When it comes to choosing a career, Social Policy graduates will often have best of both worlds; the degree can be "vocational", if you so wish, across a range of public, private and voluntary services; but it is also a non-vocational degree, if you want to compete for the range of vacancies that still require a graduate with no specification as to subject.
There is a wide range of jobs for graduates in Social Policy - some 40% of graduate jobs are open to those of any degree discipline. Many use the knowledge and skills acquired through their degree to enter the health and social care sector and gain employment, either as practitioners, researchers, policy-makers, or managers in the areas of social work, criminal justice, health, education, housing, urban renewal, and poverty and social inclusion. Alternatively some Social Policy graduates use their knowledge to gain entry into professions such as journalism and politics, whilst others are equally well placed to enter jobs unrelated to their degree discipline such as in advertising, accountancy, market research, public relations, recruitment, and administration.
Below are some comments from former Social Policy graduates. They discuss what they went on to do after graduating with a degree in Social Policy and how they feel that taking the degree has contriubuted towards each of their chosen paths.
Jo Harris (Graduated 2003, BSc Social Policy, 1st) Grants Assistant, Comic Relief
"The decision to read Social Policy at Bristol University was the best academic decision I ever made. Not only was it intellectually challenging and thoroughly interesting but it is also totally relevant to everyday life... A great course that will give any student an excellent basis to build a bright future career... I am now working within the voluntary sector for Comic Relief... It was this course, as well as the supportive nature of the University department, that gave me the knowledge and confidence to fulfil my new role"
James Hinchcliffe (Graduated 2001, BSc Social Policy & Politics, 2:1) Political Assistant, Bath and North East Somerset Council
"Challenging, eye opening, and stimulating. Those are the three words I would choose to describe the study of Social Policy... The course helped me to look beyond the headlines in the newspapers and understand the decisions being made by governments and institutions... Students studying with a view to working in any aspect of policy-making or implementation, like the Civil Service, would find this course worthwhile in developing the expertise essential for a successful career.. The vibrant nightlife and rich culture of Bristol City combine to provide the ideal environment for a rounded educational experience"
Mark Binks, (Graduated 2000, BSc Social Policy, 2:1) went on to study for a MSc in Journalism at the Columbia School of Journalism, USA
"My experience at Bristol exceeded my expectations... My Social Policy degree developed my analytical skills and gave me a broad understanding of how policy is shaped... People throughout the world recognise a Bristol degree as a sign of quality… it set me above the rest when competing against others to study for a Masters Degree and it has given me the skills to deliver in the workplace and in the academic world"
Jo Ingold (Graduated 1999, BSc Social Policy, 1st) Policy Researcher, Civil Service
"Social Policy is a great opportunity to study everything from the history of the welfare state, to current policy-making across the world... I really enjoyed my time at Bristol. The School for Policy Studies is a friendly department and Bristol is a lovely City… I always enjoyed doing Social Policy and I was even surprised at how much I enjoyed the economics course!"
Beth Milton (Graduated 1998, BSc Social Policy, 1st) NHS Research Fellow, Department of Public Health, University of Liverpool
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student at the School for Policy Studies. I have always been fascinated by society, and I especially liked the way that Social Policy is a subject that is highly relevant and gives students a rich understanding of contemporary debates... The course offers the opportunity for in-depth discussion of social issues during seminars and these attract a broad range of students with different life experiences to share"
Jackie Rodgers (Graduated 1991, BSc Social Policy, 1st) Senior Research Fellow, Bristol University
"I began my degree in Social Policy in 1988, as a mature student, after a career in the health service. After some time out of formal education it was both a challenge and a real pleasure to get back to studying... The issues we studied fascinated me… It was not only the intellectual content of the course that made it so enjoyable – the people were great too. It was good to be part of a group that included other mature students as well as friendly younger people"
Robert Fenwick (Graduated 1990, BSc Social Policy & Philosophy, 2:2) Head of Resettlement, HMP Bristol
"After graduating in 1990 I worked with homeless client groups in various roles and went on to work for the Governments Rough Sleepers Initiative in 1998. In 1999 I was fast tracked into the Prison Service at Governor Grade and I am currently Head of Resettlement at HMP Bristol... Issues of poverty, social exclusion, penal policy and access to social goods such as housing and education are all central to my daily work in attempting to successfully resettle offenders back into communities... Some of these issues can be explored within a social policy degree and I am certain that I would not have arrived at my current position, doing a job I really enjoy, without the knowledge and insights that the degree course at Bristol provided"