MA Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods
About this course
MA (Hons) in Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods, a mathematics and statistics and social policy degree focused on political systems, policy-making processes, and quantitative data analytics. Core topics include Statistics, Policy Analysis, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course runs over four years and integrates interdisciplinary learning across social sciences. The first year covers foundational concepts through Social Policy and Society, Research Skills for Social Policy, Politics of the Welfare State, and Introduction to Statistics for Social Science. The second year builds competence with Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives, Understanding Public Policy, Evidence, Economy and Social Policy, and Doing Social Research with Statistics. The third year advances analytical capabilities via Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Principles and Practicalities for Social Policy, Analysing and communicating Social Policy, and Statistical Modelling.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from A*AA to AAB (required: Mathematics at B or AS Mathematics at A) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
What students say
Based on about 41 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 80%
- Gained a higher qualification: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 25%
- Information Technology Professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 140 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 20%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 54%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Social Policy and Society
- Research Skills for Social Policy
- Politics of the Welfare State
- Mathematics for Social Science
- Introduction to Statistics for Social Science
- social anthropology
- international relations
- sociology
- political science
- social work
- economics
- philosophy
- history
- Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives - In this course, you will compare different approaches to social policy in European and non-European countries
- Understanding Public Policy - In this course, you will develop the skills needed to analyse specific policies created by governments with regard to their goals, structures and effectiveness. You will engage with external practitioners to understand the practical implications of their academic knowledge to the world of real policy-making.
- Evidence, Economy and Social Policy - This course will focus on the economic dimension of social policy, and the (mis)use of underlying evidence
- Doing Social Research with Statistics
- social anthropology
- international relations
- sociology
- political science
- social work
- economics
- philosophy
- history
- Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Principles and Practicalities for Social Policy
- Analysing and communicating Social Policy
- Statistical Modelling
- social inequality
- labour markets
- childhood
- health policy
- education policy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £43,500. The £33,500 median after five years is £9,500 less than the UK median for Statistics.
What do graduates of MA Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods at University of Edinburgh do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods at University of Edinburgh?
83% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 165 UCAS points.
Does MA Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods at University of Edinburgh?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.