Sociology and Social Policy

Description

New for 2015 (subject to validation)

This course combines an in-depth exploration of contemporary societies with an intellectual and practical engagement with social policy.

Drawing upon sociology's strong focus on changing lives and societies, social policy engages with the ways societies are responding to contemporary challenges, such as new forms of risk, new patterns of inequality, globalisation, transformations in the lifecourse, new types of vulnerability, and the changing meanings of responsibility and public action, all framed by profound shifts from the post-1945 redistributive welfare state to new ways of understanding and achieving social welfare.

The course has a strong focus on practice skills, ranging from research design to data analysis, and is grounded in extensive engagements with partner organisations and networks, from NGOs and social enterprises to local authorities and international agencies.

Why study BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy at Middlesex?

Sociology with Social Policy at Middlesex University draws on unique strengths, in particular the expertise, experience and networks of the , one of the most successful social policy research centres in the United Kingdom.

It combines academic rigour, research design and data analysis with a strong focus on real-world experience, with each year of the programme involving engagement in partner organisations and networks, with field trips and volunteering leading to a third-year work placement.

The programme has a strong international focus, including opportunities for international placements.

Course Highlights

• Research internship opportunities within the Social Policy Research Centre

• Access to NVivo and other specialist qualitative data analysis software packages

• A creative engagement with the social, cultural and political forces shaping social policy

• A commitment to linking theory and practice through field visits, volunteering and placements

• Opportunities to develop key employability skills: an ability to analyse situations, develop options, set directions, engage people and deliver results.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11200 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

What will you study?

As well as a strong grounding in sociology, students benefit from specialist training in research design, data analysis, approaches to programme design and evaluation, combined with a focus on the challenges and possibilities associated with contemporary welfare systems.

Students also have the opportunity to focus on specific areas of social policy such as migration, social change and social enterprise, youth and housing issues, public health and the criminal justice system, where ideas are tested, explored and developed through field visits, volunteering and placements.

What will you gain?

This course is designed to blend theory with practice in a manner designed to equip students with top quality analytical and practical skills. A grounding in contemporary sociology in combination with sites of social policy will enable students to make specific insights into society and develop a range of skills that will stand out in the job market.

Teaching and Learning

The course is taught through lectures, seminars and workshops, and integrates field visits, volunteering and placements, with extensive first-hand experience of working with practitioners in different settings.

The course also attracts world-class scholars and practitioners, who will engage with students on a regular basis.

Assessment

The course involves a range of assessment, reflecting different ways of learning. These include essays and reports, verbal presentations and posters, data analysis using SPSS, analysis of interviews and visual data (film and photography) using nVivo, as well as analysis of large data sets.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

We normally make offers on 260 UCAS tariff points. GCSE English and Maths with a minimum of Grade C is required. BTEC National Diploma/International Baccalaureate/Advanced Progression Diplomas are also accepted. We accept Access to HE Diploma. Applications from mature candidates without formal qualifications are welcome provided they can demonstrate appropriate levels of relevant ability and experience.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above in a recognised overseas qualification. To find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under . For details of other equivalent qualifications that Middlesex accepts see .

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirement for international students is IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components).

Middlesex also offers an (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet our English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Middlesex University.