Overview
Start date: September 2026
Duration: 3 years (Full-time only)
Fees: UK - £9,535 (per annum). Overseas - £39,800 (per annum)
Application deadline: 14 January 2026 (18:00 UK time)
Entry: Grades AAA. A Social Science subject is preferred. Other qualifications are accepted.
Location: This programme is delivered at our Canary Wharf campus, with some modules delivered at our Bloomsbury campus
Programme
Embark on the Management for Social Change BSc and develop vital skills to contribute to an evolving society. Blending management, politics and social change, this degree will teach you how to lead change and champion social causes within businesses and organisations, underpinned by fundamental business and management skills. You’ll graduate ready for a successful career in the private, public or voluntary sector.
The Management for Social Change BSc was created in response to this quickly evolving global context where social change can play a key role. Studying for this degree means you will take advantage of a curriculum that covers management studies alongside social sciences, and political science. You’ll gain deep insights about how change takes place in society, so you can develop key skills to lead and participate in change initiatives.
Through management modules, you’ll learn skills in social psychology, marketing, entrepreneurship and finance, giving you core knowledge applicable to any workplace. In particular, you’ll gain a detailed understanding of how individuals and groups can be organised and motivated to work together to introduce change.
This degree incorporates political theory and social change modules too, and you’ll learn how political ideas, including liberalism and environmentalism, influence societies, and the concepts behind why social activity can spark change. Blending theoretical study with the extensive exploration of case studies and real-life scenarios, this degree builds your knowledge and experience in highly relevant subject areas.
You’ll also benefit from opportunities to volunteer and contribute directly to social change, plus design and implement your own social change project. You’ll graduate with highly sought-after skills needed by a range of employers, with the ability to work comfortably within business, political science or for social causes.
Programme Structure
This three-year degree programme incorporates topics related to management, political science and social change during every year of study.
Year 1 of the degree is all about principles, focusing on the foundational concepts in each of the key areas of the programme, including power, management, and the history of social movements. You will take eight taught modules that are all compulsory. Two of the modules explore the historical evolution of work, organisations and social movements. The Introduction to Political Philosophy module looks at the ideas and institutions that underpin society, while the Democracy and Authoritarianism module gives insights into political institutions, civil society, public attitudes and political culture. Modules on Social Advocacy and Campaigning and the Economics of Social Change look at theories of advocacy, mobilising support, and using economic motivators as drivers of social change. Modules covering accounting, business management and business analytics give you a grounding in business principles and how they can be used to analyse and manage social problems.
In Year 2, the emphasis is on the practice of social change through case studies and scenarios. During this year, you also have the opportunity to volunteer and contribute to social change. You will take seven taught modules that are compulsory and one optional module, giving you the flexibility to explore your interests beyond the core curriculum. The Responsible Leadership and Influence module explores theories of leadership and the principles of ethical and inclusive leadership. Social Enterprise and Social Psychology modules look at business models with a social purpose and the dynamics of social influence. Modules on analysing the impact of social initiatives, financing social causes and policymaking cement your understanding, while a module about volunteering examines voluntary actions as vehicles for achieving societal goals and supporting political culture. The choice of optional modules include those that focus on human resources, digital marketing, global marketing, law and other topics.
In Year 3, the final year, the focus is on the design, implementation and evaluation of your own social change project using knowledge and tools you have learnt during your degree. This may include advocacy, analytics, finance and other areas. The theoretical content in the final year moves from principles and practice to the evaluation of change initiatives. You will take four compulsory taught modules and two optional modules, plus a double-weighted research project that runs through the first and second terms. The Design Thinking for Social Impact module is a key module that teaches you transferable techniques for solving problems in an innovative and iterative way. Through other modules you’ll learn to analyse policy challenges in global governance and gain insights into global regulatory strategies. The Digital and Social Media for Change module will teach you about powerful online strategies for supporting change. Your personal social change project will enable you to explore a topic of social change that interests you, which could relate to governmental policy, organisational practice, change in people’s behaviour, or another form of change. There is a wide range of optional modules to choose from too, covering diverse topics including entrepreneurship, international relations and mergers.
Programme for Students Starting Year 1 in September 2026
| Term 1 | Term 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 |
Organisations, Management and Society
Accounting for Business and Management Introduction to Political Philosophy History of Social Movements
|
Analytics for Management Democracy and Authoritarianism Social Advocacy and Campaigning Economics of Social Change
|
| Year 2 |
Responsible Leadership and Influence Social Enterprise Social Psychology Social Impact and Assessment |
Finance and Fundraising for Social Causes Policymaking Volunteering in the Non-profit Sector One Optional/Elective Module |
| Year 3 |
Design Thinking for Social Impact International Public Policy for Management Social Change Project One Optional/Elective Module |
Digital and Social Media for Change Global Regulatory Strategies Social Change Project One Optional/Elective Module |
Achieving a Management for Social Change BSc degree from UCL will set you apart, at a time when businesses and the public sector need to champion prosperity in parallel with social good.
You will graduate from this degree programme with the ability to explain, compare, identify and critically evaluate ways of effecting positive social change. With an excellent grasp of the theory and practice of political ideas, plus insights into the structures of international governance, you’ll be able to confidently apply this knowledge to a variety of job roles. With the ability to draw on the principles of social movements and social advocacy too, you’ll hone essential qualities and bring fresh, socially-aware thinking to your future employment.
Your learning in social and political topics is underpinned by the critical management practices taught through this degree, which include economics, marketing, entrepreneurship, financial management and psychology. You’ll also gain transferable skills in research methods, critical evaluation, decision-making, influencing and communicating with a multitude of stakeholders.
Subject-specific knowledge
When you graduate from this degree, you will be able to:
- Explain and compare alternative ways of initiating and advocating social change, which demonstrates current knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of political theory and ideas, public policy and political institutions, and structures of international governance as well as their contested and evolving nature.
- Identify and critically evaluate impactful ways of effecting positive social change involving relevant actors and institutions and drawing on the history of social movements and the principles and practice of social advocacy in their cultural contexts.
- Apply systematic knowledge in psychology, financial management, economics, marketing, and entrepreneurship to evoke and support social change based on current scholarly and other sources.
Intellectual and academic skills
When you graduate from this degree, you will be able to:
- Collect and analyse information relating to social issues, stakeholder opinions, and policy using appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Critically evaluate information, concepts and arguments to form judgements and propose well supported recommendations to social problems.
- Make decisions in complex social contexts of uncertainty, ambiguity and limited knowledge.
Practical and transferable skills
When you graduate from this degree, you will be able to:
- Cultivate a network of contacts to influence, motivate and empower others to support social change goals.
- Recognise, reflect and act on feedback and provide useful feedback to others.
- Develop and assess projects that involve the management of human, material and financial resources to implement social change.
- Communicate information, ideas, and solutions relating to social issues to a variety of audiences.
- Undertake and manage learning of academic and professional nature in an independent, responsible and reflective way.
Teaching Methods and Typical Contact Hours
Throughout the programme, you will learn through a variety of methods, blending in-person sessions and independent study. This includes lectures that incorporate case studies and exercises, and interactive seminars where you will apply your knowledge and develop your skills. The UCL School of Management also organises a programme of external speakers to deliver workshops, further enhancing your learning.
Independent study includes reading material and original activities such as participating in simulations or attending exhibitions. There may also be some external organisational visits and events that you’ll be invited to attend to deepen your understanding of subjects discussed in lectures and seminars. You will have the opportunity to volunteer during your second year, which will further your learning in a real-world context.
There are typically nine to 12 contact hours per week during term time, usually delivered via group lectures and smaller group seminars. You will also generally need to spend six to eight hours a week for each module on independent study and assessments. The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the specific schedule of activities.
You will be assessed through a combination of examinations, written assignments, presentations and group work. You will be required to pass all modules each year, in order to progress to the next year of study. Peer feedback is woven into the assessment process of several modules, which also helps you practice giving and receiving feedback.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Throughout the programme, you will be able to take advantage of extra-curricular activities which reinforce your knowledge and afford the opportunity for you to work with academic and industry leaders.
We actively encourage you to engage with UCL’s large and diverse range of societies or even join a society’s committee. It shows commitment and teamwork and can be a useful way to develop your managerial skills, too.
The School of Management has its own student society whose core work consists of serving the best interest of the students of the school through a mixture of social and academic events including networking sessions and employer panel events. All students of the School of Management automatically become members of the School of Management society.
Global Network
UCL is London’s Global University with students from over 150 countries, providing you with a global network and perspective, helping you to better understand and appreciate the impact of the major issues facing the world. By joining our global network, you will build a mindset to manage and understand the complex issues international businesses will face in the modern world, with tangible practical experience under your belt through the extra-curricular add-ons you can pad your programme with.
About the UCL School of Management
The Management for Social Change BSc is taught at the UCL School of Management, which is in the top 2% of business schools globally (AMBA accreditation), this programme is for anyone who is passionate about changing society for the better.
The research undertaken at the UCL School of Management has been rated as ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF), placing us 2nd in the UK for Business and Management.
Our academic staff are not only teaching, but are strongly research-focused. They collaborate with global companies to research and implement best-practice approaches to business and management which they then use to inform their teaching, ensuring their programmes and modules are innovative and reflect the latest leading research in their fields.
The UCL School of Management takes full advantage of being part of a world-leading university through our multidisciplinary collaboration with many other UCL departments.
For more than ten years, UCL has ranked in the top 10 universities globally (QS World University Rankings, 2025,) currently ranked 9th globally in 2025, and is proud to hold the title of University of the Year 2024 title, judged by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 who also rank UCL in 6th place in the UK in 2024.
Located in London, the best student city voted by QS for four years in a row, we attract staff and students from all over the world. The cultural fluency and global perspectives our students develop because of our diversity are prized by employers.
Employability & Careers
Successfully graduating from the Management for Social Change BSc degree will give you a set of core skills sought after by employers at the moment. Ultimately, these skills will enable you to advocate for social change and positively contribute to society through your future employment.
The knowledge and skills you’ll gain are particularly suitable for work in:
- policymaking
- advocacy
- the civil service (including the possibility of applying for the Civil Service Fast Stream)
- international organisations including non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- thinktanks
- charities
- social enterprise
- the private sector
- social media campaigning.
This degree equips you with a range of skills our research shows are currently sought after by employers in the private sector, the civil service and international organisations. These include:
- team-working
- taking initiative
- the ability to receive and give feedback
- communication skills
- being organised
- decision-making
- networking skills
- commercial awareness
- understanding how organisations work
- how to manage organisations effectively.
At the beginning of this degree, you will have access to complete the Global Business Primer, an exclusive online programme available to UCL School of Management students. This gives you an insight into best practices for working in an ever-changing global business environment. It takes no more than 15 hours to complete and includes sessions such as Global Ethics and Working in Global Teams, and seven regional overview sessions exploring market trends, business etiquette and working practices. On successfully completing this programme you’ll receive a certificate, which you can show employers as evidence of your global business mindset.
You’ll benefit from bespoke career support from the UCL School of Management from Year 1 until you graduate, which includes access to a variety of insightful employer and alumni talks. The career support you’ll receive also includes:
- individual career planning and coaching sessions with career consultants
- industry/sector insight sessions and employer-led events
- regular careers and professional development workshops on topics including networking, and social media presence
- bespoke programme events such as employer and alumni talks
- access to UCL School of Management alumni
- support with finding summer internships, which helps students eventually secure graduate roles.
Student Profile
Who is this programme designed for?
We are looking for candidates who have a genuine interest in social causes. This degree is for you if you are eager to change society for the better, and acquire foundational business and management skills too. You should be keen to learn the theory and practice of how change takes place in society, and want to learn the skills and approaches necessary for inspiring change in whatever employment you seek in the future.
Applications
When we assess your application, we will be seeking to learn:
- Why you are interested in social causes, and the social causes you are particularly interested in.
- Where you have undertaken specific activities with tangible outcomes, not just what your aspirations are.
Successful candidates will be able to tangibly demonstrate:
- A keen desire to learn about the intersection between social change, political theory and management.
- Enthusiasm to develop into a manager or leader who will bring about positive change.
- A concrete contribution to community and society through volunteering or other extracurricular activity in, for example, sports clubs, sustainability initiatives or promotional campaigns.
- Achievements that show personal initiative and commitment in any area of life.
How to apply
You will need to apply for this programme through the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) system. All application dates for UCAS can be found on their website.
Find out more about applying for courses through UCAS
Entry requirements
Grades AAA, preferably with at least one Science or Social Science subject. A number of other qualifications are accepted from the UK and worldwide.
GCSE requirements are for Home applicants who have been solely educated in the UK (ie they do not apply to International applicants completing their A Levels in the UK). We require English Language at grade B or 6.
If English is not your first language, from 2024 UCL's English language requirement for this programme is ‘Level 4'. Further details and a list of acceptable English Language tests.
Fees
Fees for 2025 entry, UK tutitions fees £9,535, International Students tuition fees £39,800.
You can find more information about course fees on the UCL Fees and Funding website.
Further information and contact details
For all admissions related enquiries, please see the Undergraduate Admissions Website. Remember to always include your UCAS ID number in your email.
Additional Costs
This programme does not have any other additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying. Indicative prices for printing can be found here and UCL poster printing prices can be found here.
When to Apply
You can apply to this programme through the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) system from September 2025 for entry in September the following year.
Open Days
UCL provides regular open days and other forms of public access. Anyone wishing to visit to discuss the BSc International Management programme and the opportunities that it provides is always very welcome to do so and we always welcome the opportunity to talk further about you and the programme. Additionally, we provide open days for particular schools and other student groups by prior arrangement.
Virtual Open Days
We have two Virtual Open Days taking place in Spring 2025. They are an excellent opportunity to hear from the Programme Director and learn more about studying with us, and have the questions that are important to you answered during the Q&A section of the event.
Register for more Information
In-Person Open Days
The next in-person Open Days will take place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June 2025. Bookings will open in March for the online events and May for the in-person events.
Learn more and book your place today when registration opens!
Scholarships
Scholarships are available through UCL for all years of study. Competition for scholarships is fierce, however, and to stand a chance of being chosen you will need to show evidence of commitment and the potential for high achievement.
Application for scholarships and bursaries must be made either when confirming your place before the start of your studies, or else at the start of each year of study.
Some of the scholarships available are:
FAQs