Program Overview

Overview of the University of Kent

The University of Kent is a leading research university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence and is known for its research-led teaching and innovative approaches to learning.

Postgraduate Programs

The University of Kent offers a variety of postgraduate programs, including master's and doctoral degrees. These programs are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen field, as well as the opportunity to conduct original research and contribute to the development of new ideas and perspectives.

Social Policy MA, PhD

The Social Policy MA, PhD program is a research-based program that allows students to explore the social, economic, and political factors that shape social policy and welfare systems. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the complex issues and challenges that face social policy makers and practitioners, as well as the skills and knowledge needed to develop effective solutions to these challenges.

Key Information

• Study mode: Full-time or part-time
• Duration: MA 1 year full-time, PhD 3 years full-time
• Start date: MA: September, PhD: September, January
• Location: Canterbury

Entry Requirements

• A good honours degree in the social sciences, an interest in the chosen topic area, and a clear idea of the proposed thesis topic.
• In the case of research in health services and personal social services, candidates with professional qualifications alone and/or relevant experience in the health service will also be considered.
• All applicants are considered on an individual basis, and additional qualifications, professional qualifications, and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Fees and Funding

• The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
  • Social Policy - MA at Canterbury: £5,006 (UK), £19,300 (EU), £19,300 (International)
  • Social Policy - PhD at Canterbury: £2,503 (UK), £9,650 (EU), £9,650 (International)
• For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see the Student Finance Guide.
• Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of the course.

Research Areas

The School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research has a number of research areas, including:

• Globalisation
• The Individual and the Social
• Risk and Society
• Race, Ethnicity and Migration
• The Analysis of Social Movements
• Philanthropy, Humanitarianism and Social Justice
• Sociology of the Body
• Crime, Control and Culture
• Sociological Theory and the Culture of Modernity
• Gender
• Media
• Visual Sociology
• Work, Employment and Economic Life
• Cross-national and European Social Policy

Research Centres

The School is home to a number of research centres, including:

• Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS)
• Centre for the Study of Social and Political Movements
• Kent Crime and Justice Centre (KCJC)
• Centre for Child Protection
• Personal Social Services Research Unit
• Tizard Centre
• Centre for Philanthropy

Staff Research Interests

The academic staff in the School have a wide range of research interests, including:

• Disability, the workplace, inequality, the benefits system, addictions policy, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Citizenship, legal advice, aid and advocacy, volunteering, civil society, and technology
• Risk, risk communication, and risk management
• Health services research, health policy, and health systems
• Social movements, social change, and social justice
• Philanthropy, humanitarianism, and social justice
• Sociology of the body, embodiment, and bodily practices
• Crime, control, and culture
• Sociological theory and the culture of modernity
• Gender, sexuality, and feminist theory
• Media, communication, and cultural studies
• Visual sociology and visual methods
• Work, employment, and economic life
• Cross-national and European social policy

Career Support

The University of Kent provides a range of career support services to help students achieve their career goals. These services include:

• Career advice and guidance
• Job search support
• CV and application support
• Interview preparation and practice
• Networking opportunities
• Career development workshops and events

Accommodation

The University of Kent offers a range of accommodation options for students, including:

• Halls of residence
• Student villages
• Shared houses and flats
• Private accommodation

Fees and Funding

The University of Kent offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to help students fund their studies. These include:

• University scholarships
• Research council scholarships
• International scholarships
• Alumni scholarships
• Subject-specific scholarships

Research Excellence

The University of Kent is a leading research university, with a strong reputation for research excellence. The university's research is focused on a number of key areas, including:

• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Natural sciences
• Engineering and technology
• Health and medicine

Student Experience

The University of Kent offers a range of student experience activities and events, including:

• Student clubs and societies
• Sports and fitness activities
• Cultural events and performances
• Volunteering and community engagement opportunities
• Student support services

About the University

The University of Kent is a public research university located in Kent, England. The university was founded in 1965 and has since become one of the leading universities in the UK. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, research-led teaching, and innovative approaches to learning. The university is home to a diverse community of students and staff from around the world, and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a variety of subjects.

Additional Information

• The University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in its publicity materials is fair and accurate and to provide educational services as described.
• However, the courses, services, and other matters may be subject to change.
• For more information, see the university's terms and conditions.
• Where fees are regulated (such as by the Department for Education or Research Council UK) permitted increases are normally inflationary and the University therefore reserves the right to increase tuition fees by inflation (RPI excluding mortgage interest payments) as permitted by law or Government policy in the second and subsequent years of the course.
• If the University intends to exercise this right to increase tuition fees, it will let students know by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which it intends to exercise that right.
• If, in the future, the increases to regulated fees permitted by law or government policy exceed the rate of inflation, the University reserves the right to increase fees to the maximum permitted level.
• If the University intends to exercise this extended right to increase tuition fees, it will let students know by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which it intends to exercise that right.