Prospective Student Enquiries
+44 (0) 141 444 8600
studywithus-hass@strath.ac.uk

Faculty Office
+44 (0) 141 444 8700
hass-courses-swsp@strath.ac.uk

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Study with us

Undergraduate, postgraduate and research opportunities in social work and social policy.

Our people

Our staff take a critical approach to analysis of their fields.
Lord Hope Building at the University of Strathclyde

About us

Learn more about what we do, our research, careers and partnerships

Research

Our research helps shape social work policy and practice through national and international partnerships

Our centres

Engaging with government, the private, voluntary and independent sectors through centres of excellence

International activity

Opportunities to study abroad as part of our well-established exchange programmes

Our departments

New research briefing series

We are pleased to announce the publication of our new research briefing series. In each briefing, you will find an overview of our latest research highlighting the key messages and findings from our work. 

Research briefings

The Kilbrandon Lectures

The Kilbrandon Lecture, supported by the Scottish Government, and arranged by the University of Strathclyde, occurs each autumn to commemorate the contribution to public life and the Scottish legal system of Charles Shaw, Lord Kilbrandon.

The Kilbrandon Lectures
  • 3rd
    in the UK for Social Policy
    (The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
  • 4th
    in the UK for Social Work
    (The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
  • 88%
    of our research rated world-leading or outstanding
    (Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Shaping policy and practice for those in the greatest need

The Department of Social Work & Social Policy works to shape policy and practice in society's responses to its most pressing issues.

Our graduates leave our programmes with an appetite for change and the skills to make it happen. We offer versatile undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, built upon critical esearch that encourage students to challenge and engage with the very latest intellectual currents in the field.

The department's work is fuelled by a dynamic research culture, with department staff regularly producing high-quality, internationally-respected research on children, young people, health, wellbeing, citizenship, communities, criminal justice and social justice.

Through partnerships, policy work and centres of excellence, we create an environment where students and staff are empowered to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of the those most in need.

 

Featured courses

BA (Hons) Social Work

The first step towards qualifying as a social worker and promoting the rights of powerless people.

MSW Social Work

An Masters-level qualifying programme in social work validated by the Scottish Social Services Council.

MSc International Social Welfare

Develop a conceptual and theoretical understanding of the role social work and social policy plays in addressing inequality worldwide.

MSc Criminology & Social Policy

Gain a critical and nuanced understanding of the wider political, economic and social context within which criminological research takes place.

MSc Health & Social Policy

Take an intersectional approach to exploring how societies are shaped and supported by health policy.

Our students

Natasha Hessami Social Policy student

Natasha Hessami

MSc Social Policy (Research Methods)

I ultimately decided on Strathclyde because I was impressed by progressive and people-centred publications being published from the Department of Social Work and Social Policy. I knew I wanted to study at an institution that valued such impactful research.
Dimitar Karadzhov PhD student social work and social policy

Dimitar Karadzhov

PhD Public Health and Health Policy

Strathclyde is renowned for its research excellence in areas such as social work and social policy, and for being a socially conscous university with long-standing links with governmental and community organisations. This creates exciting opportunities to be part of research in the community.

Elaine Hamilton

MSc Advanced Residential Childcare

The conversations, observations and sharing of insight amongst my classmates really made the course for me. I found myself surrounded by people who really got it, This gave me a real sense of community within the sector and opened my eyes to the realisation that others shared my passion and desires.