Venues

Central Campus

Content

This programme will equip you with the knowledge to understand how policies affect society and the economy. It will also enable you to critically assess how policies are made, and what actors and processes influence the policy-making process.

Quantitative skills underpin effective evidence-based planning in government, in the private sector and in international non-governmental organisations. As a graduate, your combined skills set will be in demand.

Year 1:
You will take Social Policy & Society, which debates needs, rights and responsibilities, with a focus on the needs and rights of children and the responsibilities of parents.

You will study Politics of the Welfare State, which examines social policy as a political issue, especially health, employment and education. You can also choose optional courses from other academic areas. You will also take a non-credit course Fundamentals of Social Policy which provides key learning skills.

Year 2:
You will take Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives. In this course, you will compare different approaches to social policy in European and non-European countries.

You will also take Research Skills for Social Policy and Evidence, Economy and Social Policy.

Year 3:
You can study optional courses that cover areas such as children's rights, employment policies, family policy, criminal justice and health policy. You will also take at least one course on research methods.

Year 4:
You will complete a dissertation.

You can also select option courses to deepen your knowledge of quantitative methods.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry:
4 Highers at AAAB (first sitting) or 4 Highers at AAAA (two sittings) including Maths plus English at National 5.

Widening access entry:
4 Highers at ABBB (two sittings) including Maths plus English at National 5. Highers at BBB must be achieved in one sitting.