Top social policy programmes driving global change

In 2024, over 30 UK leaders from civil society, academia and business warned of rising inequality in health, housing and income. Their open letter called for urgent reform, saying this harms democracy, divides communities and weakens climate efforts.

The best social policy degrees respond to this moment, dissecting these problems and how governments can fix them. They explore how climate change affects us, how immigration is managed, and why jobs feel less secure. The subject is ideal for those who seek meaning and impact, giving you know-how and tools to build a fairer future.

If you want to make change happen, three universities are showing the way.

The School of Social Policy explores themes of Global Inequality and Social Justice and Health and Social Care. Source: University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham

Founded in 1900, the University of Birmingham was England’s first civic university, and has always been committed to serving society through research and education that makes a real-world impact beyond traditional academic functions. Since its foundation, the university has pushed the boundaries of research in various fields. It was the birthplace of the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies, which revolutionised how we understand culture and identity globally, and the intellectual home for François Lafitte, a key figure in shaping modern social policy and public health reform, particularly for family planning. Today, Birmingham continues to train people who are ready to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges—through research that doesn’t just ask questions, but seeks answers that make a difference.

Its School of Social Policy and Society is a testament to this, which is why it is now ranked #2 in the Complete University Guide for Social Policy, proving to be the best social policy programme outside of London. The school is on a mission not just to understand the world, but to change it by providing professional teaching and training to future practitioners, managers, and leaders in the public and voluntary sector. This means conducting world-leading research and then using it as a starting point to make a practical difference in policy, practice, and people’s lives. This is achieved through interdisciplinary programmes offered by the school, which can be broadly classified into two themes.

The first is Global Inequality and Social Justice. This theme comprises master’s degrees in Global Public Policy, Social Policy, Sociology, and Global Criminology and Criminal Justice – the latter of which is a new programme scheduled to launch in 2025. The school also explores another theme, Health and Social Care, which encompasses master’s degrees in Social Work, Health Care Policy and Management, and the MSc Global Health System Leadership at the Dubai campus.

As the biggest city outside of London, Birmingham offers vibrancy and diversity in its people, regardless of their age, background, or upbringing. Its strategic position as a global hub for innovation and healthcare excellence, plus its rich culture and unique history, are strong indicators that the city (and university) is an exciting place to study social policy.

Apply to the University of Birmingham now.

The University of Glasgow has made significant contributions to social policy research. Source: University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is one of the world’s leading centres for social policy research. You’ll see this in its wide-ranging, real-world impact — from improving justice for survivors of rape and sexual assault, to boosting men’s health through sports clubs, supporting migrant communities, shaping HIV prevention strategies, and redesigning support systems for rehabilitation and reintegration.

Ranked #5 out of 35 UK universities offering social policy degrees, Glasgow gives you a deep understanding of how to tackle social problems and unfairness in Scotland and beyond. Join this world-changing university and you’ll get to take part in public debates, influence policy, improve professional practice, and gain insight into people’s everyday lives.

At Glasgow, you’ll find two master’s programmes designed for aspiring changemakers in education and public policy. The interdisciplinary MSc in Education, Public Policy & Equity prepares you for a career in education policy. You’ll learn to use both numbers and stories — quantitative and qualitative methods — to explore real policy issues, guided by experienced tutors.

The MSc in Public Policy & Management blends policy theory with professional management training, preparing you to lead in government and public service. You’ll study how policies are made, how they’re evaluated, and how they respond to real-world challenges. Glasgow itself is a living laboratory for urban and social policy — full of complex problems and bold ideas that make it an ideal place to learn.

Apply to the University of Glasgow now.

Over 88% of social policy research submitted from Queen’s University Belfast was considered world-leading or internationally excellent. Source: Queen’s University Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast ranks among the UK’s top institutions for social policy research — currently #10 in the Complete University Guide. Over 88% of its research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent, including award-winning work on children’s rights using the Lundy model, which was designed to help governments, organisations, and educators ensure that children’s voices are genuinely heard and considered in decision-making.

If this is the kind of work you’re interested in, the MRes Social Science Research gives you the tools to do just that. You’ll learn how to design studies, collect data, and analyse complex issues such as the justice system, mental health, trauma, and more. Key themes include gender, disability, ageing, citizenship, and sexual health, with a strong focus on real-world relevance.

The MRes is delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and lab sessions, and thanks to Queen’s active partnerships with voluntary organisations in the UK and beyond, you’ll also gain hands-on experience with professionals working on the front lines of social change.

As a graduate, you’ll stand out for highly transferable and marketable research skills. You’ll be valued across a range of sectors: academic, government, charities and business – current graduates are working with a range of employers, from Barnardos to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. The MRes is a great pathway towards a career in any aspect of social research and ideal high-level preparation for a PhD.

Apply to Queen’s University Belfast now.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International