The concept of "European social model" includes the active position of the state in relation to social problems in society. Social protection systems in European countries are developing effective measures to combat manifestations of social risks:
- Poverty
- Loss of a job
- Loss of efficiency.

The European social model includes:
- Combating poverty and social exclusion
- Provision of pensioners, disabled and unemployed
- Regulation of labor relations
- Family Policy
- Health system
- Education system.
The constitutions of European countries contain clauses on the social responsibility of the state and the social rights of citizens along with political and civil rights. European states pay great attention not only to the organization of social work, but also to the training of personnel for this work.

Preparation of social work is carried out by:
- Public Universities
- Medical universities
- Pedagogical universities
- Teacher training colleges
- Personnel Centers
- Technological universities
- Professional lyceums.
But for the organization and management in the work of the European social system, it is necessary to have a higher education, at least a bachelor's degree.
Society under the influence of various factors is constantly changing, and social work must also be rebuilt, new priority areas are emerging that require qualified specialists. For applicants who want to devote their lives to helping people in need, European universities offer various training programs within the framework of social protection of the population. In which country and which university it is worth getting the chosen specialty today, the ranking "The best universities with the study of social policy and management in Europe-2022" will tell.

Promising areas of specialization:
- Gerontologist or consultant for healthy old age
- Autistic Adaptation Specialist
- Refugee and Migrant Specialist
- Specialist in the resolution of social conflicts and the protection of human rights.
Best Social Policy & Administration universities in Europe 2026 - QS World University rankings
| 1 | University of Oxford |
| 2 | The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) |
| 3 | University of Cambridge |
| 4 | The University of Edinburgh |
| 5 | Utrecht University |
| 6 | Sciences Po |
| 7 | University of Bristol |
| 8 | KU Leuven |
| 9 | UCL |
| 10 | Leiden University |
| 11 | Stockholm University |
| 12 | King's College London |
| 13 | Aarhus University |
| 14 | University of York |
| 15 | University of Amsterdam |
| 16 | The University of Manchester |
| 17 | University of Copenhagen |
| 18 | Hertie School |
| 19 | Bocconi University |
| 20 | Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna |
| 21 | Central European University |
| 22 | Erasmus University Rotterdam |
| 23 | European University Institute |
| 24 | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin |
| 25 | Queen's University Belfast |
| 26 | Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin |
| 27 | Universidad Autónoma de Madrid |
| 28 | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona |
| 29 | Universitat de Barcelona |
| 30 | University College Dublin |
| 31 | University of Antwerp |
| 32 | University of Bath |
| 33 | University of Birmingham |
| 34 | University of Glasgow |
| 35 | University of Helsinki |
| 36 | University of Leeds |
| 37 | University of Southern Denmark (SDU) |
| 38 | Universität Konstanz |
| 39 | Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne |
| 40 | Cardiff University |
| 41 | Complutense University of Madrid |
| 42 | ETH Zurich |
| 43 | Essex, University of |
| 44 | Freie Universitaet Berlin |
| 45 | Ghent University |
| 46 | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine |
| 47 | Lund University |
| 48 | Politecnico di Milano |
| 49 | Radboud University |
| 50 | Roskilde University |
| 51 | The University of Sheffield |