International Social and Public Policy BSc

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? The BSc International Social and Public Policy explores some of the big questions societies face around poverty, welfare, migration and gender equality. Students will examine how social policies are formulated and implemented across industrialised societies, transition economies and the Global South, and explore the distinctive roles of states, the nonprofit sector, financial markets and communities in addressing social challenges. Drawing on LSE's interdisciplinary strengths across the social sciences, the BSc programme enables students to study each topic from social, political, demographic and economic perspectives – developing a well-rounded understanding of these complex issues. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that students gain insights into how different academic traditions address policy problems and recognise the complementary nature of various analytical frameworks. The BSc programme is taught within the Department of Social Policy, which was ranked number 1 in the most recent research excellence evaluation (REF, 2021). The department's academics are influential figures in shaping policy debates and implementation globally, bringing cutting-edge research into the classroom. Throughout the BSc programme, students develop critical analytical skills, learning to evaluate evidence, assess policy effectiveness and understand the distributional consequences of different policy choices. The curriculum emphasises both theoretical frameworks and empirical research methods, equipping students to conduct rigorous analysis of social and public policy questions. Students also gain practical experience in policy analysis and research design, preparing them for careers in policy research, government, international organisations and the nonprofit sector.