Short course

Sociology and Social Policy

This course provides an overview on health, examining factors that contribute to health inequality alongside potential social solutions. It explores the role of medicine in society, how social policy principles apply to healthcare, and you will be able to critically analyse explanations for health disparities.

Start date
March 2025
Duration
5 days
Mode
Face-to-face
Cost
Home microcredential cost: £585 International microcredential cost:£1630 Non-credit fee - £485
Level
Postgraduate Microcredential
Credit
10 credits

Sociology and Social Policy

This short course takes a broad view of health, and causes of health inequality; this short course looks in particular at the social influences behind ill health and social solutions that might be offered. Mixtures of tutoring methods are used.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this short course you should be able to:
1. understand the principles of sociology as applied to medicine and health-related behaviour
2. understand the role of medicine in society
3. understand and apply the principles of social policy as applied to health and health care
4. understand and critically explore explanations for inequalities in health.

Assessment

One written assignment.

Course dates

31 March - 4 April

Course coordinators

Course Lead: Dr Antje Lindenmeyer
Deputy Course Lead: Dr Ian Litchfield

Microcredential prerequisites

Degree level needed.

Further information

For further information on fees or entry requirements, please contact the Programme Administrator on 0121 414 7577 or at mph@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

You can choose to study this course as either a microcredential or a non-credit CPD shortcourse.

Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?

  • Usually taken from exisiting modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
  • Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
  • Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
  • Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
  • Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.

Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit shortcourse version.

Apply for the Microcredential

Non-credit short course

The microcredential and the non-credit short course follow the same course structure, the difference between them both is with the non-credit short course you do not take the assessment at the end therefore you will not receive credits but will recieve a certificate of completion, this certificate cannot be converted to credits. 

Please note if you apply for the non-credit short course, you cannot swap to the microcredential version once registered. 

Apply for the non-credit CPD shortcourse

All applications for the non-credit version must be received by a minimum of one month before the start date of the course.