This course adopts an innovative approach to examining the changing dynamics of social policy and social change. It draws on the strengths of the social sciences, where staff are engaged in researching issues of poverty, inequality, and exploitation. It is designed to appeal to professionals in public sector and third sector roles as well as graduates of social science and related programmes.

You will:

• Develop an advanced understanding of how change happens, exploring the changing zeitgeist, and understanding the dynamic nature of social transformation.
• Explore the power of public unrest and state responses to the demands for policy change.
• Learn about the forces and actors that shape social change, by getting to know the work of public sector organisations (including universities), community groups, think tanks, political parties, and lobby/campaign/activist groups.
• Examine real-life examples of social change from the UK and internationally, including topics such as deep-rooted social inequality, universal basic income, (food) poverty, (un)employment, homelessness, and issues of charity/aid.
• Gain a deep understanding of theories of social change, and how they relate to the current debates on politics, populism, globalisation, and neoliberalism.
• Develop practical skills that will help you apply your knowledge and make an impact in the field of social policy and enhance your research and practice skills.

All about the course

This course sits as a key component within a suite of social science postgraduate courses aimed at developing you into a critical and analytical actor within an evolving social world. The course is split into three core modules that address the essential responsiveness of enabling social change.

Each module is worth 30 credits, and you can study full-time (one year) or part-time (two years), with a dissertation module worth 60 credits. A Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) is made up of 60 credits, and a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) is made up of 120 credits. The full master's (MSc) is made up of 180 credits.

What will I be doing?

Teaching

This course is taught by an interdisciplinary teaching team who bring specific expertise to module workshops. Teaching colleagues have extensive experience in developing academic and applied thinking in their subject areas. They have experience advising organisations, leading policy development, and conducting research across a range of communities.

Assessment

This course is underpinned by applied assessments that are appropriate to each module and relevant to current/future workplaces. Each module will include a range of formative assessment activities within workshops to test your skills. There will be two final summative assessments on each module that will give you a final overall module grade.