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Sociology, Social Policy and Social Sciences Graduate Outcomes

Graduate Outcomes 2022/23 for full-time UK domiciled first degree Sociology, Social Policy and Social Sciences graduates - 15 months after Bath.

Courses included on this page

On this page find Graduate Outcomes Survey data for 2022/23 leavers for the following course(s):

  • Social Policy BSc
  • Social Sciences BSc
  • Sociology and Social Policy BSc
  • Sociology BSc

Example job titles

  • Account Assistant
  • Case Administrator
  • Editor in Chief
  • Government Social Research Analyst
  • Learning and Development Assistant
  • Policy Graduate
  • Project Coordinator
  • Research Officer

Example employers

  • Activate Learning
  • Bird and Bird
  • Department for Education
  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • Nest Pensions
  • Ofcom
  • Somerset County Council
  • University of Bath

Further study

Social and policy sciences graduates pursue further study at master’s and occasionally PhD level across several subject areas. Some choose to specialise in social sciences and social research at a higher level. Others take their interest in particular social issues and follow them in greater depth, for example, in criminology, migration studies, and humanitarian conflict. An interest in how people work leads some to pursue business and HR master’s programmes, for example, human resources management, organisational science/analysis, management, and finance. For others, policy is the key draw, for instance, in public policy and international public policy. A few opt to pursue further study to transition into a different career area, such as psychology, occupational therapy, or data science.

Example further study institutions

  • King's College London
  • University of Bath
  • University of Exeter
  • University of the Arts, London

Response rate to survey

Response rate
Total in 2022/23 cohort 1 60
% response rate 53%

Graduate Outcomes by activity

Activity summary Percentage
Work for an employer 2 74%
Further study, training or research 13%
Self-employed/own business
Other 3 10%
Unemployed 4 3%
Total 5 100%

Occupations, industries and skills

Studies in Social and Policy Sciences provide comprehensive training focused on social change and justice. Graduates develop valuable skills including teamwork, research skills, critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving, alongside specialist social science knowledge. These capabilities prepare them for diverse roles across multiple sectors.

Industries

Graduates pursue varied career paths across the public, private and third sectors. These include local and national government, education and healthcare, charities and NGOs, and business (particularly marketing, market research, human resources and communications).

Occupations

Career opportunities are diverse and often shaped by individual interests. Common roles include policy adviser, social researcher, housing adviser, marketing professional, market researcher and human resources consultant.

Graduate Outcomes explained

The Graduate Outcomes Survey is the UK's largest social survey, capturing the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after graduation. The University of Bath has an excellent graduate employment record, featuring in the top ten for graduate prospects in three major national league tables 6. Read more about the survey and overall statistics for Bath's graduates on What do first degree Bath graduates do?

Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey for 2022/23 leavers relating to full-time UK-domiciled first-degree University of Bath graduates, 15 months after leaving university.

Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited part of Jisc 2025. Jisc cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.

  1. Number rounded to the nearest multiple of five. 

  2. Includes paid and unpaid work and voluntary work.  

  3. Includes developing a creative, artistic or professional portfolio, taking time out to travel, caring for someone (unpaid), retired, or doing something else.  

  4. Unemployed may include those due to start work or further study.  

  5. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Activity defined using HESA MIMPACT: identifies what the graduate considered to be their most important activity on census week. 

  6. 6th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, 6th in the Complete University Guide 2026, and 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2026.  

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