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Study social policy abroad

: We maximize your chance of getting admitted to your chosen universities

The smart alternative to applying direct for social policy degrees abroad and the easy way to find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations

Find your perfect social policy programs abroad

Find social policy programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Find other programs in social policy

Social Policy degrees abroad

Social policy is the study of social issues and government actions taken to manage them. It’s a broad field that includes elements of sociology, ethics, philosophy, psychology and economics.

As well as learning about the social inequalities that have existed throughout history, you’ll consider the contemporary challenges faced by communities today. You’ll use key concepts and theories to explore the causes and consequences of problems like poverty, unemployment, crime, homelessness and education. You’ll then evaluate how effective government policies have been at tackling such injustices.

By earning your degree abroad, you’ll see how social structures and government systems operate around the world. You’ll observe how social difficulties vary between countries and cultures, giving you a valuable international perspective.

Social Policy program structure

Bachelor’s degrees in social policy are normally studied over three years, but some courses will integrate an additional 12-month placement. Although BA and BSc programs cover similar ground, BSc courses will focus more on statistical techniques and data analysis.

Social policy can be combined with another subject and studied as a joint honors course. This is a great way of tailoring your education to reflect your interests and ambitions. Common pairings include politics, economics, sociology and international relations.

Most US universities follow the liberal arts model of education, meaning undergraduate courses last four years. You’ll take general education classes for the first half of your program, before declaring a major in social policy at the end of your second year.

Once you’ve finished your bachelor’s degree, you might decide to enroll in a postgraduate program. Master’s degrees can be studied over one or two years, whereas research-based PhDs take several additional years.

Your timetable will mainly be made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and discussion-based workshops. Assessment methods will depend on the modules you take, but you’ll probably complete exams, essays and presentations.

The content of your program will largely depend on where you choose to study and the social issues present in that location. However, most courses will introduce you to the following fundamentals:

  • Introduction to social policy
  • Social policy and control
  • Health, care and wellbeing
  • Policy analysis
  • Poverty, class and inequality
  • Education, policy and social justice
  • Crime and society
  • Social research

How we maximize your chance of studying social policy abroad

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Social Policy study abroad programs

Social policy undergraduate programs

Bachelor's in social policy

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    Human Geography and Social Policy - BA Liverpool Hope University, UK

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    15,558 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 12,500 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Human Geography and Social Policy
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    Business Administration: Law and Public Policy - BBA Gonzaga University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    48,990 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 48,990 USD

    Start date
    August, January, May
    Show program overview about Business Administration: Law and Public Policy
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    Canadian Public Policy - BA Mount Allison University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    13,511 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 18,200 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Canadian Public Policy
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    Community Advocacy and Social Policy, Downtown Phoenix - BA Arizona State University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    31,200 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 31,200 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Community Advocacy and Social Policy, Downtown Phoenix
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    Design for Social Impact - BA/BFA Indiana Wesleyan University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    28,184 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 28,184 USD

    Start date
    September, January, May
    Show program overview about Design for Social Impact

Associate in social policy

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    Law, Public Policy and Society - AA Cuesta College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,650 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 10,650 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Law, Public Policy and Society
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    Liberal Arts & Sciences: Public Policy - ASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    7,305 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 7,305 USD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Liberal Arts & Sciences: Public Policy
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    Public Policy Administration - AAOT Lane Community College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    11,500 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 11,500 USD

    Start date
    September, January, March
    Show program overview about Public Policy Administration

Social policy graduate programs

Master's in social policy

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    Drug Regulatory Affairs - MSc Long Island University Brooklyn, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    21,618 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 21,618 USD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Drug Regulatory Affairs
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    Drug Regulatory Affairs - MSc University of Nicosia, Cyprus
    • Online

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    18 months
    Annual tuition fee
    13,026 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 12,060 EUR

    Start date
    September, February, June
    Show program overview about Drug Regulatory Affairs
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    Social Science: Rights and Social Policy - MSocSc Maynooth University, Ireland

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    15,130 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 14,000 EUR

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about MSOCSC SOCIAL SCIENCE (RIGHTS AND SOCIAL POLICY)
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    Public Policy - MPP DePaul University, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    24,320 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 24,320 USD

    Start date
    September, January, March
    Show program overview about Public Policy
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    Social Policy - MA Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    14,247 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 22,670 NZD

    Start date
    August, September, October, November, January, February, March, April, May, June, July
    Show program overview about Social Policy

Diploma in social policy

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    Public Policy - PGDip Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    9 months
    Annual tuition fee
    19,527 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 31,071 NZD

    Start date
    November, February, July
    Show program overview about Public Policy

Certificate in social policy

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    Regulatory Affairs - PGCert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    18 months
    Annual tuition fee
    18,254 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 24,588 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Regulatory Affairs
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    Regulatory Affairs for Cannabis Control - GradCert Clark University, USA
    • Online

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    9,315 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 9,315 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Regulatory Affairs for Cannabis Control

Pathway in social policy

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    Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices (Global Pathways) - PGP Northeastern University, USA

    Program type
    Postgraduate pathway
    Duration
    4 months
    Annual tuition fee
    15,200 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,200 USD

    Start date
    September, January, May
    Show program overview about Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices (Global Pathways)

Future social policy careers

As a social policy graduate, you’ll be ready to make a real difference to people’s lives through your daily work.

Your problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills will be in high demand across a range of sectors, including healthcare, social services, government, education, and charity. Some of the roles you could pursue include:

  • Policy advisor
  • Civil service administrator
  • Social worker
  • Charity officer
  • Housing manager
  • Local government officer
  • Politician
  • International aid worker

If you’re unsure of what to do after graduation, contact your university’s careers service. They’ll help you figure out your interests, land some work experience, and sharpen your resume.