Our programme will enable you to understand the causes of social problems and how societies attempt to solve them through the design and implementation of policy and welfare. 

Take today’s headlines - food banks, the ‘crisis’ in the NHS, unaffordable housing, problems with Universal Credit - we see these terms in the news, but what do they actually mean? Why are some members of society faced with these issues whilst others thrive? We explore how these inequalities come to exist and the influences of political and social factors on the development of social policies to maintain the wellbeing of citizens. On this course you will develop an awareness and understanding of key social issues and develop the skills and tools to develop effective policy in order to address them.

Social policy has never been so important to protect the wellbeing of citizens and reduce the social impact of the virus. The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique time of social struggle. This year we will see expounded poverty levels as the economic impact of the crisis takes root. Our already overstretched NHS is being pushed to the limit caring for COVID-19 patients and providing continuing care to patients with existing conditions. Care home and hospices are in crisis as charitable funding is cut and staff shortages increase due to COVID-19. We are likely on the cusp of a mental health crisis, as people struggle to cope with isolation and key workers face burnout. We will experience the impact of this pandemic in our society for years to come. Undoubtedly, it will be those already vulnerable in society that suffer most from the impact of COVID-19 even as some of the systems adapt to provide some kind of security.

Our graduates use their Social Policy degree in different ways. Some enter careers which have a direct relationship to their degree and work within the public services or voluntary sector – for example in social care, housing and public health. Some use their degree as a ‘gateway’ into further training/qualifications including a PGCE (teaching).

Here we don’t just look at yesterday – but tomorrow too. By studying social policy at the University of Salford, students are equipped with theoretical, practical and research skills necessary to tackle social problems and to take these into the world of work.