Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

Year 1: Initially you will focus on the famous Beveridge Report of 1942, which identified the 'Five Giants' of want, disease, squalor, ignorance and idleness. You will examine policies and services such as health and social security, which were created to eradicate postwar social problems.

You will also have the opportunity to study newer social problems, such as homelessness, juvenile delinquency and drug misuse. You will conclude with a look at the future of key policy areas.

You will also study two other subjects in year 1 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2: The second year aims to build on material outlined in the first year, introduce key concepts and principles and address important issues in public policy. You will examine different ideologies such as collectivism, anti-collectivism, feminism and greenism; how policy is made; how policy is delivered;
various case studies, which are all informed by our current research.

You will also study one or two other subjects in year 2 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4: If you successfully complete the courses in first and second years you may progress to two further years of study for an Honours degree.

You can choose to study Public Policy on its own for a Single Honours degree or in combination with another subject for a Joint Honours degree.

There are four core courses for Single Honours students: Policy analysis and evaluation; Policy design and delivery; Social research and investigation; Dissertation.

Joint Honours students who wish to write their dissertation in an area of public policy must also take the course Social research and investigation.

Over the two Honours years you will also choose subjects from a diverse range of topics to suit your interests.

Entry Requirements

2025 entry requirements

Standard entry: 5 Highers at AAAAA (by end S6 with min BBBB after S5) including English and a humanities subject.

Entry to year 2 may be possible with 3 Advanced Highers at AAA plus above Highers.

Widening access entry: 4 Highers at AABB or BBBB (by end S6) including English and a humanities subject. Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.