BA in Social Policy and Sociology
Queen's University Belfast - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 18,800 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* England, Scotland or Wales: £9,250 | Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: £4,710 | EU Other and International: £18,800
Introduction
Social Policy students learn how to tackle major policy problems. They do this by applying core concepts from social science to intractable social problems such as gender inequality, elder care, children's rights and climate change. As an applied and critical social science, you will gain knowledge and understanding of contemporary government policies and consider how we can achieve improvements.
Sociology is a scientific discipline concerned with the explanation of social life and human behaviour of all kinds. It equips students with the skills to understand the breadth of social practice, ranging from the global (including power and politics, conflict and peace processes, security, the digital world, climate change, racism and social justice) to individual experiences (such as the body, intimacy, emotions, identity, beliefs and mental health). Through theoretical tools and methodological techniques, Sociology at Queen’s provides students with a unique way of interacting with the world as critical and engaged citizens.
Drawing on multidisciplinary ideas from politics, sociology, economics and law, this course helps create highly relevant and versatile graduates with the ability to enter employment at local, national and international levels.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Social Policy and Sociology is taught by a group of internationally recognised researchers who specialise in areas such as criminal justice policy, prisons, community sanctions, drug use, youth justice, conflict, social justice, gender inequality, population change and human rights.
Students in the School are educated in a dynamic academic environment by award-winning teaching staff, and in a recent government-sponsored review of research, staff in the School achieved 'world-leading' and 'international excellence' status for the high quality of their research work.
Global Opportunities
- Students can spend time studying in one of our linked Universities in Europe. There is also the opportunity to study or work abroad, supported by schemes, such as Erasmus and Study USA.
World Class Facilities
- The programme is taught on Queen’s historic campus in the heart of Belfast, which has been ranked one of the most affordable Universities in the UK.
Student Experience
We offer a high-quality, supportive, student-centred learning experience in a top Russell Group University, as evidenced by our excellent National Student Survey student satisfaction rates. Students can expect personal attention as classes are smaller when you take joint honours Social Policy with Criminology or Sociology.
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Admissions
Curriculum
The degree concentrates overall on policy in the UK and Ireland but also takes a comparative perspective that explores, where appropriate, how other nations provide public services.
All of the optional modules are taught by experts in the area who have published textbooks and research articles on the topic at hand.
Stage 1 Core Modules
- Introducing Social Policy
- Rethinking Society
- Themes and Issues in Social Policy
- Digital Society
- The Sociological Imagination
Stage 1 Optional Modules
- Introducing Criminology
- Visualising the Social World
Stage 2 Core Modules
- Welfare in Theory and Practice
- The Power of Social Theory
- Qualitative Research Skills
- Quantitative Research Skills
Stage 2 Optional Modules
- Social Inequalities and Diversity
- Questions for an Ageing World
- Theory Counts
Stage 3 Core Modules
- Policy Briefing Paper
- Gender, Family and Social Policy
- Disability and Society
Stage 3 Optional Modules
- Contemporary Irish Society
- Religion: Death or Revival
- The Sociology of Conflict and Revolution
- Modern Families, Intimate and Personal Relationships
- Norms and Social Change
- Emotion, Power, Politics
- Modelling the Social World
- Social Identity: Difference and Inequalities
- The cultural politics of memory from a global perspective
The Optional Quantitative Methods Exit Pathway
Students who wish to benefit from specialist training in quantitative research can undertake a series of dedicated social science research modules over the course of their degree studies. Successful completion of 80 CATS credits of advanced quantitative research training (four modules) in level 2 and level 3 will receive the enhancement of BSc “with Quantitative Methods” added to the name of the degree awarded.
What else will you do?
Students will receive detailed instructions on assignments in tutorials or in one-to-one meetings with tutors and lecturers.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Social Policy and Sociology graduates are ideally placed for work in a range of occupations, including the civil service, public services, policy analysis, media, research, teaching, business, the voluntary sector, commerce, marketing and management. Some graduates build on the degree by undertaking postgraduate training in fields such as social work, law, social science research and teaching. Tailored careers advice and study guide is available to all students throughout their time at Queen’s.
Studying for a Social Policy/Sociology degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international), and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline.
The diversity of interests and topics covered in the discipline, plus the wide range of skills it equips you with, means that our students enter a wide range of careers upon graduation. These include the public sector (e.g. social services, education, criminal justice, social work), private sector (e.g. market research, policy analysis, human resources), and third sector (e.g. policy analyst, researcher, youth support worker, charity fundraiser). A number of our students also go on to postgraduate study on a full or part-time basis.
Employment after the Course
Social policy students have gone on to work for Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, the civil service, and charities such as the Peter McVerry Trust and Age NI. Many go on to further study social policy at the master and PhD levels.
Employment Links
The following is a list of some of the employers that have attracted graduates from the School in recent years:
- Northern Ireland Civil Service
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive
- National Health Service
- Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
- PWC
- Ulster Bank
- Commission for Victims and Survivors NI
- Santander
- Belfast City Council
- Ipsos Mori
- South Eastern Library Board
- REED
- University of Ulster
- Queen’s University Belfast