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, international development and criminology

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

Department of Social & Policy Sciences undergraduate courses

A woman in a lecture listening and smiling.

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

Department of Social & Policy Sciences postgraduate studies

A lecturer gesturing at a chart on the whiteboard

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.

5 reasons to study social sciences at Bath

There are lots of reasons to study social sciences at Bath. Here's our top 5.

Our research and people

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

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.

Department of Social & Policy Sciences seminars spring 2019

View the schedule of seminars taking place in the Department of Social & Policy Sciences (SPS).

Revealing the extent of pharmaceutical industry funding of patient organisations in the UK

Emily Rickard, Piotr Ozieranski, and Shai Mulinari examine the extent of pharmaceutical industry funding of patient organisations in the UK.

What psychotherapy can do for the climate and biodiversity crises

Caroline Hickman from the Department of Social & Policy Sciences writes for The Conversation.

Looming crisis for family carers of people with learning disabilities

Findings presented this week suggest our ageing population could push older family carers for people with conditions such as Down's syndrome to breaking point.

Department of Social & Policy Sciences academic staff

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

News

Our latest news and updates.

University film premiered at the UN in New York

Roy and Simon in front of the UN’s famous HQ in Manhattan

The award-winning ‘Voices from the Mine’ from Roy Maconachie and Simon Wharf was showcased to policymakers at the UN HQ last week.

Bath to play key role in tackling environmental factors of ill health

Researchers at the University will play a key role in UK public health, tackling the rise in conditions such as heart disease and poor mental health.

Innovative project shares lessons in social work between UK and Africa

The GCRF partnership involves Dr Louise Brown from Bath's Department of Social & Policy Sciences with international parters in South Africa and Tanzania.

The GCRF project, led by Dr Louise Brown, focuses on how social work interventions from the UK could translate to low and middle income countries.

Brexit could have real effects for UK rare disease patients

A male nurse checks the dosage on his digital tablet supervised by staff nurse

SPS graduate Maddie Collin's dissertation cited in expert ALS News Today article warning about the consequences of Brexit for rare disease patients in the UK.

Joe Devine conferred as Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

Professor Joe Devine, Head of the Department of Social & Policy Sciences, is one of 73 social scientists to become Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.

New book on attributing development impact

Professor James Copestake is one of the authors of a newly published book about an innovative approach to social impact evaluation.

Awards and accolades

Our awards, rankings and reputation.

Top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019 for Social Policy & Administration

Awarded Gold for excellence in undergraduate teaching

Upcoming events

See our upcoming events.

GW4 Social Protection Research Symposium

22 Jul 2019 9.30am 8 West, 2.34, University of Bath

Register for a one day research seminar on social protection for PhD students from the four GW4 universities, SWDTP and IDS (University of Sussex).

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.