Social & Policy Sciences

Programmes

• Social & Policy Sciences MPhil and PhD
• MRes European Social Policy
• MRes Global Political Economy: transformations and policy analysis (delivered collaboratively with the University of Bristol)
• MRes International Development
• MRes Security, Conflict & Justice (delivered collaboratively with the Universities of Bristol and Exeter)
• MRes Social Policy
• MRes Social Work
• MRes Sociology
• MSc Business & Community
• MSc International Development
• MSc International Public Policy Analysis
• MSc Wellbeing in Public Policy and International Development

Research

Main areas of research

We are an internationally-recognised research-intensive department with a strong focus on policy and practice and a commitment to contribute to social wellbeing and social justice.

We draw together academic staff with backgrounds in Social Policy, Sociology, Social Work and International Development and work closely with colleagues in Psychology, Economics, and Health.

We also have an active and vibrant community of research students undertaking their own research alongside our academic staff.

Research Centres

• Centre for the Analysis of Social Policy (CASP)
• Centre for Death and Society (CDAS)
• Centre for Development Studies (CDS)
• Wellbeing in Developing Countries Research (WeD)
• History of Technology Research Unit (HOTRU)

Research themes

Our five research themes are:

• Children, Young People, Families
• Lifelong Health and Wellbeing
• Work and Welfare
• Global Transformations and Insecurity
• Governance and Policy Design

Departmental Staff

Find out more about our staff and their research interests.

About

Introduction

The Department of Social & Policy Sciences includes academics from social policy, sociology, social work and international development.

The international excellence of our research was recognised by the award of the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2011. We were also graded 2nd in the country for Social Work and Social Policy and Administration in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The 2008 RAE exercise recognised the Department for its top 4*(star) research - 'quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour'.

International Development staff were part of the submission to the Development Studies research panel that was ranked 4th in the country.

We are committed to advancing learning and knowledge through teaching and research. Our Department collaborates with a wide range of users at the local, national, European and global levels.

Postgraduate programmes

We offer a wide range of postgraduate programmes. Our postgraduate teaching strongly reflects our research and our links to policy-makers and development institutions at the national, European and global level.

Our Department also has an active MPhil/PhD research programme. We take great pride in fostering a friendly and supportive learning environment.

Seminar series

We run a lively and well attended postgraduate research seminar series. Each of the Research Centres run seminar series and conferences associated with their research activities. The University of Bath also has a Research in the World public lecture series where key national and international academics are invited to speak.

Careers information

We are committed to ensuring that postgraduate students acquire a range of subject-specific and generic skills during their training. Our graduates generally go on to work in a wide variety of organisations, for example:

• social research in universities and research institutes, government, business, voluntary organisations and international organisations
• public policy analysis at local, national and international levels
• public information and campaigning within organisations concerned with wellbeing, sustainability and social justice.