MA Social Policy and Politics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Social Policy and Politics, a social policy and politics and international relations degree centred on the theory and practice of how societies are governed and how policies affect society. The course runs over four years and provides a foundation in both disciplines. The first year covers concepts and debates alongside the global dimension of politics through Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates and Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension. The second year examines comparative politics and political theory via Comparative Politics in a Globalised World and Political Thinkers. The third year explores specific areas such as family policy, labour market policies, social inequalities, criminal justice, health policy, education policy, and eco-social policy. The final year investigates governance settings including the European Commission, UK Government, 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: no specific A level subjects required) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 40%: 33 offers from 83 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 67%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 79%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 69%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 58 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 62%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 145 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 46%
- South East: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 37%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Modules
- Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
- Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
- Comparative Politics in a Globalised World
- Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
- family policy
- labour market policies
- social inequalities
- criminal justice
- health policy
- education policy
- eco-social policy
- the European Commission
- UK Government
- Scottish Government
- local authorities
- voluntary organisations
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Social Policy and Politics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £52,000. The £37,500 median after five years is £10,000 more than the UK median for Social policy.
What do graduates of MA Social Policy and Politics at University of Edinburgh do next?
83% 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
85% 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Social Policy and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
40% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 33 offers from 83 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Social Policy and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.