Queen's University Belfast

Source: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/education-studies-social-policy-ba-xl24/ Parent: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/

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Undergraduate 2027

Undergraduate 2025

BA | Undergraduate

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Entry year : Academic Year 2027/28

Entry requirements : BBB

Attendance : 3 years (Full-time) \

UCAS Code : XL24

Overview
Course content
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Education Studies and Social Policy explores both the multi-disciplinary field of education and social policy. The course structure offers a broad and balanced curriculum of research-informed modules which critically examine key topics and themes relevant to education, and the patterns of social life and social change more broadly. From concepts and issues to policy and practice, students will examine the fascinating landscape of these two subjects through local and global lenses. Students will develop advanced skills in making use of theoretical and methodological tools to ask questions that matter. \ \ Designed by leading experts at Queen’s, the course structure is firmly rooted in the disciplines of Education and Social Policy and provides an insightful student experience and a qualification that will help graduates to shape a better tomorrow and open doors to influential career roles and destinations in the education and policy sectors – in governments, international agencies, charities, public sector organisations, schools, and the private sector. \ \ The degree places a strong emphasis on developing students to become critical thinkers who can engage with theoretical knowledge and research evidence from education and sociology, with relevance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This includes the development of discipline-specific skills such as the ability to draw on a range of primary and secondary sources, and to analyse data.

Social Policy at Queen’s is ranked 12th in the UK for our research (Times Higher Education REF21) and over 88% of our research was judged to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

Immerse yourself in a new culture and boost your CV as you explore the world through Queen’s life-changing travel opportunities to go abroad for a summer, a semester or a year, with various funding options to help support travel costs. \ \ The School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work (SSESW) has exchange agreements with many universities across Europe. Whether you fancy Finland, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Spain or Canada, we want to support your ambitions to study abroad.

World Class Facilities

Queen’s is an historic campus university in the heart of Belfast. which is ranked one of the most affordable universities in the UK. The McClay Library is a world-leading purpose-built facility which blends the traditional and the modern. Students of Education Studies and Social Policy benefit from a dedicated subject librarian who curates and manages an extensive collection of up-to-date physical and digital materials.

Internationally Renowned Experts

As a research-intensive Russell Group University, Queen’s provides high-quality learning and teaching linked to the latest insights and innovations. Education Studies and Social Policy are taught by internationally recognised senior researchers with expertise related to the modules they develop and teach. Staff regularly deliver talks at leading universities and conferences around the world and have been awarded prestigious prizes and recognitions such as the Best of UNICEF Research Award, while several colleagues have been appointed as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.

The Education discipline at Queen’s has a world-leading reputation in Research and Teaching and is home to leading experts including the UNESCO Chair on Globalising a Shared Education Model for Improving Intergroup Relations in Divided Societies. Our experts contribute across a range of Education and Education-related areas within and beyond academia. The Social Policy academics at Queen’s are directly involved in data collection and analysis for policy making in a number of key areas, including Good Relations, Racial Equality, Tackling Paramilitarism, Ending Violence against Women and Girls, Shared Education and Children’s Rights. Students can benefit from events and activities organised by the interdisciplinary Centre for Children’s Rights and ARK, Northern Ireland’s Social Policy Hub.

Student Experience

The Education Studies and Social Policy programme provides opportunities to develop substantive knowledge and research skills through collaborations with external partners in education and education-related organisations. Student activities include practice-based observations, field trips, summer work placements, guest lectures and workshops.\ \ To support students throughout their studies, each student is assigned a personal tutor for one-to-one staff support and mentoring. The School of SSESW also offers a peer-mentoring scheme for Education Studies and Social Policy students, with the support of staff and the Centre for Educational Development.

Further Study Opportunities

There is a broad range of further study options available to our graduates. Within the School, we offer a great programme of study at Masters level. These courses include MEd, MSc and MRes programmes with specialisms in Education or Social Sciences, as well as several interdisciplinary courses such as the MSc in Children’s Rights and the MRes Social Sciences. These programmes offer opportunities to develop advanced skills in research methods, as well as knowledge of substantive topics and theoretical debates.

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[##### Take a Virtual Tour of Campus

Explore our immersive 360 degree tours of campus buildings, facilities, accommodation and Belfast city.](https://virtualexperience.qub.ac.uk/)

[##### Undergraduate Events

Join us for an insight into life at Queen's and advice on your journey to university.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/events/)

[##### Your Future Career

Queen’s is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/careers-and-employability/)

[##### Student Accommodation

The most affordable, purpose-built student accommodation in Belfast.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/accommodation/)

Course location

Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

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