Find out more about our flexible undergraduate programmes in applied social sciences, sociology, and social policy which give students the opportunity to study options in a range of key social sciences disciplines (including economics, politics, social statistics, and social work).

With an international reputation for research (our submission was ranked third in the country, with an overall ‘Grade Point Average’ of 3.0), we offer a wide range of MPhil/PhD opportunities in areas such as sociological theory contemporary society; historical aspects of British social policy; contemporary British social policy; and comparative and international social policy.

We offer three MSc programmes that are designed to provide a deeper insight into sociology and social policy. Two of our programmes are ESRC-recognised and can therefore be studied as part of a ‘1+3’ PhD course.

Our research activities cover topics including the study of social change and the lifecourse; poverty, inequality and social safety nets; social cohesion; civil society and community relationships; work and organisations (through the Work Futures Research Centre); history of social policy and social welfare; and new social-science methodologies.