BA Hons Social Policy & Human Resource Management at University of Strathclyde

Study with us

• examine the ways in which societies distribute resources and develop services
• study the relationship between employers and employees and the ways in which people are managed in the workplace
• address some of the major questions of our time, such as how social policy should adapt to a changing global, digital, connected and information-rich world
• our BA degrees in Humanities & Social Sciences are initially broad-based. In Year 1, you'll study three subjects, including your chosen subject(s)

Why this course?

Social Policy examines the ways in which societies distribute resources and develop services to meet individual and social needs. Key social policy issues examined include poverty; economic, race, age and gender inequality; social justice health; education; criminal justice and housing.

It utilises a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to improve our understanding of how societies organise their resources to meet individual and social needs and how they measure progress in these areas. 

This programme gives you the opportunity to learn more about the social and economic challenges facing Scottish society and place these in a broader international perspective. It draws on disciplines such as history, sociology, anthropology, economics, law, psychology, social anthropology and politics.

Human Resource Management (HRM) covers areas such as recruitment and selection, training and developing and managing conflict at work. These are an important part of the management process in all organisations.

Assessment

Social policy

You'll be assessed using a variety of methods, including not only traditional essays and exams, but also oral presentations, group work and other forms of assessment.

Human Resource Management

The majority of classes are assessed by a final unseen exam in addition to individual and/or group coursework.

In some cases, you can earn an exemption from the exam by achieving a specified coursework mark. Exams are normally held at the end of the semester in which the class is taught.

You normally have one opportunity to be re-assessed for a failed class.

Careers

The most common employment destinations for social policy graduates include:

• local & national government policy development and research
• regional & urban development
• business administration & management
• third sector/charity research & policy development
• children’s services
• education
• health & social welfare
• protective services

Recent HRM graduates have found employment in insurance, retail, manufacturing, recruitment consultancy and in the public sector. Some are employed in jobs such as HR trainee, HR assistant and recruitment consultant while others are employed in general administration and management.