The School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol, is one of the leading centres for public policy and social policy research in the UK. The programme is taught by many of the leading UK experts in the field, all of whom are engaged in national and international research projects. Our research is characterised by a strong empirical approach which employs a large range of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

The programme is uniquely placed within the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol and offers elective courses in areas of the School's particular research expertise, including child and family welfare, gender and violence, health and social care, poverty and social exclusion, and policy-oriented evaluation.

Our many graduates are now successfully making their mark in different parts of the world. In fact, one of the most interesting aspects of this specialist programme lies in the diversity of the students it attracts, which continues to reflect its global reach year after year. This has come as no surprise as our goal has always been to attract bright, dedicated, critically-thinking and open-minded students who are able to bridge those gaps between research and policy making in a variety of environments, organisations and countries.

The MSc Policy Research takes full advantage of being situated within the multi-centred School for Policy Studies and shares close ties with the MSc Social Work Research offering a range of mandatory and optional course within a challenging research and learning environment.  

The MSc Policy Research is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as a research training programme for the South West Doctoral Training Partnership SWDTP Pathway in Social Policy.

The School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol is pleased to be able to offer PhD studentships in social policy or social work. Studentships cover maintenance and fees for UK residents for full-time or part-time beginning in September each year.