MSc Social Policy (Research)

The MSc Social Policy (Research) programme is designed to equip research students with a sound knowledge of different research methods used in the social sciences and how these are used in social policy. The programme consists of four course units. Two are compulsory: Social Policy Research and Foundations of Social Research. In addition, there is a compulsory dissertation of 10,000 words, which generally forms the basis of the research to be undertaken as part of the MPhil/PhD.

To complete the programme, one course unit from amongst those offered in the Department is taken to enable students to learn more about subjects related to their own particular research interests.

The MSc Social Policy (Research) programme is also available to other students wishing to learn more about research methods used in the social sciences and in social policy generally. A good upper second honours degree (in any subject) is normally required. A social science background and/or work experience in the field of social policy are advantages but not essential.

 

Please refer to the Department Index of courses| for information about course suspension, withdrawal and capping (limited places) in 2012/13 as it becomes available.

Compulsory courses

• Foundations of Social Research 1 or Foundations of Social Research 2
• Social Policy Research
• Dissertation

Options

Students choose courses equivalent to one full unit. The options list is wide so as to permit students to choose an option that fits with the proposed subject of their dissertation. Students without a background in social policy are strongly encouraged to take the 'core' half unit: Social Policy: Goals and Issues in the Michaelmas term.

The following courses may be taken:

(* half unit)

• Criminal Justice Policy
• The Governance of Welfare: The Nation State and the European Union*
• Contemporary Issues in European Social Policy*
• Health Economics*
• Social Security Policies*
• Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy*
• Social Exclusion, Inequality and the 'Underclass' Debate*
• Foundations of Health Policy*
• Urbanisation and Social Policy in the Global South*
• Behavioural Public Policy*
• International Housing and Human Settlements*
• Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities*
• Planning for Population and Development*
• Social Policy: Goals and Issues*
• Demography of the Developing World*
• Social and Political Aspects of Regional and Urban Planning*
• Gender and Social Policy: Theory and Practice*
• Gender and European Welfare States*
• Ethnicity, Race and Social Policy*
• Education Policy, Reform and Financing*
• Basic Education and Social Development*
• Globalisation and Social Policy*
• Social Policy: Organisation and Innovation*
• Measuring Health System Performance*
• Social Rights and Human Welfare*
• Rural Development and Social Policy*
• The Third Sector*
• The Economics of European Social Policy*
• Welfare Analysis and Measurement
• Politics of Social Policy: Welfare and Work in Comparative Perspective*
• Behaviour, Happiness and Public Policy *
• Doing Ethnography*
• Any other courses subject to the approval of the programme director