Explore Sociology, Criminology and Social Policy at Salford
Social Sciences subjects include Sociology, Criminology and Social Policy. These subjects provide students with an academic understanding of society, the social world, crime and criminal justice.
Example career pathways of Social Sciences graduates include Youth Worker, Charity Officer, Housing Manager, Government Advisor Worker, Social Researcher, Probation Officer, Community Development Worker, Teacher, Pastoral Care Worker, Policy Officer. Many people also use a degree in a Social Sciences subject to start their journey into professions such as Social Work, Teaching, Policing and Counselling.
Start your study journey
Register for our next Open Day to learn more about studying Social Sciences and speak to the course team.
Sociology
This year, we have already witnessed a number of major global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and social movements such as the Black Lives Matter protests, that will impact on the way our societies work and develop going forward. As a Sociology student, you will explore the impact of such major events and how they can be the catalysts for major societal change. You will also study human connections and relationships, and how these connections, as well as social structures, such as social class, race and gender, impact upon behaviour.
Undergraduate
Criminology
Criminology is concerned with what behaviour is defined as crime and who has the power to define what constitutes crime. Criminologists are also interested in the causes and prevention of deviant behaviour and how the criminal justice system can better respond when it occurs. The recent death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer has drawn attention (on a global scale) to the relationship between inequalities and criminal justice – relationships Criminology is ideally placed to answer. You can study single-honours Criminology here with us at Salford or you can study Criminology alongside: Sociology, Counselling or Security.
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Social Policy
The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique time of social struggle, meaning that social policy has never been more important. Those working in social policy are at the forefront of supporting those affected, helping to protect their wellbeing and reduce the social impact of coronavirus. As a student, you will explore the causes of social problems and how societies attempt to solve them through the design and implementation of policy and welfare.
Undergraduate
What Can We Offer You?
We focus on providing you with industry experience and will ensure you benefit from these links, whether that be through placement opportunities, field trips, conference opportunities, surgeries, guest speakers and workshops.
You will be able to tailor your learning with a work placement, optional modules or independent research projects.
Our BSc (Hons) Social Policy course is in the Guardian University Guide top 20 for Social Policy (2021).
Our BSc (Hons) Criminology & Sociology course achieved a 100% overall student satisfaction rate in 2020 (University of Salford analysis of unpublished NSS 2020 data).
Our undergraduate Criminology and Sociology courses offer the opportunity to study a module based inside a local prison.
We are extremely proud of our strong industry links with local government, social care providers, prisons, courts, charities, community development organisations and youth organisations.
"As an international student, I was also really impressed with the way staff on the programme were happy to talk me through my options and reassure me about life as an undergraduate in Manchester and Salford."
I’m a born and raised British Virgin Islander where the weather doesn’t drop lower than 25°. Moving 4,072 miles away from home was not the easiest transition. Coming to Manchester was a big step for me and part of a journey to discovering who I am and where I want to be in the next decade.
Even though I was offered several places at different universities, I chose the BSc Social Policy at the University of Salford because of great recommendations from my peers. I was also really impressed with the way staff on the programme were happy to talk me through my options and reassure me about life as an undergraduate in Manchester and Salford. This built a solid foundation for my new-found, cross-continent relationship. I chose Social Policy personally because I was becoming more and more interested on what happened behind the scenes of policy making and its impact on many diverse groups.
Reflecting back, I can see my own personal progression across the three years of my undergraduate degree. I was always a quiet one- quietly in, quietly out. However, the lecturers always engage with the students, get them involved (which often evolved into great debates)! One thing I will forever advise other students is to never be afraid to communicate with your lecturer if you want clarification or just a chat on a question or lecture or topic area. They are always there. Literally.
I graduated in 2018 with a First Class Honours and have continued at Salford with a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Development. This course has helped me become more open to the world - from talking to and learning from others, to really building my confidence that ‘I can do anything once I apply myself and do the work.’ – willpower!
I hope to use my knowledge from Social Policy degree to help improve organisational management processes and governance within the Public Sector and to ensure we develop and adopt policies to meet the needs of a global, changing and more diverse society.
Get in touch
Our friendly team will answer any questions you may have. You can contact us through email enquiries@salford.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)161 295 4545.
Campus Life. Big City Buzz.
Study at Salford really is the best of both worlds. Our Peel Park campus is set in 46 square kilometres of lush, green space to enjoy. But we're also just over a mile away from the big city buzz of central Manchester - voted the UK's most liveable city two years running.
Famous for music, culture, sport, art and science, the cities of Manchester and Salford offers an unrivalled student experience where you can balance your studies with world-class culture, exciting events and legendary nightlife.
Campus Life
We know university life isn’t all about studying – sometimes you have to have fun, too – and there are plenty of things to do outside of academia across our campuses.
From joining a club or society, to taking part in a gym class, to meeting up with friends for lunch in Atmosphere bar and café: when you're not working on your next assignment or research project, you can be enjoying the perks of being on campus at the University of Salford.
Campus Accommodation
Living in student accommodation is a great way to get settled into university life and meet new people. We've got some great accommodation options to choose from, including Peel Park Quarter - recently voted one of the best halls of residence in the UK.
Becoming an undergraduate student
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