University of Bristol - Social Sciences

The University of Bristol is home to a vibrant global community of world-class experts in sociology; politics and international studies; education; and policy studies.

We attract talented staff and students from around the world and have forged strong links with international organisations and research councils.

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law offers over 40 single and joint honours undergraduate degree courses and more than 70 postgraduate programmes, with a high percentage linked to professional and research-informed practice.

We provide high-quality teaching in a vibrant and inclusive learning environment, lead national innovations in educational provision, and are the lead institute for the ESRC-funded South West Doctoral Training Partnership.

Our faculty offers excellent support for research and research-related activities, and our academics are internationally recognised leaders in their fields – producing world-class research and scholarship across the social sciences.

The faculty actively cultivates an inter-school, interdisciplinary ethos, demonstrated by the numerous research groups and clusters operating at both school and faculty levels. We also lead two of the University’s Specialist Research Institutes – Migration Mobilities Bristol and the Bristol Poverty Institute – and work closely with the Bristol University Press, a leading publisher of social science research.

Studying with us opens the door to an exciting and wide-ranging array of career opportunities.

Our students are supported in developing their employability skills not only by the University’s Careers Service but also by our faculty’s own Professional Liaison Network. They coordinate a range of activities such as mentoring, work placements and networking events, designed to enhance your career prospects.

Our graduates go on to forge successful careers in all sectors, from academia and government to business, charities and international NGOs.

• 54th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• 9th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• 7th in the UK for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
• A top 5 UK university for research quality (Times Higher Education analysis of REF 2021)

Bristol is a welcoming and exciting city. With a vibrant culture, a strong sense of community and endless opportunities to try new things, it's a brilliant place to live, work and study.

Our city campus is perfectly placed for you to explore leafy green parks; the iconic harbourside; and historic theatres, concert venues and markets.

From festivals to talks and gigs to socials, there is always something going on. And with our outstanding facilities and active Students' Union, you can enjoy the best of student life.

The University continually invests in new and existing spaces, facilities and technology, giving you access to the support and resources you need to achieve your academic ambitions.

The University is engaged with issues of sustainability and inclusivity and was awarded a 1st class grade for environmental and ethical performance by People and Planet 2022/23.

The Schools of Education; Policy Studies; and Sociology, Politics and International Relations are each proud to hold the Athena Swan Bronze Award, which reflects our ongoing commitment towards gender equality in academia.