Program Overview

Social Policy

Overview

The School for Policy Studies links theory, policy and practice in a multidisciplinary, research-intensive environment. Our research engages with and influences national and international policy. Our policy experts come from a wide variety of backgrounds in social policy research, social work, sociology, poverty, gender violence, disability studies, childhood studies, health and social care, urban studies, economics, psychology, physical activity, nutrition and health sciences, based within seven specialist research centres.

Our research examines policy areas that affect us all in day-to-day life, influences and challenges policies implemented by governments and institutions, and investigates the issues, factors and attitudes underlying the social concerns that make the headlines every day.

The school is an exciting environment for graduate studies; we welcome graduate students from the UK and around the world to join our diverse and highly-rated research team. We particularly welcome applications on topics with direct relevance to national and international policy concerns.

Key Information

• Programme duration: Up to four years full-time; up to eight years part-time.
• Start date: We welcome new PhD students all year round. However, the largest intake is in September each year with a secondary intake in January. We strongly recommend applicants to consider either a September or January start.
• Application deadline: We welcome applications at any time of year; early application is advised.
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: PhD

World-leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• An upper second-class honours degree and a pass at MSc/MA level (or equivalent experience/qualification).
• See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
• Admissions Statement: Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
• Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time: £4,850 per year
• Home: part-time: £2,425 per year
• Overseas: full-time: £21,300 per year
• Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni Discount

• University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and Scholarships

• Applicants may apply for an SWDTP studentship and/or a University of Bristol scholarship. Eligible applicants can also apply for a China Scholarship Council scholarship. Please note that programme application deadlines apply where applicants intend to apply for scholarship funding.
• Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career Prospects

• Studying social policy equips students with a wide range of knowledge and skills across various interests and fields. As a result, studying social policy and developing skills in analysis and research is relevant to work in many different policy settings and subject areas.
• Previous University of Bristol social policy students have gone on to work in research and teaching in higher education, policy-related fields, local government, other public sector bodies and third sector organisations. Careers have included those related to health and welfare, community work, the criminal justice system, higher education, management and consultancy.

Meet Our Supervisors

• The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.
  • Professor David Abbott
  • Professor Isabella Aboderin
  • Dr Nadia Aghtaie
  • Professor Sarah Ayres
  • Dr Oscar Berglund
  • Professor Ailsa Cameron
  • Dr Natasha Carver
  • Dr Rachelle Chadwick
  • Dr Sebnem Eroglu-Hawksworth
  • Dr Eldin Fahmy
  • Dr Sandhya Fuchs
  • Professor Aisha K Gill
  • Dr Dan Godshaw
  • Professor David Gordon
  • Dr Tigist Grieve
  • Dr Julia Gumy
  • Professor Susan Harkness
  • Dr Nasrul Ismail
  • Professor Misa Izuhara
  • Professor Patricia Kennett
  • Dr Samuel Kirwan
  • Professor Gernot Klantschnig
  • Dr Joanna Large
  • Dr Noemi Lendvai-Bainton
  • Dr Bai Li
  • Dr Zahra Mansoor
  • Professor Alex Marsh
  • Dr Sanja Milivojevic
  • Dr Samuel Mohun Himmelweit
  • Dr Natasha Mulvihill
  • Professor Chukwumerije Okereke
  • Mr Francisco Palma Carvajal
  • Professor Christina Pantazis
  • Dr Angeliki Papadaki
  • Dr Marii Paskov
  • Dr Demi Patsios
  • Dr Caryn Peiffer
  • Dr Roxana Pessoa Cavalcanti
  • Dr Vicky Sharley
  • Professor Gabriel Siles-Brugge
  • Ann Singleton
  • Professor Corinne Squire
  • Professor Jo Staines
  • Dr David Sweeting
  • Professor Nick Townsend
  • Dr William Turner
  • Dr Afua Twum-Danso Imoh
  • Dr Trivik Verma
  • Professor Debbie Watson
  • Dr Joe Webb
  • Mrs Dinithi Wijedasa

Research Groups

• The school houses seven specialist research centres:
  • Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences
  • Children and Families Research Centre
  • Centre for Gender and Violence Research
  • Centre for Research in Health and Social Care
  • Centre for the Study of Poverty and Social Justice (including the Townsend Centre for International Poverty Research)
  • Centre for Urban and Public Policy Research
  • Norah Fry Research Centre

How to Apply

• Apply today via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.
• Application deadline: We welcome applications at any time of year; early application is advised.
• Programme application deadlines apply where applicants intend to apply for scholarship funding.
• For China Scholarship Commission funding and South-West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) funding, the programme application deadline is 2 December 2024.
• For University of Bristol scholarship funding, the programme application deadline is 6 January 2025.