Course summary
This course offers an innovative approach to understanding social policy and social change, drawing on the strengths of the social sciences. Staff engaged in research on poverty, inequality, and exploitation contribute to its development. It is designed for professionals in the public and third sectors as well as graduates of social science and related fields. The programme will help you develop an advanced understanding of how social change occurs, exploring the evolving zeitgeist and the dynamic nature of social transformation. You’ll investigate the impact of public unrest and state responses to demands for policy change. You will also learn about the forces and actors that drive social change, including public sector organisations, community groups, think tanks, political parties, and activist groups. Real-life examples of social change, both from the UK and internationally, will be examined, covering topics such as deep-rooted social inequality, universal basic income, food poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and charity/aid issues. Additionally, the course will provide you with insight into theories of social change and their relevance to current debates on politics, populism, globalisation, and neoliberalism. Practical skills will be developed to help you apply your knowledge effectively in the field of social policy, enhancing your research and practice skills. Structured around three core modules, this course is a key component of a suite of social science postgraduate programmes aimed at preparing you to be a critical and analytical actor in an evolving social world.
Modules
- Programme modules: Understanding Social Change, Making Change Happen, Applied Research for Practice, Social Sciences Postgraduate Dissertation.
- Optional module: You can choose one optional module from the core modules of other postgraduate courses within this suite, including Changing Lives: Living with Justice and Injustice, and Supporting Research: Leadership and Impact.
Assessment method
This course uses applied assessments relevant to each module and future workplaces. Each module includes formative assessments in workshops and two summative assessments. Examples are policy briefs, portfolios with various elements, fully costed research proposals, research reports, and formal and informal presentations. The final assessment is either a 12,000-word dissertation or a 10,000-word applied or work-based project. Support will be provided to help you choose your assessment pathway.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
Entry requirements
- A lower second-class (2:2) or above in an undergraduate degree is required. - 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. We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully. The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Salford
The Crescent
Salford
M5 4WT