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Are you concerned about poverty, inequality or social exclusion?
Do you want to know more about population growth, employment creation, or children and youth in the Global South?
Did you know that most of the policies directly addressing these subjects fall into the category of social policy?
The Major in Social Policy for Development (SPD) offers an interdisciplinary, critical approach to the analysis of the problems of social reproduction and social provisioning – or of societal responses to social need – within a context of development and associated social and structural transformations. Emphasis is given to the question of how social policy can be used as a force for progressive transformation and for sustainable, equitable, gender-aware and socially-just development within a context of contemporary globalization and profound population transformations such as migration and urbanization. The Major privileges a focus on some of the most pressing issues of the world today, such as persistent poverty, rising inequality, exclusion and discrimination, high levels of unemployment and insecure informal employment, persistent gender gaps, child labour, or the provisioning of comprehensive and, ideally, free and equitable social services to all members living within a society, including those living in the grey areas of statelessness, such as refugees, illegal migrants, and discriminated ethnic minorities. In addressing these issues, the major draws on the world-leading critical political economy tradition of development studies at ISS, together with extensive international experience among its staff and a strong commitment to the potential for achieving social justice and equity through social policy tools in development. Four social policy related specializations are also proposed by the Major in order to allow participants to gain more in depth knowledge and research experience in a selection of sub-fields in which the ISS has strong expertise. The four proposed specializations are poverty studies, population and social development, children and youth studies, and work and employment, although students can also combine the core major training in social policy with other options from across the ISS.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Development Studies
Degree
MA
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
About Social Policy for Development
Are you concerned about poverty, inequality or social exclusion?
Do you want to know more about population growth, employment creation, or children and youth in the Global South?
Did you know that most of the policies directly addressing these subjects fall into the category of social policy?
The Major in Social Policy for Development (SPD) offers an interdisciplinary, critical approach to the analysis of the problems of social reproduction and social provisioning – or of societal responses to social need – within a context of development and associated social and structural transformations. Emphasis is given to the question of how social policy can be used as a force for progressive transformation and for sustainable, equitable, gender-aware and socially-just development within a context of contemporary globalization and profound population transformations such as migration and urbanization. The Major privileges a focus on some of the most pressing issues of the world today, such as persistent poverty, rising inequality, exclusion and discrimination, high levels of unemployment and insecure informal employment, persistent gender gaps, child labour, or the provisioning of comprehensive and, ideally, free and equitable social services to all members living within a society, including those living in the grey areas of statelessness, such as refugees, illegal migrants, and discriminated ethnic minorities. In addressing these issues, the major draws on the world-leading critical political economy tradition of development studies at ISS, together with extensive international experience among its staff and a strong commitment to the potential for achieving social justice and equity through social policy tools in development. Four social policy related specializations are also proposed by the Major in order to allow participants to gain more in depth knowledge and research experience in a selection of sub-fields in which the ISS has strong expertise. The four proposed specializations are poverty studies, population and social development, children and youth studies, and work and employment, although students can also combine the core major training in social policy with other options from across the ISS.
Admission Requirements
92+
6.5+
176+
Bachelors degree in one of the social sciences or equivalent, comprising at least three years studies at a recognized university or institute of higher education. Applicants must have obtained at least class 2.2 (Lower Second), B or equivalent, but preferably class 2.1 (Upper Second), B+ or equivalent.
01 Jul 2023
15 Months
Sep
Tuition fees
Domestic
17,500 EUR
International
17,500 EUR
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
MA Social Policy for Development
International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Netherlands
# 28QS Subject Rankings
15 monthsProgramme duration
17,500 EURTuition Fee/year
01 Jul, 2023Application Deadline
Programme overview
Main Subject
Development Studies
Degree
MA
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
- Are you concerned about poverty, inequality or social exclusion?
- Do you want to know more about population growth, employment creation, or children and youth in the Global South?
- Did you know that most of the policies directly addressing these subjects fall into the category of social policy?
The Major in Social Policy for Development (SPD) offers an interdisciplinary, critical approach to the analysis of the problems of social reproduction and social provisioning – or of societal responses to social need – within a context of development and associated social and structural transformations. Emphasis is given to the question of how social policy can be used as a force for progressive transformation and for sustainable, equitable, gender-aware and socially-just development within a context of contemporary globalization and profound population transformations such as migration and urbanization.The Major privileges a focus on some of the most pressing issues of the world today, such as persistent poverty, rising inequality, exclusion and discrimination, high levels of unemployment and insecure informal employment, persistent gender gaps, child labour, or the provisioning of comprehensive and, ideally, free and equitable social services to all members living within a society, including those living in the grey areas of statelessness, such as refugees, illegal migrants, and discriminated ethnic minorities. In addressing these issues, the major draws on the world-leading critical political economy tradition of development studies at ISS, together with extensive international experience among its staff and a strong commitment to the potential for achieving social justice and equity through social policy tools in development.
Four social policy related specializations are also proposed by the Major in order to allow participants to gain more in depth knowledge and research experience in a selection of sub-fields in which the ISS has strong expertise. The four proposed specializations are poverty studies, population and social development, children and youth studies, and work and employment, although students can also combine the core major training in social policy with other options from across the ISS.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Development Studies
Degree
MA
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
- Are you concerned about poverty, inequality or social exclusion?
- Do you want to know more about population growth, employment creation, or children and youth in the Global South?
- Did you know that most of the policies directly addressing these subjects fall into the category of social policy?
The Major in Social Policy for Development (SPD) offers an interdisciplinary, critical approach to the analysis of the problems of social reproduction and social provisioning – or of societal responses to social need – within a context of development and associated social and structural transformations. Emphasis is given to the question of how social policy can be used as a force for progressive transformation and for sustainable, equitable, gender-aware and socially-just development within a context of contemporary globalization and profound population transformations such as migration and urbanization.The Major privileges a focus on some of the most pressing issues of the world today, such as persistent poverty, rising inequality, exclusion and discrimination, high levels of unemployment and insecure informal employment, persistent gender gaps, child labour, or the provisioning of comprehensive and, ideally, free and equitable social services to all members living within a society, including those living in the grey areas of statelessness, such as refugees, illegal migrants, and discriminated ethnic minorities. In addressing these issues, the major draws on the world-leading critical political economy tradition of development studies at ISS, together with extensive international experience among its staff and a strong commitment to the potential for achieving social justice and equity through social policy tools in development.
Four social policy related specializations are also proposed by the Major in order to allow participants to gain more in depth knowledge and research experience in a selection of sub-fields in which the ISS has strong expertise. The four proposed specializations are poverty studies, population and social development, children and youth studies, and work and employment, although students can also combine the core major training in social policy with other options from across the ISS.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have obtained at least class 2.2 (Lower Second), B or equivalent, but preferably class 2.1 (Upper Second), B+ or equivalent.
Tuition fees
Domestic
International
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
How to get a full scholarship
Looking for a fully-funded scholarship to see you into university? Find out how to boost your chances of getting one.
Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your questions about scholarship applications, including tips on how to find scholarships and chances of success.
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