Social Policy and Social Work

Entry requirements

You will be normally expected to hold an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree, although if you have other relevant experience, you can discuss your options with Professor Christine Skinner.

If you wish to pursue research on a social work topic, you should also have a good background in social work theory and practice. Likewise, if you wish to do research in social policy, you should have a firm background in the subject.

Applicants are expected to have a good grounding in research methods.

Months of entry

January, April, July, October

Course content

Our PhD/MPhil programme is supported by a commitment to an international standard of research. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment, Social Policy and Social Work at York was ranked third overall for research quality in the UK and equal first for its impact.

You will be part of a Graduate School with a wide range of backgrounds from across the globe, making our Department one of the most academically stimulating to study in, and you will have the opportunity to participate in seminars to explore ideas with other Graduate School students and researchers. Furthermore, as part of the White Rose Doctoral Training Centre you will have access to high quality training and research networks.

You may be eligible to apply for a scholarship to fund your PhD. Any such scholarships will be advertised here and on the @SPSW Twitter feed.

In the last two years we have been very successful and won seven scholarships for our PhD applicants from the White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership (WR DTP). Please visit the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership for more information.

We are able to offer supervision in a wide range of areas largely focused around the following topics:

• Childhood
• Youth
• Family
• Housing
• Welfare and poverty
• Mental health
• Comparative & global social policy
• Health and social care
• Crime.

Information for international students

International students: if English is not your first language you should also read the English Language requirements for postgraduate study.