BA Social Policy and Human Resource Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Strathclyde

Program Overview

This BA (Hons) at Strathclyde combines the rigorous study of social policy — exploring how societies distribute resources, address inequality, and deliver public services — with practical human resource management skills. It’s a great choice for students who want to engage with real‑world social challenges while developing expertise in managing people and organisations.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In the first year, students get introduced to social policy through modules such as Social Policy & Society in Contemporary Scotland, which examines major social issues like poverty, health, housing, education, and social security, and Private Issues & Public Problems, exploring how private troubles become public policy concerns. Alongside this, they take the HRM core course Managing People, which gives a broad understanding of the employer-employee relationship, organisational structures, and the basics of people management.

Year 2
In year two, the social policy curriculum deepens with classes like Scottish Social Policy since 1845, tracing the historical development of welfare and public services, and Key Concepts in Social Welfare, which tackles ideas such as justice, need, equality, and citizenship. On the HRM side, students study work psychology, applying psychological theories to understand behaviour, motivation, well‑being, decision-making, teams, and trust at work.

Year 3
During year three, students in social policy choose an optional class tailored to the expertise of the faculty — for example, welfare reform or criminology. They also take Comparative Social Policy: Theories, Methods & Analysis, which introduces comparative welfare systems, and study research methodology to prepare for their dissertation. For HRM, students explore Work, Employment & Society, which critically examines contemporary work and employment from sociological perspectives, and Employment Relations, understanding trade unions, collective bargaining, and the dynamics of conflict and cooperation at work.

Year 4
In the final year, social policy students engage with Global Challenges, a core module that addresses major 21st-century issues like migration, inequality, climate change, and international welfare. They also complete an Honours dissertation — an independent research project where they can explore a social policy topic of their choice. On the HRM side, they choose from specialist modules such as Advanced Organisational Behaviour, HRM & Employment Relations in Public Services, or Human Resources in the Global Economy, integrating strategic HRM thinking with global and public-sector contexts.

Focus Areas

Welfare state development, poverty and inequality, social justice, public services, research methods, employment relations, organisational behaviour, workplace psychology, and HR strategy.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to analyse how social policy is made and evolves, apply both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and manage human resources effectively in organisations, understanding recruitment, motivation, conflict, and global HR dynamics.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The HRM component aligns with the core professional practices of HR — including strategic behaviour management, employment relations, organisational development — while the social policy component equips you for policy analysis, public service roles, and non-profit sector careers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Strathclyde is ranked 1st in Scotland for Social Policy (Complete University Guide).
In the UK, it’s 4th for Social Policy according to The Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Graduates often go into public policy, government, think-tanks, third sector organisations, and HR roles in public or private sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Strathclyde, this joint degree is much more than theory — you’ll gain practical exposure to how social systems work, how policies are made, and how organisations manage people. You’ll develop strong research skills, engage with real-world organisations, and build a professional network through various hands-on opportunities.

Here’s how experiential learning works in the program:

Placement Module: In Year 3 (or optionally Year 4), you can take a credit-bearing placement where you apply social policy concepts in a real organisation — for instance, with a charity, think tank, local government body, or other community-focused institution.
Honours Dissertation: In your final year, you’ll complete a 10,000‑word dissertation on a topic of your choosing — this is a major piece of independent research using interviews, focus groups, policy documents, or quantitative data.
Research Methods Training: You will take a module in research methods (qualitative and quantitative) in Year 3 to build strong analytical skills — crucial for both social policy and HR research.
Global Social Policy Module: In Year 4, there’s a core class on global challenges (e.g., migration, climate change, inequality), helping you understand policy in an international context.
Interdisciplinary Learning: Through your social policy modules, you’ll engage with historical, sociological, psychological, and economic perspectives — allowing you to tackle complex social issues from different angles.
HRM Group Projects: Over Years 2 and 3, core HR modules (like “Workplace Behaviour” and “Organisational Psychology”) involve group work, case studies, and collaborative assignments — mirroring real workplace dynamics.
HRM Society: You can join the HRM Society, which is student-run and connects you with alumni, employers, and fellow students — offering talks, networking, and career insight.
Study Abroad: There’s a chance in Year 3 to study abroad for a semester or two, which broadens your understanding of social policy and HR in an international setting.

Facilities & Academic Support

To help you succeed in all this practical learning, Strathclyde provides:

Expert Faculty: Lecturers in social policy and HR are researchers and practitioners — they bring real-world insight into their teaching.
Small Seminars: Many modules are taught in small-group settings, allowing for discussion, debate, and feedback — perfect for refining your ideas and building critical thinking.
Library & Research Resources: Access the university’s extensive library collections, including policy literature, social science databases, and HR research materials.
Careers & Placement Support: The Careers Service helps you identify and secure internships, placements, and work opportunities in social policy organisations or HR departments.
Digital Learning Tools: For HRM coursework and for group project management, you’ll use online platforms to collaborate, share resources, and work flexibly.

Why This Degree Is a Smart Choice

Social Impact + Business Skills: You learn how public service works (through social policy) and how to manage people (through HRM), giving you a rare and powerful combination.
Research Proficiency: With the dissertation and research methods training, you graduate with strong analytical and empirical research skills.
Career Flexibility: Graduates can pursue policy development, government roles, NGOs, HR roles, or public-sector management.
Global Awareness: Through modules on global policy challenges and opportunities to study abroad, you develop a broad international perspective.
Network & Employability: The HRM Society, placement experiences, and faculty connections help you build a professional network early.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme can pursue careers that combine social policy insight with organisational and HR expertise. Typical career paths include policy officer, HR advisor, social services manager, or organisational development officer. Over time, graduates can advance to HR manager, policy consultant, or senior roles in public and third-sector organisations.

Here’s how Strathclyde supports you — and how this degree prepares you for success:

University Support & Employability Services
- Strathclyde’s Careers & Employability Service provides tailored guidance, CV and interview preparation, and access to employer networks across public, private, and third sectors.
- Students have opportunities to undertake work placements or internships, gaining hands-on experience in social policy research, HR departments, or public administration.
- Guest lectures and networking events connect students with practitioners in social policy, HR, and organisational management.
Graduate Employment & Potential Roles
- Social Policy graduates work as policy analysts, social research officers, public sector administrators, and NGO programme coordinators.
- HRM graduates can take roles as HR assistants, recruitment consultants, HR trainees, or administration/management professionals.
- Graduates with both skill sets are well-positioned for roles such as organisational development advisors, employee engagement specialists, or corporate social responsibility officers.
Industry Connections & Accreditation
- The HRM component provides practical knowledge in recruitment, training, conflict management, and employee relations.
- Strathclyde Business School is triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), providing professional credibility in management-related careers.
- The HRM portion is CIPD-accredited, giving professional recognition and improving employability in HR roles.
Long-Term Value
- The combination of social policy and HR equips graduates with a unique skill set to work across public, private, and third-sector organisations.
- Graduates gain analytical, communication, and management skills, enabling adaptability in multiple career paths.
- Placement experience and project work provide practical experience, enhancing employability and building a professional portfolio.
Graduate Outcomes
- Graduates enter roles in government departments, public services, HR departments, NGOs, and policy think tanks.
- The combined expertise in social policy and HR opens pathways to graduate schemes, advisory roles, and leadership positions.

Further Academic Progression:

Graduates can pursue an MSc in Human Resource Management, Public Policy, or Social Policy, depending on career focus.
Advanced programmes such as MSc Strategic HR Management or MSc Public Sector Management allow for specialist roles in government, NGOs, or corporate organisations.
For those interested in research, a PhD in Social Policy, HRM, or Work & Employment Studies opens doors to academia, policy research, and consultancy careers.