Triple success as Education, Social Policy and Sociology ranked in UK 20 by subject
11 June 2026
Three of Cardiff University’s social sciences have ranked among the top of the UK’s Complete University Guide subject league tables.
Education moved up 8 places, with Social Policy up 4 places, while Sociology maintained its spot in 16th place.
The Complete University Guide, published annually, uses publicly-available data from HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency), National Student Survey (NSS) and Research Excellence Framework (REF) to determine its rankings.
The undergraduate-focused guide prioritises teaching quality, student experience and graduate outcomes, demonstrating the strength of the Social Sciences at Cardiff University.
Professor Luke Sloan, Head of the School of Social Sciences, said:
I am delighted to see that the hard work of our staff and students has been recognised across the breadth of the Social Sciences at Cardiff University.
"We take an interdisciplinary approach to the Social Sciences, encouraging our students and staff to explore and work across the disciplines to tackle real world problems. This approach provides an incredibly stimulating environment in which we can learn together to further our knowledge and understanding of the world around us.”
Education goes from strength to strength, having placed 3rd in the UK for its education research in 2021’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) where world-leading research has ensured that the views of young people are central to legislation and policies.
Our undergraduate programme provides students with a foundation to apply for postgraduate teacher training courses and employment in a range of sectors.
Similarly, our sociology degrees are led by some of the world’s most influential researchers, who were recognised by REF2021, placing 10th in the UK, inspiring generations.
Bolstering Cardiff University’s social sciences strong reputation, our social policy joint-honours degrees are ranked among the best in the UK, helping to drive future policymakers in work, education, security, health and wellbeing.
From September 2026, Education, Social Policy and Sociology will be part of the new School of Social and Spatial Sciences, combining with Geography and Planning and creating an even richer interdisciplinary environment in which staff and students can thrive.
Find out more about our undergraduate programmes.
