| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-25 | - |
Program Overview
Course Details
Helping you to help others
If you’re seeking to accelerate your career in an area where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, the University of Bolton's MSc Human Society (with specialism): Extended should be of interest to you. This course offers you professionally-relevant training for practice in your specialist area (chosen from Early Childhood studies, Community Development and Youth Studies or Social Care, Health and Wellbeing), coupled with essential skills development for business and leadership that will take your CV to the next level.
An ideal course for graduates and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a professional seeking a change of direction or to increase your credibility in practice, this course offers you the opportunity to study cultures, communities and society in readiness for a career working to improve the lives of vulnerable people, children, families and young people in the community. Our expert team will support you to develop postgraduate-level expertise ready for professional practice in the human services, along with the high-level transferable skills and self-belief you need for leadership roles, teaching or further research. This master’s degree should appeal to (but isn’t limited to) graduates and professionals in areas such as Community Development and Youth Studies; Crime and Criminal Justice; Early Years and Childhood Studies; Education; Law; Nursing; Psychology; Social Care, Health and Wellbeing; Social Work; and Sports Development.
Study a master’s that matters
This course takes a holistic view of social justice, equality and inequality in society so that you can develop a broad appreciation of the interconnected nature and need for multi-disciplinary work in the human services. Armed with this overview, we’ll support you to explore your chosen specialist area in greater depth, preparing you for professional practice in this field. You can specialise in Early Childhood Studies, Community Development and Youth Studies or Social Care, Health and Wellbeing and you do not need to have worked or studied specifically in these areas before. To support your leadership aspirations, we’ll also use tried-and-tested coaching techniques to help you master skills such as problem-solving, collaboration and team working, using your initiative and decision-making.
Experts in the field
Our multi-disciplinary team of experienced academics and practitioners are able to help you forge the necessary links between theory and practice. We’ll support you to develop your knowledge and understanding of human society, focusing on your chosen specialist area. You’ll explore the forms of diversity and challenges to professional practice in the human services. You’ll also learn about the health and wellbeing of individuals and groups in society and how this is related to policy and the professional landscape. Your studies will culminate in your Professional Dissertation, an independent and substantial piece of research that will further your knowledge and practice. This will demonstrate your mastery of an aspect of your field, showcasing your expert knowledge to employers.
Ensuring your learning is contemporary, relevant and industry-informed
We have a well-established network of employers and organisations within our local community that gives us essential insights into the needs of organisations and the individuals they support. We also have significant links with national networks in each specialist area. Our partners span the human services sector and provide up-to-date experience and expertise in practice and policy so you can rest assured that your learning will be contemporary, relevant and industry-informed.
Reach your potential
Our passionate team want to help you make a real difference in society and enjoy a rewarding career. As well as building your knowledge of human society and professional practice, we’ll support you to identify and develop the personal and business skills that are most highly valued in the human services sector. Not only will this help you get established early on in your career, but you’ll also be primed to take on leadership roles. You’ll have the lifelong learning, problem-solving and decision-making skills needed to adapt to the challenges you face throughout your career.
Would you prefer to complete your course over a different timeframe?
We also offer this course full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. For details of the 12-month course, please visit our full-time MSc Human Society (with specialism) course search web page. Alternatively, to find out more and apply for the 24-month course, please visit our part-time MSc Human Society (with specialism) course search web page.Highlights
Key Features
Program Outline
The MSc Human Society (with specialism): Extended offers named postgraduate routes for practice‐based areas including Early Childhood Studies, Community Development and Youth Studies, and Social Care, Health and Wellbeing. It can also act as a bridge, where appropriate, into an area of professional practice if your undergraduate degree was in another subject area. Additionally, it’s an excellent option if you’ve been working in a relevant field gaining degree-level knowledge through experience and self-study rather than formal education. This master’s aims to expand the knowledge and expertise you’ve gained through your undergraduate or professional work and pave the way for you to achieve your ambitions.
Throughout the programme, we’ll use tried and tested, research-informed coaching and training methods to support your development of essential academic, professional and transferable skills. These will range from postgraduate-level skills in research, critique, problem-solving and synthesis to interpersonal and professional practice related skills such as innovative thinking, team working and project management, the effective use of technology, public speaking, self-presentation and professionalism. Our aim is to ensure you’re ready to impress potential employers, secure the job you desire, and start making a difference to individuals, families and communities immediately upon graduation. By the end of the course, you should have the skills to take charge of your personal and professional development and be able to reflect on your progress as you work towards your goals.
What can I do with this qualification?
Our MSc Human Society (with specialism): Extended focuses on preparing you to become a future leader in the human services sector. After graduation, a wide range of career opportunities will be available to you and will vary depending on your prior qualifications and experience, and on whether you choose to specialise in Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, Early Childhood Studies, or Community Development and Youth Studies. By taking this opportunity to develop your professional practice along with clear plans as to how you will use your skills and knowledge, you can accelerate your career in your chosen area. Completing this course will extend your skills and increase your self-confidence, as well as provide a sound basis for doctoral-level study.
If you specialise in Early Childhood Studies, you’ll be well qualified for progression to a managerial or senior leadership role in the sector. You could pursue a career working in early years or with children and young people, such as youth justice, child and family intervention and support, policy development and education, youth work or child psychology.
Choosing the MSc Human Society (Community Development and Youth Studies) offers different opportunities. You could work in management or senior-level positions in a wide range of settings such as schools and colleges, youth and community centres, local government, housing associations, substance and alcohol misuse support organisations, youth offending teams, community-based groups, as well as residential settings such as care homes.
Finally, specialising in Social Care, Health and Wellbeing opens up opportunities to work in a wide range of statutory, voluntary and independent settings, including local authority or multi-agency teams, health promotion projects, refugee and asylum services, hospitals, sheltered accommodation, hospices and day centres and residential care units. As a graduate, you’ll be well prepared to seek leadership roles in these areas as well as in commissioning and care management services.
On successfully completing the course, you’ll be invited to continue your education via the MPhil and PhD degrees that are available at the University of Bolton.
Alternative career options
Depending on your chosen specialism, after graduation you can also use this qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, both relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:
