Social Policy

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a second class honours degree or better in Social Sciences, Humanities, Law or a cognate discipline from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard;

In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Social Policy master’s programme at Ulster offers students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of contemporary social policy and its relevance to major societal challenges such as inequality, social justice, and welfare reform from both local and global perspectives.

The course provides high-quality training in social research methods, policy analysis, and effective dissemination. Students will learn how to apply key theoretical frameworks and concepts to real-life policy problems across a range of contexts, including within the UK’s devolved administrations and post-conflict societies.

Teaching is delivered by a team of experienced lecturers and internationally recognised researchers, including Alexandra Chapman, Ann Marie Gray, Fiona Bloomer, Johanne Devlin Trew, Julie Harris, Máire Braniff, and Volkan Yilmaz. Please note that the University reserves the right to make changes to the teaching team for the MSc Social Policy. While we strive to maintain consistency, changes may occur due to circumstances beyond our control, such as staff research commitments, sabbaticals, or leave.

As a student in the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, you will also benefit from the School’s vibrant research culture, including access to the work of specialist centres such as ARK – a leading resource for social and public policy and social research in Northern Ireland.

Information for international students

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.