Social Policy

Food banks, zero hours contracts, unaffordable housing. We see these terms in the news, but what do they actually mean? A Social Policy degree is ideal for students who want to challenge the status quo and 'make important things happen'.

At Birmingham, we want to study the social world but we also want to change it. Social Policy is a subject which speaks to that desire to make change to the world in which we live. Being trained in Social Policy at Birmingham will enable you to understand the nature of social issues in the UK and beyond – issues such as homelessness, poverty and health inequality. It will encourage you to think through both the causes and consequences of social problems, and to think about possible solutions to the challenges facing society today.

Our BA Social Policy degree will enable you to understand the nature of social issues in the UK and beyond. It will encourage you to not only develop an understanding of contemporary social issues, but investigate potential solutions and how to promote change to tackle social problems. Unique to Birmingham, our Social Policy degree provides the opportunity to undertake a final year work placement via the ‘Professional Development’ module.

You will study in one of the most attractive and heritage-rich campuses in the country only a few minutes from the centre of Birmingham. We are ranked 8th for Social Policy in the Complete University Guide league table for 2025, and the number one university targeted by top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2024).