Applicant information
What happens after you apply to Bristol?
DSocSci in Social Science (Policy Studies Doctorate)
| Awards Available | DSocSci MSocSci Postgraduate Diploma Postgraduate Certificate |
|---|---|
| Duration of programme | Four years full-time; eight years part-time |
| Part-time study available? | Yes |
| Number of places | 20 |
Page contents
Programme overview
This programme provides an alternative route to a traditional PhD for students who wish to develop their careers in the rapidly changing world of professional policy-making. It is based on coursework and a dissertation, offering a broader curriculum and a structured learning environment that combines both teaching and research.
The programme exposes you to contemporary theory and analysis of policy studies. It will provide you with up-to-date knowledge on the determinants, processes and outcomes of policy-making from global to local levels. It also offers practical training in a range of research techniques and methodologies, enabling you to employ the most appropriate methods in a variety of settings and in the different phases of the policy-making process from design to implementation and evaluation. The training also enables you to develop your analytical skills to generate primary data and allow critical appraisal and evaluation of documentary sources.
Entry requirements
An upper second-class honours degree, preferably in the Social Sciences. Students may enter the Doctor of Social Science programme and complete 12 units at level 8 before embarking on their dissertation. These students will be enrolled as MSocSci candidates and are then upgraded to Doctor of Social Science candidates after completing half of the coursework.
Applicants with a suitable Masters degree will receive credit recognition and dispensation, such that they will be required to take 150 credit points of coursework. Students will be registered as Doctor of Social Science candidates. Doctor of Social Science candidates progress to the dissertation after completing the coursework.
For information on international equivalent qualifications, please see our International Office website.
Admissions statement
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Programme structure
The modular programme allows flexible delivery to full- and part-time students as an advanced 'in service' professional development and as a highly prestigious 'pre-service' qualification for recent graduates. For students with a Masters degree the coursework consists of 150 credit points (7.5 units) and the research component is based on a 45,000 word dissertation. Most units are taught in concentrated three-day blocks.
Core units
- Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences
- Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences
- Perspectives on Policy
- Philosophy of Social Science
- State and Society
- The Core Skills of Social Research (two half-units of 10 credits)
Optional units
- Domestic Violence: Research, Policy and Activism
- Further Quantitative Methods
- Governance and the Changing Institutional Framework
- Health and Social Care Research
- Researching Poverty, Inequality and Social Inclusion
- Researching Child and Family Welfare
- The Economics of Public Policy
- Special Independent Study
Please note: not all optional units run in each academic year.
Application deadline: Not fixed
Get in touch
Misa Izuhara, Programme Director
Tel: +44 (0) 117 954 5578
Email misa.izuhara@bristol.ac.uk
Postgraduate Senior Admissions Administrator
School for Policy Studies
8 Priory Road
Bristol
BS8 1TZ
Tel: +44 (0) 117 954 6785
Email: sps-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk
Web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/studying/postgraduateprogrammes/
International students
Open to international students? Yes
English-language requirements: 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each band, in addition to the standard entry requirements.
Find information for international students on eligibility, funding options and studying at Bristol.
Fees and funding
2014/15 fees
Full-time UK/EU: £4,800; overseas £11,000
Part-time EK/EU: £2,400; overseas n/a
Fees stated are per annum and subject to annual increase
Funding options
Further information on funding for prospective UK, EU and international postgraduate students is available from the Student Funding Office website.
Research Assessment Score
Unit of Assessment 40 applies. See Complete RAE listings for University of Bristol for further details.
Useful further information
Accommodation
Our Accommodation Office helps all postgraduate students find accommodation.
Living in Bristol
Discover more about living in Bristol and the city of Bristol.