Curious about studying Social Policy MAat University of Lancashire? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
Preston Campus
Full Time
Sep 2026
1 Year
Our MA in Social Policy is a modular course focusing on some of the most important issues of a world that is characterised by profound cultural, demographic, economic, political and technological change. This course is ideal for anyone interested in the impact of social policy on people’s lives. This course is being reapproved under the University’s normal cycle of review. As such, the course structure and content may be changed to enable the University to deliver a better quality of educational experience to students. Social policy issues are now at the centre of political debate in Britain and much of the industrialised world. This intellectually challenging course focuses on the most important theoretical perspectives at the cutting-edge of the subject. Newly-introduced modules include a work placement, where you’ll experience social policy in practice, or you can study an area of your current professional role that interests you. As well as looking at the latest issues around welfare provision you’ll explore what’s historically shaped social policy provision in the UK. You’ll also examine the principles, political tensions and ethical dilemmas involved in planning and organising a piece of social research.
We aim to enable you to understand the contexts and concepts for studies and debates on poverty and social inequality. You will be able to develop your analytical and interpretative skills through examining primary source material and demonstrate an understanding of how different conceptualisations and definitions of poverty have developed and evolved.
This module focuses on the dynamics of social change. It explores welfare models and global case studies, as well as social service investigations, dynamics of change, and the status of social groups. You will study economic, social, and political approaches and apply them to modern issues in different countries. You will gain a systematic understanding of social policy and it's current developments.
The aim of this module is for you to be able to demonstrate an understanding of postmodernist thinking about social policy, engage in an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of this work and show an understanding of the significance of this work for the cultural, economic, political and social changes associated with currently existing capitalism.
The module introduces you to some of the key concepts, techniques and theories employed in developing social policy systems and analysis. It applies this knowledge to specific social policy issues, and explores some of the key dilemmas and challenges facing the welfare state.
We aim with this module to provide you with an opportunity to undertake an in depth, critical exploration and analysis of an area you are interested in that is appropriate for your programme of study.
This module provides an overview of the key issues and debates associated with practice-based research. The module considers qualitative and quantitative approaches. It consolidates and extends your knowledge of the research process. You'll also develop the capacity to act as independent and critical thinkers.
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