Bachelor of Science in Social Policy

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

The MSc in Medical Statistics and Data Science will enable you to engage with the complex statistical and data science healthcare challenges facing the global community, providing high-quality training in statistical and computational methods that are applicable to low-, middle- and high-income settings.

As a medical statistician you will play a vital role in improving the health of populations by conducting statistical research (such as designing clinical trials and epidemiological studies, analysing data and interpreting results) to advance medical knowledge, track or prevent diseases and improve medications and treatments.  

Challenges have arisen over the last decade in the increasing availability of enormous electronic datasets related to human health and healthcare. Data science combines mathematics, statistics and programming tools to enable analysis of these very large and diverse datasets.  

You will be trained in the theory and practice of cutting-edge methods in medical statistics and data science (including causal inference, machine learning and data mining). Teaching will focus on building strong quantitative and computational skills, and effective interpretation and communication of research findings. All concepts, skills and tools are illustrated using real-life case studies and health-related data. You will gain professional skills - such as teamwork, presentation skills and writing for publication - essential for a successful medical statistician and data scientist.

You will explore the full range of plant biology, from enzymes to ecosystems. You will gain knowledge of the diversity, evolution and function of plants and of the latest developments in functional genomics, bioinformatics, plant developmental biology, plant pathology, parasite biology, cell signalling, pollination biology, ecology, plant conservation and systems biology.

The degree starts broadly before introducing more choice in years two and three, including a week-long field or laboratory course and a ten-week practical research project.

The University Botanic Garden is nearby. It was the first new university botanic garden to be built for 40 years and holds more than 4,500 plant species.

The MSci is particularly suited to students who are planning to continue in plant science research and would like extra experience and a competitive edge when applying for PhDs or research jobs.

In year one you will receive an overview of human and physical geography and develop a range of geographical and scientific skills. The remaining years are organised around specialist units from human and/or physical geography.

Physical geography units cover three broad areas: glaciology, hydrology and environmental change. Human geography units provide in-depth study of cultural, economic and social geography, emphasising the importance of theory and methods for analysing contemporary geographical problems and policies. Topics range from economic development and global politics to inequalities of health and contemporary social theory.

You will also develop skills in the use of specialised computer software, statistics and data collection in the field. Field trips and practical work are key components of the course. There are UK residential trips in year one and in year two there is typically an overseas field trip.

The skills that you acquire throughout your studies will be applied in a self-directed dissertation project in year three.

Researchers, research managers, policy advisers and service planners are all faced with a growing need for research that is timely and relevant. This program builds on the links between research and policy in developing the particular skills and capacities needed by policy-oriented researchers, professionals and postgraduate students who are interested in carrying out public policy, social policy and social welfare research. We believe this is vital if researchers are to maximise the impact of their work in addressing issues of real concern to policymakers.

The program provides core research training in philosophy and research design in the social sciences, along with introductions to and further approaches in quantitative and qualitative methods in the social sciences. It also offers optional units in our particular areas of research expertise, such as child and family welfare, gender and violence, health and social care, poverty and social exclusion, and policy-oriented evaluation.

We recognise that students will be joining with relevant - albeit varied - experience. Therefore, there will be opportunities for you to draw on your own experiences as researchers, managers and policy advisers and share insights with other students working towards research degrees in disability studies, social work research and health and wellbeing.

Those who have recently embarked on a career in policy research, or who hope to do so, will find the program offers a combination of academic rigour, up-to-date policy content and relevant skills development.

Core units are taught in collaboration with other postgraduate programs, providing a co-learning environment and giving you the opportunity to interact and share insights with other students working towards research degrees in disability studies, policy research, social work research and health and wellbeing. 

This course provides an exciting intellectual challenge from the outset. In year one you will study physics and mathematics and philosophical topics such as metaphysics, the theory of knowledge, and ethics.

Subsequent years allow you to study the overlap between the subjects in depth and might include units in the philosophy of science and the foundations and philosophy of physics.

The course gives you the opportunity to develop a physicist's broad range of skills, including problem solving, numeracy and communication, and to supplement these with a philosopher's ability to rigorously analyse complex texts and form coherent arguments on complex subjects.

You will join a friendly department with a very active, award-winning student society. The course is accredited by the Institute of Physics.

This course takes advantage of the expertise of our staff in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies. You will study a range of theoretical and practical problems that affect the social world.

You will study the politics of and relationships between countries, communities and individuals, becoming familiar with different views and methods of analysis and how to apply and evaluate them.

Sociology provides expertise in the study of the social world including actions, structures, beliefs, power and representation. By focusing on theoretical ideas and research skills you will be uniquely placed to understand the fast-moving changes of social life.

In year three you can choose to write a research dissertation in either discipline.

Our school encourages synergy between new research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment. This course combination offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges.

This five-year degree comprises clinical activity with integrated scientific and technical teaching. With a strong core of clinical work throughout, theory, science, clinical skills, personal and professional development and teamwork are integrated at the relevant levels.

Year one introduces the clinical environment through peer group activities and observations. Clinical skills training and patient contact commence early in year two.

Later in the program, you can choose to intercalate in a science subject to obtain an Honours BA or BSc. There is the opportunity to undertake community work in the UK or abroad during your elective in year four.

The program structure is helical, with four main themes of development: Practitioner, Scholar and scientist, Professional and Agent of Change, Person and Citizen. You will be introduced to basic concepts in the healthy patient before progressing to apply your knowledge and skills to treat an increasingly complex range of oral diseases.

You will begin your dental practice in the Bristol Dental Hospital before extending your practice to community teaching clinics in the city. Here you will treat patients with a wide variety of dental diseases in a primary care setting in preparation for dental practice beyond graduation.

Student welfare is central to our program and you will have access to a wide range of support, starting with our well developed in-house personal tutor network.

Health and Disclosure and Barring Service check

Certain health conditions may be incompatible with careers in dentistry. Before starting your degree you will need to complete a health assessment questionnaire and pre-course screening for blood-borne viruses. These blood tests are to identify the few whose health status may place them and/or future patients at risk. Please note that as part of your training you will come into contact with human and animal cadaveric material.

Practising dentistry demands the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. In accordance with General Dental Council guidelines, all dental students must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. For more information, please visit our guidelines for students on the DBS disclosure page.