Education Studies and Social Policy

Education Studies and Social Policy explores both the multi-disciplinary field of education and the discipline of sociology. The course structure offers a broad and balanced curriculum of research-informed modules which critically examine key topics and themes relevant to education, and the patterns of social life and social change more broadly. From concepts and issues to policy and practice, students will examine the fascinating landscape of these two subjects through local and global lenses. Students will develop advanced skills in making use of theoretical and methodological tools to ask questions that matter.

Designed by leading experts at Queen’s, the course structure is firmly rooted in the disciplines of Education and Social Policy and provides an insightful student experience and a qualification that will help graduates to shape a better tomorrow and open doors to influential career roles and destinations in the education sector and beyond – in governments, international agencies, charities, public sector organisations, schools, and the private sector.

The degree places a strong emphasis on developing students to become critical thinkers who can engage with theoretical knowledge and research evidence from education and sociology, with relevance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This includes the development of discipline-specific skills such as the ability to draw on a range of primary and secondary sources, and to analyse data.