Enabling Social Change

Program Overview

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Enabling Social Change

Overview

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.

Course Details

• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Duration: One year (full-time), Two years (part-time)
• Next Enrolment: September 2025

Introduction

This course develops an advanced understanding of how change happens, explores the changing zeitgeist, and understands the dynamic nature of social transformation.

You Will:

• Develop an advanced understanding of how change happens, explore the changing zeitgeist, and understand the dynamic nature of social transformation.
• Explore the power of public unrest and state responses to demands for policy change.
• Learn about the forces and actors that shape social change by getting to know the work of public sector organizations, 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, make an impact in the field of social policy, and enhance your research and practice skills.

Modules

Understanding Social Change

This core module seeks to develop an understanding of ‘how change happens’ through campaigning, advocacy, and eventually, policy development/change.

Making Change Happen

In exploring the drivers of social change, this module focuses on developing a typology of change actions with an emphasis on understanding how individuals and organisations enable/make change.

Applied Research for Practice

Applied Research for Practice is a core research methods module for all programmes. It focuses on building sound knowledge, understanding, and experience of social research methods and professional applications.

Social Sciences Postgraduate Dissertation

This 60-credit module will include a range of workshops to support you in developing and delivering a high-quality postgraduate dissertation assessment.

Option Module

You are able to take one optional module from the core modules on the other courses within this suite of postgraduate courses.

Changing Lives: Living with Justice and Injustice

This core module will explore people affected by the criminal justice system to develop an advanced understanding of victims, offenders/perpetrators and families who are impacted by crime.

Supporting Research: Leadership and Impact

This module builds an advanced understanding of both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis and the philosophical traditions they are rooted in.

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.

Assessment

This course is underpinned by applied assessments that are appropriate to each module and relevant to current/future workplaces.

Employment and Stats

Upon graduation, you could explore a variety of job titles and areas, offering a glimpse into your potential career path.

Requirements

Applicant Profile

You will be an adaptable, reflective, and critically aware student who is open to the nuances of sociological discourse, debate, and the political economy.

Standard Entry Requirements

• Undergraduate degree: A lower second-class (2:2) or above in an undergraduate degree is required.
• English Language Requirements: International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 (with no element below 6.0) is proof of this.

Alternative Entry Requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully.

Fees

• Full-time home: £9,100 per year
• Full-time international: £14,000 per year
• Part-time: Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis.

Additional Costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.