Prospective Student Enquiries
+44 (0) 141 444 8600
hass-pgt-admissions@strath.ac.uk
hass-ug-selection@strath.ac.uk 

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

Our location
Find a member of our staff

Study with us

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes 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

Explore postgrdaute research opportunities

We offer PhD's in Criminology, Public Health and Health Policy, and Social Work and Social Policy. If you are ready to take the next step in your studies and research, get in touch.  

Research courses

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

MSW Social Work

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

PGCert Practice Education & Leadership (Social Services)

This programme develops the leadership skills of experienced social work practitioners, preparing and qualifying them to undertake the role of Practice Educator.

MSc Public Health & Social Innovation

The programme prepares students to apply evidence-based public health knowledge and social innovation approaches to influence policy, strengthen health systems and improve population health outcomes

Our students

Sean McIntosh

PGCert Children and Young People in Conflict with the Law

The knowledge gained from this course will change the way you see young people, it will change the way you write about and assess them, it will change the way you champion their rights being upheld and see the difference framing this makes in how you work with other professionals

Leonard Wang

MSc Health & Social Policy

One of the biggest advantages of the MSc in Health and Social Policy is the opportunity to pursue a placement-based dissertation. Through Strathclyde's international academic partnerships and generous funding from the Department of Social Work and Social Policy, I completed my placement-based dissertation with the Students' Health and Welfare Centre's Organization in Cape Town, South Africa.

Lilian Muparuri

MSW Social Work

Since joining the MSW programme, I have learned to apply critical and reflective thinking to complex social issues. I have developed stronger communication and assessment skills, become more confident in working with diverse service users,