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University of Bristol: Policy Research
| Institution | University of Bristol View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences |
| Web | https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate |
| sps-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 0117 954 6785 |
| Study type | Taught |
Summary
Researchers, research managers, policy advisers and service planners are all faced with a growing need for research that is timely and relevant. This programme develops the skills and capacities needed to undertake high-quality social research that speaks to a wide variety of policy contexts.
The programme provides core research training in philosophy and research design in the social sciences, along with introductions to, and further approaches in, quantitative and qualitative methods in the social sciences. It has a particular emphasis on co-produced research involving communities that are often marginalised or excluded from the process.
While the programme primarily focuses on 'research methods', it also has a clear focus on social justice and how research can improve policy and the lives of those it impacts. You can choose an optional unit from a range of policy areas such as child and family welfare, gender and violence, health and social care, poverty and social exclusion, and policy-oriented evaluation. The programme also provides the opportunity to further investigate policy areas of interest through the assignments and dissertation.
We recognise that many of our students will have relevant experience as researchers, service managers/planners or policy advisers, and there will be space for you to reflect on and share your expertise in these fields.
Some units are taught in collaboration with other postgraduate programmes, providing a co-learning environment where you can interact and share insights with students working towards research degrees in social work research and public policy.
MSc
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in a Social Science discipline such as: * Business Administration Please note, we will also consider your application if your degree is not listed above, if you have a Master's degree in Social Work or any professional qualification in Social Work and at least 12 months relevant work experience in a social care role (paid or voluntary). If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: * evidence of significant, relevant work experience (minimum of 12 months; this can be paid, unpaid, full-time or part-time, including internships) in the following sectors/areas: mid- to high-level policy work for local or national government or third sector/voluntary/community-based organisation (Manager, Director, Policy Officer, Researcher, Analyst, Policy Maker, Political/Civil Office); See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/ |
| Location | Clifton Campus Beacon House Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| England | 13400 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 13400 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 13400 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 13400 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 13400 GBP for Year 1 |
| EU | 26000 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 26000 GBP for Year 1 |
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in a Social Science discipline such as: * Business Administration Please note, we will also consider your application if your degree is not listed above, if you have a Master's degree in Social Work or any professional qualification in Social Work and at least 12 months relevant work experience in a social care role (paid or voluntary). If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: * evidence of significant, relevant work experience (minimum of 12 months; this can be paid, unpaid, full-time or part-time, including internships) in the following sectors/areas: mid- to high-level policy work for local or national government or third sector/voluntary/community-based organisation (Manager, Director, Policy Officer, Researcher, Analyst, Policy Maker, Political/Civil Office); See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/ |
| Location | Clifton Campus Beacon House Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| Channel Islands | 6700 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| England | 6700 GBP for Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 6700 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 6700 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 6700 GBP for Year 1 |
Discover the University of Bristol
Founded in 1876, the University of Bristol is one of the UK’s top 10 universities (QS World University Rankings 2026), with a global reputation for world-leading research and academic excellence. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities, Bristol also ranks top five in the UK for research (THE analysis of REF 2021).
With its independent and pioneering spirit, the University has a reputation for doing things differently. Bristol was the UK’s first institute of higher education to admit women on an equal basis with men. In 2019, …
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