Due to the diversity of the subject and the skills acquired through its study, Social Policy equips students and graduates with a unique set of skills and knowledge. Social Policy helps prepare you for the world of work beyond your degree.
The broad remit of Social Policy means a range of private, public and third sector organisations are involved in Social Policy. As such, many Social Policy graduates go on to work in various aspects of research and policy-making at the local, national and international level. This includes central government, local authorities and supra-national bodies but also think tanks, charities, NGOs and social enterprises. Many also pursue other careers drawing on core skills developed during their degree.
Below, Rhea Keehn talks about her experiences of studying Social Policy at the University of Birmingham and how this has helped her to gain employment as a Governance, Policy and Communications Officer:
The variety and flexibility of Social Policy courses means that you can pursue areas of the discipline that are of interest to you. If, for example, you have a particular interest in health, children, crime, or sustainability, Social Policy enables you to specialise in an area that you want to.
Students are encouraged to critically debate the impact of current and future social policies by sourcing, synthesizing and interpreting significant bodies of evidence. Dynamic forms of assessment are often available through presentations, group work, coursework and exams. By the end of the course, students develop the ability to think independently and apply subject-specific knowledge to everyday work and life.
Studying Social Policy enables students to develop a range of core transferrable skills, highly sought after by employers. These include:
- Critically evaluating evidence and information
- Presenting complex problems in a clear and accessible way
- Undertaking research independently and as part of a team
- Problem-solving and mediating between the competing interests of different groups
Social Policy is a good option if you are looking for a degree that is both fascinating to study and instrumental to your professional development.
Dr Stuart Lowe and Dr John Hudson explain what opportunities a Social Policy degree can offer: