Social Policy

Entry requirements

Entry to our research programmes usually requires a Honours degree with a first or 2.1 classification, or the equivalent if you have been educated outside the UK.

Course start dates are either September or January but applications can be considered for any month.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Please note, all course information including entry requirements relates to the 2022/23 academic year.

Research in Social Policy at Keele extends across the life course, from early childhood to older age. There is a particular focus on inter-disciplinary approaches to understanding major issues affecting society, locating these in the context of the economic and social changes associated with globalization.

Research students in Social Policy have dedicated office space in the Moser Building where the social science research institutes are located. This is the site of a developing community of postgraduate scholars and research staff. Research training and courses to enhance the employability skills of our research students are provided by the Graduate school and students are encouraged to participate in these.

Postgraduate researchers have access to staff with a wide range of interests in the field of social policy, stretching from traditional concerns associated with poverty and inequality, to issues relating to urban regeneration and community development. Emphasis is placed upon a diversity of methodological procedures and user involvement in research. Research is currently supported through the Economic and Social Research Council, the Medical Research Council and some of the major charities. There is a particular interest in inter-disciplinary research linking social science with the humanities, health sciences and natural sciences. There is a strong community of PhD researchers with regular seminars and workshops, supported by leading international scholars in social research.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Ageing
• Children and young people
• Communities and regeneration
• Family policy
• Inter-professional education
• Poverty, inequalities and social exclusion
• User involvement in research

Fees and funding

For information related to fees and funding, please visit the individual course page on the Keele University website.