Department of Social & Policy Sciences undergraduate courses

View the undergraduate courses that are available in the Department of Social & Policy Sciences.

Department of Social & Policy Sciences taught postgraduate studies

Choose from a range of high-quality postgraduate courses that build on our renowned research activities. We offer MSc and MRes degrees.

Department of Social & Policy Sciences postgraduate research

View our MPhil, PhD and professional doctorate courses in the Department of Social & Policy Sciences.

Discovering a placement, winning an award, and securing a graduate job: Claudia’s story

From not knowing what she wanted to do after her Sociology degree, Claudia is ready for the first step in her career after her College of Policing placement.

A life-changing course: Progressing my career and joining WHO

Louisa Ayebare shares her experiences studying MSc Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development, realising her UN dream and being part of an international cohort.

Mastering my development as a public policy leader: Paul’s story

MSc Public Policy graduate Paul talks about how the course helped him to enhance his skills and progress in his career.

Boomer couples with degrees retire with 7x the median wealth of those without formal qualifications

The study highlights that parents' education levels and homeownership are key factors in understanding wealth differences in Baby Boomers and Generation X.

Sustainability Governance of China's Global Infrastructure Investments

Research project awarded to Dr Yixian Sun

Criminologists: Victorian prisons must stay open for now - but a new strategy is needed

Victorian prisons will need to remain in service alongside the development of a clear strategy to define their role, say academics.

NEW RESEARCH: UK Drug Companies Repeatedly Violate their Marketing Code, warns research

New data analysis highlights potential “serious consequences” for patient health and lengthy complaint processing times.

The psychological toll for bereaved families involved in coroners’ inquests - new research

The largest ever study of bereaved people’s experiences of the inquest process in England and Wales has been published by the University of Bath

Dr Kate Woodthorpe and policy engagement

With a focus on end-of-life care, death and dying, and via an IPR sabbatical, Kate's research has generated policy impacts in Government and in Parliament.

Investigate Europe: Drug firms finance Europe’s patient groups with multi-million donations

Dr Piotr Ozieranski comments on a report revealing that European pharmaceutical companies donated over €110 million to patient advocacy groups in 2022

Emotionally challenging research and researcher wellbeing

Writing for THE, Dr Tina Skinner discusses why she started the Researcher Wellbeing Project, which aims to support those doing emotionally challenging research.

The Humberside funeral home incident shows we need a better system for dealing with death

Responding to the shocking Hull Funeral Enquiry, Dr Kate Woodthorpe considers regulation of the sector in her piece for The Conversation.

Dr Diana Teggi wins prestigious British Science Award

The British Science Association has named Dr Diana Teggi as the winner of their British Science Award Lecturer for the Social Sciences.

University of Bath film, ‘Cobalt Rush’, screened at United Nations

Award-winning documentary shown at UN event to expose the ‘invisible’ working conditions in the multi-billion dollar cobalt industry.

Six subjects earn top 100 status in latest World University Rankings

Bath is named one of the world’s best places to study subjects including architecture, development studies and business, retaining a top 10 position for sport

University of Bath success with Future Leaders Fellowships

Two researchers at the University of Bath have been awarded prestigious Future Leaders Fellowships from UKRI for developing talented Early Career Researchers.

New exhibition shares art created in UK’s Victorian prisons

Prof Yvonne Jewkes (SPS) has teamed up with colleagues at the University of Birmingham and the Howard League for Penal Reform on the new exhibition.

NEWS: ‘Places to heal, not to harm’: why brutal prison design kills off hope

In this Guardian Long Read, Prof Yvonne Jewkes explores how thoughtful design can create more humane spaces for prisoners, fostering rehabilitation and hope.