BSc Social Policy with Study Abroad

At Bristol, you won’t just study social policy in the classroom—you’ll experience it in action. This degree is designed to give you hands-on skills and international perspectives that set you apart. From research projects and policy workshops to your year abroad, you’ll learn how to connect theory with practice and gain the confidence to tackle real social challenges. The School of Policy Studies also gives you access to specialist facilities, digital resources, and the opportunity to collaborate with staff and peers on meaningful projects.

And because this is the Study Abroad pathway, you’ll spend a full year at a partner university overseas. This isn’t just travel—it’s an academic and cultural immersion where you’ll broaden your perspective, improve your adaptability, and develop global connections.

Here are some of the practical ways you’ll learn and apply your skills:

• Study Abroad Year – spend your third year studying at a partner institution, experiencing different policy approaches and cultures first-hand.

• Research-led Teaching – work on projects inspired by the School of Policy Studies’ internationally recognised research centres, such as the Centre for Poverty and Social Justice.

• Group Projects & Workshops – collaborate with fellow students to design policy solutions and debate real-world case studies.

• Access to Specialist Resources – make use of the Arts & Social Sciences Library, digital databases, and policy research archives.

• Professional Development – optional internship or volunteering opportunities through the university’s Careers Service and Bristol PLUS Award, helping you apply your learning in professional contexts.

• Guest Lectures & Seminars – engage with visiting experts, NGOs, and policy practitioners who bring current issues directly into your learning.

A Social Policy degree from Bristol doesn’t just give you knowledge—it opens real doors. By combining policy expertise with an international perspective from your year abroad, you’ll be ready to shape change in society, whether that’s through government, charities, research, or international organisations. Graduates leave with the confidence to make a difference, and employers truly value the Bristol name.

Typical career paths you might follow include:

• Policy Analyst or Advisor, helping to shape decisions at the local or national level

• Researcher for a think tank, charity, or international body

• Community Development Officer, supporting projects that improve lives on the ground

• Advocacy or Campaigns Specialist, driving social change in NGOs or charities

And here’s what will help you get there:

• Career support built into your course – in Year 2, you can take a work placement unit where you’ll get practical experience, build your CV, and connect with employers.

• Dedicated support for study abroad – Bristol’s Centre for Study Abroad will guide you in finding the right international experience to build global employability.

• Partnerships that count – the School for Policy Studies links with public, private, and voluntary organisations, giving you opportunities to experience real-world policy work.

• Impressive graduate outcomes – Bristol graduates consistently rank among the most employable in the UK, with salaries well above the national average.

• Reputation that lasts – Bristol’s Social Policy programmes are some of the longest-established in the UK and are respected worldwide, giving your CV extra weight wherever you go.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to take your studies further, you’ll have plenty of options. Many graduates move on to master’s degrees in areas like Public Policy, International Development, or Social Research. Others choose to go deeper with research degrees (MRes or PhD), or add specialist qualifications in fields such as data analysis or evaluation—perfect for anyone aiming for a career at the very top of policy and research.