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)