Socially Sustainable Societies

Contemporary societies are increasingly confronted with wicked problems. Innovative service solutions are needed to address the financial pressures associated with ageing populations. Cross-disciplinary thinking is essential for tackling the social challenges related to climate change.

In the Bachelor's Programme in Socially Sustainable Societies, the ideas and building blocks of well-being and health, past and present, are examined to support the design of sustainable societies for the future. We define social sustainability as the social dimension of sustainability and the ways in which societies function, with an emphasis on resilience, equality, and inclusion. The programme introduces Nordic perspectives on social sustainability, the welfare state, and intersectoral action, while also addressing the broader historical, global, and socio-political determinants of health and well-being.

Advancing social sustainability through social science  

In this programme you will tackle topical questions related to socially sustainable societies: 

• How can socially sustainable policies promote well-being and social inclusion?
• What is the role of welfare institutions and environmental policies in advancing sustainability?
• What does social sustainability imply for social protection, public health, and intergenerational justice?
• How can universal access to social protection and essential services be strengthened?
• How can inequalities related to income, gender, ethnicity, age, and place be reduced?
• What social, economic, and environmental factors shape well-being at local and global levels?

Studies are structured around topical research

The wide provision of courses and teaching is built upon the topical research conducted by the faculty. You can also choose free-choice studies from other degree programmes and thus enjoy added opportunities to learn about crossover themes from several study programmes. 

The programme prepares students to continue their studies in master’s programmes. All accepted students are automatically given the right to continue their studies in the Master’s Programme in Social Science Research which includes the following specializations: Transforming Societies (TRANSFORMS) and Comparative Social Policy and Welfare (COSOPO). 

Tampere University also offers several other relevant English language master’s programmes such as the Public and Global Health (admission every second year) and Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research. These programmes require a separate admission process.

Become a professional in designing and building socially sustainable societies of the future

The programme examines the historical roots and significance of social policy and public health both from local and global perspectives, while recognising the increasingly important role of the environment as a foundation of social sustainability.

Students will develop the competencies needed to critically assess and compare different welfare models, service systems, and social and health policy approaches. They will also gain an understanding of how social and health inequalities can be reduced, learn methods for assessing social and health impacts, and explore the importance of intersectoral action.

Graduates will possess a strong knowledge base, along with the theoretical and methodological skills required to become professionals capable of designing and advancing socially sustainable societies.

Wide range of career opportunities from public to private sectors

Whether you are interested in building your career on a local, regional, national, or global level, this Bachelor's Programme equips you with cross-disciplinary academic competencies and practical skills to begin your journey. Combining the Bachelor’s Programme with the Master’s Programme in Social Science Research gives you a degree with cutting-edge knowledge and skills needed to become a transdisciplinary professional who knows how the future society works. You will be ready for positions in the public sector, in corporations, or in non-governmental organizations at national or international level.  

The Master’s Programme in Social Science Research equips its graduates with academic capabilities ready to solve scientific and policy-relevant problems.  The graduates will acquire the theoretical and methodological competencies needed for applying to doctoral studies. 

Advisory board of the programme:

Mikko Perkiö, University Lecturer, SOS programme director
Salla Atkins, Professor
Salla Jokela, University Lecturer
Ali Qadir, Professor
Lina van Aerschot, University Lecturer
Eveliina Permi, Education Specialist
two student representatives from the SOS programme