BSc International Social and Public Policy

Why does poverty still exist in the 21st century? What role does the welfare state have in people’s lives? Why is there still a gender pay gap?

Our BSc International Social and Public Policy explores some of the big questions we face in society around poverty, welfare, migration and gender equality. You’ll look at how social policies are formulated and implemented in industrialised societies, transition economies and the Global South, and explore the role of states, the nonprofit sector, financial markets and communities.

Drawing on LSE’s interdisciplinary strengths across the social sciences, you’ll study each topic from social, political demographic and economic perspectives – enabling you to develop a well-rounded understanding of these complex issues.

At LSE, you’ll learn in a department with outstanding research and teaching credentials. Our Department of Social Policy was ranked number 1 in the most recent research excellence evaluation (RAF, 2021) and our academics influence thinking and policy setting globally.

If you wish to gain further insight into social policy, you may be interested in some of the Department’s podcasts.

You may also like to look at one or more of the following books:

• H Dean Social Policy (2nd edition, Polity, 2012)
• D Garland The Welfare State: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2016)
• M Daly Welfare (Polity, 2011)
• P Alcock, M May and S Wright (eds) The Student's Companion to Social Policy (4th edition, Oxford: Blackwell, 2012)
• R Surender & R Walker (eds) Social Policy in a Developing World (Elgar, 2013)

You’ll take four compulsory courses and LSE100.

There are two compulsory courses in the second year. You’ll choose options from social policy and/or from another department (totalling two units).

If you choose to take the Development specialism, you’ll take the Development and Social Change course (which is optional for other students).

In the third year, you complete a dissertation and select three social policy options. If you’ve chosen the Development specialism, you’ll write a dissertation on a topic related to international development.

The Department of Social Policy is an internationally recognised centre of research and teaching excellence in social and public policy.

From its formation in 1912, the department has conducted pioneering research on contemporary social problems and helped develop policy solutions.

The department has an interdisciplinary and international outlook. Our academics conduct research on pressing global issues such as poverty, inequality, crime, unemployment, healthcare, education and housing. Collectively, our faculty team draw on their backgrounds in anthropology, demography, economics, political science, sociology, as well as social and public policy.

We advise national and international governments and organisations and our research shapes decision-making and policy direction at the highest levels.

Within the department, we offer a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities. Our department is rated number one in the UK for social policy (Good University Guide 2024). We were also awarded the highest UK ranking for research in the field of social policy in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021).

The teaching curriculum is research-led, focused on applying global insights and supporting students with their learning at every stage of their journey.

Our alumni work in prominent government positions, national and international NGOs, the public and private sectors, and universities across the world.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Social Policy

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an interest in history and an awareness of the links between history, economics and social change
• a flexible approach to problem solving
• an ability to think independently
• an ability to apply logic and reasoning to form balanced conclusions
• strong statistical competence
• an ability to follow complex lines of mathematical reasoning
• great communication skills
• intellectual curiosity
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard
• an equal interest in economics and economic history.

This is the 2025/26 tuition fee. The home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

This is the 2025/26 fee for each year of your programme. The overseas tuition fee will remain at the same amount for each subsequent year of your full-time study regardless of the length of your programme. This information applies to new overseas undergraduate entrants starting their studies from 2025/26 onwards.

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a wide range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams.

Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Class teachers mark formative coursework and feedback is normally given within three weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.

Summative assessment

This assessment counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

Summative assessment varies from course to course but it may involve essays, exams, quizzes, blog posts and projects (except the third-year dissertation).

You’ll receive feedback on any summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except for final submitted dissertations). Feedback will normally be provided before the examination period.

Assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. See details of the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

The skills you'll develop by studying social policy are attractive to a range of employers. Our graduates have found work in a variety of industries including; politics and government, education and teaching, banking and finance, NGOs, charities and international development, as well as journalism, media and publishing, advertising marketing and PR, and accounting and auditing.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.