MA Social Policy and Law
About this course
MA (Hons) in Social Policy and Law, a Social Policy and Law degree combining legal principles with policy analysis. Core topics include Research Methods. The programme involves study of the Scottish Legal System, public law, and various domestic and international policy environments. Throughout the degree, students encounter structured learning across multiple academic years. The first year introduces the Scottish Legal System and Public Law of the UK and Scotland. By the third year, students study family policy, labour market policies, social inequalities, criminal justice, health policy, education policy, and eco-social policy, alongside training in qualitative and quantitative research methods. The final year examines institutional frameworks including the European Commission, the UK Government, the Scottish Government, local authorities, and voluntary organisations.
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: English Literature, English Language or combined English at B) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 43%: 6 offers from 14 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 107 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 64%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 64%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 245 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 97%
- Left higher education: 3%
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: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Customer service occupations: 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 235 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- London: 10%
- South East: 1%
- Scotland: 85%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 285 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 69%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Access course: 6%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- Scottish Legal System
- Public Law of the UK and Scotland
- family policy
- labour market policies
- social inequalities
- criminal justice
- health policy
- education policy
- eco-social policy
- courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods
- a course that will teach you to analyse and communicate policies from multiple lenses (economic, political and sociological)
- the European Commission
- UK Government
- Scottish Government
- local authorities
- voluntary organisations
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Social Policy and Law at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £41,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,500 and £52,000. The £41,500 median after five years is £14,000 more than the UK median for Social policy.
What do graduates of MA Social Policy and Law 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 Social Policy and Law at University of Edinburgh?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Social Policy and Law at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 204 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Social Policy and Law at University of Edinburgh?
43% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 6 offers from 14 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Social Policy and Law at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Social Policy and Law at University of Edinburgh?
97% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.