MPhil Social Policy

University of Essex

Our MPhil in Social Policy offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of social contexts. You may be interested in the questions around the development and implementation of social policy, in asking questions about why some policies work (and others do not) or in studying the relationships between different groups of people in the policy process, but whatever your specific research interests we are likely to have a supervisor with the experience to support you in this process. You will be offered opportunities to access our Masters level research methods modules to provide a sound foundation of specific research knowledge and skills. In addition, you will have access to the University’s Proficio research training scheme which allows you to choose training programmes that meet the requirements of your own research topics and methodologies.Our School of Health and Social Care offers a multidisciplinary environment with an excellent reputation for research and teaching.A unique feature of our School is that many of our staff work with local National Health Service (NHS) Trusts and other local agencies, which enhances our grasp of the contemporary links between academic research, the major issues of the day and practice.We have research interest groups in ‘Developing Professional Practice’ and ‘Applied Health Research’, and host the NIHR Research Design Service for the East of England.Our Graduates have gone on to take up posts in both clinical and management positions in Trusts, hospitals and care organisations as well as in local and county councils.