Social Policy and Social Research

Social policy and social research form a pairing that connects the study of how societies address human needs with the methods used to understand whether those efforts actually work. Social policy examines the design and implementation of welfare systems, public services and interventions in areas such as health, housing, education, poverty and inequality. Social research provides the empirical tools, both quantitative and qualitative, that allow analysts to gather evidence, test assumptions and evaluate outcomes.

Together, they offer a rigorous framework for understanding the society we live in and the choices made in our name.

This part-time programme at the University of Bedfordshire allows you to study around other commitments, making it well suited to people who are already working in public services, the voluntary sector or research roles and wish to deepen their understanding. You will explore the development of welfare states and the political and economic forces that shape social policy, while also developing practical skills in research design, data collection and analysis. You will learn to engage critically with evidence, to question how policy problems are framed and to assess the effects of policy decisions on different groups in society.

The combination of social policy knowledge and research competence is genuinely useful across a wide range of professional contexts. Those working in local or national government, NHS commissioning, charities, housing associations, community organisations and think tanks regularly need to design research, interpret data and connect evidence to policy decisions.

Graduates from social policy and social research programmes pursue careers in policy analysis and development, public service management, research and evaluation, advocacy, social work and community development. The research skills developed through the programme are also a strong foundation for postgraduate study, including master's degrees and doctoral research in social policy, sociology, public health or related fields.