MA Health in Social Science
About this course
MA (Hons) in Health in Social Science, an undergraduate degree centred on cognitive neuroscience and psychology and social policy and health & social care. The programme is delivered across four years. The first year covers the foundations through health and illness, associated beliefs and behaviours, and the related concepts of deviance and stigma. The second year focuses on current key health issues of local and global importance, understanding how knowledge is produced and used in real-life situations, and the role of language in communicating about health in society and in healthcare settings. The third year builds on research skills, explores compassion, empathy and ethics as critical to care, and examines mental health problems and the therapeutic alliance. The fourth year concludes with critical challenges in interdisciplinary work, effective health and social care partnerships, and leadership and change management.
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: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 75%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 79%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- 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
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Research and Development (RandD) and Other Research Professionals: 5%
- 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 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 55%
- Baccalaureate: 15%
- Other HE qualification: 25%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- health and illness
- associated beliefs and behaviours
- the related concepts of deviance and stigma
- study current key health issues of local and global importance with expert researchers in the fields of drug policy, sexual health, mental health, disability and medical technology
- gain an understanding of how knowledge is produced and used in real-life situations
- be introduced to how language shapes societies and individuals
- focus on the role of language in communicating about health in society (for example the media and health promotion literature) and in healthcare settings
- gain hands-on experience in developing your own communication skills
- learn research skills
- explore compassion, empathy and ethics as critical to care
- examine care alongside consideration of the concept of the person, spirituality, individuality and dignity
- study mental health problems and the therapeutic alliance
- exploring nature's impact on health
- disability studies
- drug policy
- the body at the centre of a sociological exploration of wellbeing
- critical challenges in interdisciplinary work
- effective health and social care partnerships
- leadership and change management
- public health initiatives
- community collaborations for enhancing health at individual and community scales
- exploring nature's impact on health
- disability studies
- drug policy
- the body at the centre of a sociological exploration of wellbeing
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Health in Social Science 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 £4,000 more than the UK median for Psychology (other).
What do graduates of MA Health in Social Science 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 Health in Social Science 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 Health in Social Science at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 166 UCAS points.
Does MA Health in Social Science at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Health in Social Science at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.