Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, School for Policy Studies. This Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree is designed for students interested in using numbers and data to understand social policy issues. About two-thirds of your studies will follow the single honours Social Policy course, focusing on core concepts such as inequality, risk, need, and wellbeing, exploring them within a global context using social, political, and economic theory. The remaining third provides interdisciplinary training in quantitative research methods, teaching practical and analytical skills to collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative data to address social questions. No prior knowledge of statistical techniques is required. This enhanced quantitative training, part of the national Q-Step initiative, significantly boosts career prospects in data-driven fields.

Graduates with strong quantitative skills are highly sought after across diverse sectors. This degree provides a clear signal to employers about your analytical and data expertise, enhancing employability in areas where data production and analysis are crucial. Potential career paths include: Social Researcher, Data Analyst, Policy Analyst/Officer (local or national government, Civil Service Fast Stream), Market Researcher, Business Analyst, Consultant, roles in statistics, finance, journalism (especially data journalism), charity and NGO work (e.g., impact evaluation), public health research, think tanks. The degree also provides a strong platform for postgraduate study in social science research methods, data science, social policy, or related fields.

The University of Bristol is a member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group, signifying its commitment to world-class research and teaching. It has a great reputation with employers in the UK, indicated by being the 5th most targeted university by top UK employers (High Fliers 2024). The School for Policy Studies is highly ranked (e.g., in the UK's top 5 for Social Policy and Administration, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024), with 98% of its research classed as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (REF 2021). Bristol is southwest England's largest city and is known as a tech and startup hub, offering a vibrant and dynamic environment for students and professionals. The program is part of the national Q-Step initiative, specifically designed to enhance quantitative social science skills, providing valuable practical training in data analysis and opportunities for paid internships/work placements. You will learn from internationally-renowned academics whose research, often involving quantitative methods, directly informs their teaching.