Publishing with Purpose
Textbooks
Education is at the heart of our mission to make a difference. Our goal is to support students’ learning with materials that foster understanding, confidence and skills.
We have a diverse and growing programme of textbooks and learning resources that are designed for Social Science courses at university and college level. We take pride in publishing quality content at affordable prices, and we cater to a wide range of learning styles in print and digital formats.
All of our textbooks are available on e-inspection (order here, or use the links on the book pages).
Lecturers are welcome to request inspection copies for potential recommendation on their reading lists and for student and library purchase. In return, we just ask for feedback on the books’ suitability for teaching purposes, in order to help us develop our publishing. You can submit your feedback using our short survey here.
Take a look at our textbooks below or browse by subject.
In line with our commitment to sustainable practice and environmental responsibility, all our textbooks are available primarily on digital inspection for lecturers. A select number of our titles are available on print inspection. Please email bup-textbooks@bristol.ac.uk to enquire.
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We would value your feedback on your requested title(s) in order to improve our services. Please fill in our short survey here.
If you have any queries, or if you need to order a print inspection copy due to a sight or physical impairment, please email bup-textbooks@bristol.ac.uk.
*A limit of 3 inspection copies may be requested at any one time. A limit of 8 inspection copies may be supplied per person per year.
Embodying identities
Culture, differences and social theory
This book shapes a new language of social theory that allows people to embody their differences with a sense of dignity and self-worth, enabling them to come to terms with the complexities of their lived identities in a post-modern globalised world.

GBP 22.99GBP 18.39 Add to basketGBP 75.00GBP 60.00 Add to basketGBP 22.99GBP 18.39 Add to basketGBP 22.99GBP 18.39
The short guide to social work
This one-stop text for new and prospective social work students is easy to read and full of essential information and practical advice about what is needed to qualify and practice in social work.

GBP 12.99GBP 10.39 Add to basketGBP 12.99GBP 10.39 Add to basketGBP 12.99GBP 10.39
Recording in social work
Not just an administrative task
This highly topical book explores the conflicting demands on social workers as they record information on case files, and will stimulate a debate on how to achieve more effective recording in social work.

GBP 21.99GBP 17.59 Add to basketGBP 21.99GBP 17.59 Add to basketGBP 21.99GBP 17.59
Social theory for beginners
Aimed at first-year undergraduates studying sociology and related disciplines, this introductory-level textbook presents key ideas and concepts in social theory and an account of their intellectual background.

GBP 23.99GBP 19.19 Add to basketGBP 80.00GBP 64.00 Add to basketGBP 23.99GBP 19.19GBP 23.99GBP 19.19 Add to basket
Understanding theories and concepts in social policy
This lively textbook, part of the successful Understanding Welfare series, helps us to understand policy, politics and practice. It combines an in-depth exploration of selected theoretical perspectives and concepts with a student-friendly format.

GBP 22.99GBP 18.39 Add to basketGBP 70.00GBP 56.00 Add to basketGBP 22.99GBP 18.39 Add to basketGBP 22.99GBP 18.39
Understanding social citizenship
Themes and perspectives for policy and practice
This updated edition of Understanding social citizenship provides an understanding of citizenship in relation to UK, EU and global welfare institutions. The second edition contains new topical sections on 'Cameron's Conservatism' and the EU and A8/10 migration in the UK.

GBP 22.99GBP 18.39 Add to basketGBP 22.99GBP 18.39 Add to basketGBP 22.99GBP 18.39
Using Theory to Explore Health, Medicine and Society
This student-friendly textbook uses theoretical perspectives to bring to life social theories relating to health and illness. including binge drinking, obesity, the prominence of therapy and the search for happiness.

GBP 24.99GBP 19.99 Add to basketGBP 75.00GBP 60.00 Add to basketGBP 24.99GBP 19.99 Add to basketGBP 24.99GBP 19.99
Ageing, health and care
The ageing of the population has enormous policy implications for health care. This important new textbook, written by a leader in the field, covers key questions such as the fitness of older people in the future, the widening inequalities in the health of older people and how health in old age reflects habits and behaviour in earlier life.

GBP 24.99GBP 19.99 Add to basketGBP 75.00GBP 60.00 Add to basketGBP 24.99GBP 19.99 Add to basketGBP 24.99GBP 19.99
European societies
Mapping structure and change
This comprehensive textbook provides a thorough analysis of the nature of European societies across the expanded EU member states. It address a range of issues relating to Europeanisation and key topics such as inequality, migration, poverty, population and family, the labour market and education.

GBP 27.99GBP 22.39 Add to basketGBP 75.00GBP 60.00 Add to basketGBP 27.99GBP 22.39 Add to basketGBP 27.99GBP 22.39
Child slavery now
A contemporary reader
Around 210 million children are still in slavery today. This groundbreaking book shows why they remain locked in slavery, the ways in which they are exploited and how they can be emancipated. It also reminds us that all consumers are implicated in modern childhood slavery.

GBP 27.99GBP 22.39 Add to basketGBP 75.00GBP 60.00 Add to basket
How social security works
An introduction to benefits in Britain
A broad, accessible introduction to the benefit system in Britain which can help readers to make sense of the system in practice.

GBP 26.99GBP 21.59 Add to basketGBP 75.00GBP 60.00 Add to basketGBP 26.99GBP 21.59 Add to basketGBP 26.99GBP 21.59
Assessment in youth justice
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of assessment and intervention planning with young people who offend .

GBP 22.99GBP 18.39 Add to basketGBP 70.00GBP 56.00 Add to basketGBP 22.99GBP 18.39 Add to basketGBP 22.99GBP 18.39