Department of Social & Policy Sciences

One of the UK's leading centres for social sciences, we offer degrees in sociology, social policy, social work, international development and criminology.

Study sociology, social policy, social work and international development

Find out about our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, funding opportunities and how you can apply.

Department of Social & Policy Sciences undergraduate courses

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View the undergraduate courses that are available in the Department of Social & Policy Sciences.

Department of Social & Policy Sciences postgraduate studies

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Choose from a range of high-quality postgraduate courses that build on our renowned research activities.

MSc Public Policy course video

Watch a video introduction to our new 2 year part-time course in Public Policy.

MSc Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development course video

Dr Jason Hart standing in front of a village in Jordan.

Dr Jason Hart introduces this 2 year part-time, blended-learning course in Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development.

Royal connections

In a single year, Abhishek managed to become a Commonwealth Scholar, take up leadership roles at the University and meet the Queen.

Study development, humanitarianism or public policy

Follow your interests to a master’s level with our full- and part-time courses. Get an overview of what you can study at Bath in this fast moving sector.

Our research and people

Our research brings together insights and approaches from social policy, sociology, social work and international development studies.

Social policy, sociology and international development research

Our research contributes to policy and practice. We are focussed on new and emerging challenges of the contemporary world.

Why Canadian aid won’t really help Palestinian entrepreneurs

Dr Jeremy Wildeman from our Centre for Development Studies writes for The Conversation.

How Canada could use the Saudi quarrel to help the Middle East – and itself

Woman protesting the release of activist from Saudi Arabia

Research Associate in International Development, Jeremy Wildeman, writes for The Conversation on the diplomatic row and wider implications for the region.

Department of Social & Policy Sciences seminars 2017-18

See the schedule of seminars taking place in the Department of Social & Policy Sciences.

Using comics to understand post-war transitions

Centre for Development Studies researcher, Oliver Walton, shares his experiences of using comics to conduct and share research

Department of Social & Policy Sciences academic staff

We oversee and deliver the Department’s teaching and research activities.

News

Our latest news and updates.

Dr Ana Dinerstein to run writing workshop in Mexico

The workshop will be attended by researchers, postgraduate students and scholar activists working in Mexico and across Latin America.

New IFS and IPR research on what factors really influence graduate earnings

Family background has an important impact on graduates’ future earnings, but subject and institution choice can be even more significant, say the authors.

Dr Ana Cecilia Dinerstein runs Summer School on The Art of Organising Hope

Group of people addressing public with Summer School banner in the background

Ana Dinerstein shared her ideas on concrete utopia and her work The Art of Organising Hope at the Centre for Rural Development Summer School in Puebla, Mexico.

New project to investigate impact of Universal Credit for families balancing work, money and care

The team involved in the IPR Universal Credit Project: Professor Jane Millar, Fran Bennett, Rita Griffiths and Marsha Wood.

An ambitious new project, launched via the Institute for Policy Research, will look at the impact of changes under Universal Credit for couples with children.

Interactive event seeks to develop services for trafficked children

Dr Alinka Gearon has secured funding from the Economic and Social Research Council to run a seminar showcasing her research on child trafficking services.

Social policy researchers recognised with excellence awards

Professors Tess Ridge and Jane Millar have been recognised with prestigious awards.

Upcoming events

See our upcoming events.

Critical theory today: In conversation with John Holloway

The first of the Bath-Bristol Standing Seminars in Critical Theory, this event will focus on how to bring about radical change in a world governed by violence.

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An image of a man without a face with code displayed on top of it.

Find out what happens to our digital identities after we die. This Dante or Die Theatre event takes place at 6pm on 16 October 2018 in the Arts Cafe.

Child trafficking: Children's voices informing practice

Child sitting in the dark looking through a whole in the wall

This interactive seminar will present the latest research on children’s experiences of being trafficked.

About the Department of Social & Policy Sciences

With a reputation for cutting-edge research and innovative teaching, we focus on international development, social policy and death studies, and offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in sociology, social policy and international development.

Academic staff provide learning experiences including tutorials, debates, seminars, guided reading, online discussion groups, placements and lectures.