Health and Social Sciences graduate destinations
94%
of Health and Social Sciences graduates are in work or further study after 6 months*
*The structure and coverage of this survey are determined by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) employment indicator 2016/17, published in July 2018.
Great graduate careers
Many of our graduates go into professional and managerial jobs related to their degree. Thanks to the transferable skills they develop throughout their time at UWE Bristol, they also find careers in business, human resources, law, charity or media.
Psychology
Graduates go into jobs including:
- Assistant Psychologist
- Therapeutic Practitioner
- Finance Consultant
- NHS Recovery Support Worker
- Teaching and Learning Assistant
- Behavioural Therapist
- Community Fundraising Officer
- Marketing and Communications.
Criminology and Sociology
Graduates go into jobs including:
- Probation Officer
- Special Educational Needs Case Worker
- Police Victim Support Officer
- Graduate Management Trainee
- Drug Intervention Worker
- Business Marketing Consultant
- Probation Officer
- Housing Support Officer
- Prison Officer
- Police Constable
- Financial Adviser.
Social Work
Graduates go into jobs including:
- Social Worker
- Domestic Violence Advisor
- Recovery Care Coordinator
- Caseworker Welfare Service
- Youth Worker
- Child Protection Social Worker.
Public and Environmental Health
Graduates go into jobs including:
- Public Health Specialist
- Public Health Programme Manager
- Environmental Health Officer
- Local Authority Neighbourhood Officer
- Food Production Advisor
- Highway Safety Inspector
- Food Hygiene Consultant
- Licensing Officer
- Travel and Environment Officer (NHS).
Philosophy
Graduates go into jobs including:
- Think Tank Researcher
- Charity Manager
- Teacher
- Lawyer
- Policy Advisor
- Travel Manager and Guardianship Assistant
- Behaviour Support Worker
- Data Analyst
- Investment Consultant
- Social Media Entrepreneur and Business Founder
- Social Worker Trainee.
Politics and International Relations
Graduates go into jobs including:
- Business Development Manager
- Event Manager
- Fundraiser and organiser
- Government and Civil Service
- NGO and charity sector
- Political Party Case Worker
- Police Officer
- Senior Parliamentary Assistant
- Teacher Commercial Real
- Estate Property Manager
- Online news and Gaming Entertainer
- Public relations.
Top graduate employers
The South West has a large public sector, and graduates find jobs here or farther afield.
We work with employer partners who shape our courses; advise students on careers; and provide placements and work experience opportunities. Many graduates find work with these as well as employers such as:
- Bristol City Council
- Bristol Young Offenders Scheme
- Rolls Royce PLC
- Hargreaves Lansdown
- Exeter City Council
- Ministry of Defence
- Avon and Somerset Police
- Somerset County Council
- North Bristol NHS
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership.
Further study
Around a third of graduates go on to postgraduate study in areas such as academic research, counselling, social work, law or teaching. Examples from our 2017 graduates include:
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- MSc Marketing
- MSc Occupational Psychology
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education
- MSc Health Psychology
- MA International Relations
- MA Philosophy
- MSc Public Health
- MSc Events Management
- MSc Criminology
- MSc Sociology
- MRes Social Sciences.
Find out more about our courses
Psychology, Sociology and Criminology
Social Work, Environmental and Public Health
Please note: The Department of Health and Social Sciences is now called the Department of Social Sciences, and the health element is now part of the School of Health and Social Wellbeing.
See more information about UWE Bristol's excellent university rankings and reputation.
Career support throughout your degree
From the moment our students start, they get careers information, advice and guidance - from employers, our careers team, and their tutors. So by the time they graduate, they will be equipped with the experience, contacts and skills to succeed in their chosen careers.
Community and social engagement opportunities
Our staff are active researchers and have connections with a range of community, social and public sector organisations. Working with these, they arrange opportunities for students to apply knowledge, network, and develop vital employer relationships. This is through presentations from guest speakers, live briefs, events and community engagement activities.
Also students take advantage of a work-based learning module. Combining work experience and self-reflection, they apply new knowledge to work and community engagement. This helps them develop the necessary skills and professionalism for employment and active citizenship.
Placements and work experience
Work experience is vital in today’s crowded jobs market. While they’re here, we give students one-to-one support to help them find experience that fits their career plans.
They are prepared for work through a series of placements throughout their course including a placement year. Placement students are more likely to go into high-level graduate jobs and have a higher average starting salary. The placement year helps them work out where they want to work. And, if they already know, our careers service helps find placements that fit the brief.
Students can get valuable experience on internships or part-time work. And our volunteering service helps them find opportunities in the community or with charities.
Specialist careers support
Sector-specific careers advice is available for each department and one-to-ones are available with our dedicated team. And students can come to weekly careers panels, seminars and workshops to find out more about the different sectors they can work in.
And it doesn't end when our students graduate. Alumni can access our careers services up until three years after graduation.
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Career development
Our career coaching service can help you to develop a career plan.

Work experience, jobs and placements
Use UWE Bristol's in depth resources to find graduate jobs, internships, work experience and volunteering opportunities.

Innovation and enterprise
We offer internship programmes and funding opportunities to give you the opportunity to work on your own idea.

Further study options
Further study information for UWE Bristol students including postgraduate study, conversion courses, studying overseas and funding further study.