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Social Policy & Administration

Social Policy & Administration is the study of how governments, public services, charities, and other organisations respond to social issues and improve people's well-being. The subject examines the development, implementation, and impact of policies that affect individuals, families, and communities.

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What will you learn?

​Understanding Social Policy

  • How social policies are developed and implemented

  • The role of government in addressing social needs

  • The structure of welfare systems

  • Public service delivery and reform

  • National and international social policy issues

 

Public Administration and Governance

  • How public sector organisations operate

  • Policy-making processes

  • Public management and leadership

  • Local and national government systems

  • Decision-making in public services

 

Social Issues and Inequality

Students investigate topics such as:

  • Poverty and social exclusion

  • Income inequality

  • Housing policy

  • Health inequalities

  • Education and opportunity

  • Migration and diversity

  • Gender equality

  • Ageing and social care

 

Research and Policy Analysis

  • Designing social research projects

  • Collecting and analysing data

  • Evaluating public policies

  • Interpreting social statistics

  • Producing evidence-based recommendations

 

Economics and Public Services

  • Financing public services

  • Welfare economics

  • Public spending and budgeting

  • Social investment and outcomes

  • Cost-benefit analysis

Career Prospects

A Social Policy & Administration degree prepares graduates for careers focused on improving public services, influencing policy, and supporting communities. 

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Career opportunities include:

Government and Public Sector

  • Civil Servant

  • Policy Officer

  • Policy Analyst

  • Local Government Officer

  • Public Affairs Officer

  • Government Research Officer

 

Social Policy and Research

  • Social Researcher

  • Policy Researcher

  • Think Tank Analyst

  • Public Policy Consultant

  • Programme Evaluator

 

Health and Social Care

  • Health Policy Officer

  • NHS Manager

  • Social Care Manager

  • Public Health Officer

  • Community Services Coordinator

 

Housing and Community Development

  • Housing Officer

  • Homelessness Services Coordinator

  • Community Development Officer

  • Regeneration Officer

  • Neighbourhood Services Manager

 

Charity and Non-Profit Sector

  • Charity Manager

  • Programme Officer

  • Advocacy Officer

  • Campaigns Manager

  • Grants and Funding Officer

 

Criminal Justice and Social Welfare

  • Probation Service Officer

  • Youth Justice Worker

  • Rehabilitation Programme Coordinator

  • Welfare Adviser

 

Human Resources and Public Services Management

  • Human Resources Officer

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer

  • Learning and Development Adviser

  • Public Service Manager

 

International Development

  • International Development Officer

  • Humanitarian Programme Officer

  • NGO Policy Adviser

  • Social Development Consultant

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Many graduates continue to Master's degrees in Social Policy, Public Policy, Public Administration, or Social Research, or Social Work qualifications, or Public Health programmes.
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Universities to look for:

  • University of Oxford

  • The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

  • University of Cambridge

  • The University of Edinburgh

  • University of Bristol

  • University College London (UCL)

  • King's College London

  • University of York

  • The University of Manchester

  • University of Leeds

  • University of Birmingham

  • University of Glasgow

  • University of Bath

  • Queen's University Belfast

  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

  • The University of Sheffield

  • Cardiff University

  • University of Sussex

  • The University of Warwick

  • University of Kent

  • University of Southampton

  • University of Nottingham

  • University of Essex

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