to change direction later in their career.

Their graduates have pursued careers in a wide range of areas, for example: voluntary organisations; advice work; journalism; public relations; health promotion; the Civil Service; local government; leisure and sports management; probation work; human resource management; and work with children and young people. The degree will also provide you with a good grounding for legal studies, teaching, work in developing countries, social research, and postgraduate study in a range of areas.

Entry requirements

  • Number of A levels required: 3
  • Typical offer: BBC
  • General Studies: accepted
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma: 30–32 points

Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details

Additional information

  1. An undergraduate subject degree brochure is available from Sue Gilbert – email: s.c.gilbert@bham.ac.uk; or tel: +44 (0) 121 414 5709.
  2. They hold Applicant Visiting Days in February and March, which you are most welcome to attend.
  3. They run seminars for groups of students, which comprise a subject talk, a taster seminar, admissions advice and a campus tour. Please contact our Admissions Tutor, Tina Hearn (contact details above),  if you, your school or college would be interested in one of these sessions.
  4. You can find out more information from our course website www.socialpolicy.bham.ac.uk

Contact details

For general information about open days

Main University Switchboard

  • Postal address: The University of Birmingham
    Edgbaston
    Birmingham
    B15 2TT
    United Kingdom
  • Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
  • Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

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