MA Social Policy and Sociology
About this course
MA (Hons) in Social Policy and Sociology, a sociology and social policy degree centred on the study of societal structures and policy-making processes. The programme includes a period of study leading to a final honours classification across four academic years. The first year covers foundational concepts through social change, drug use, race, ethnicity, and gender. Year 3 examines specific areas such as family policy, labour market policies, social inequalities, criminal justice, health policy, education policy, and eco-social policy. Year 4 focuses on institutional settings and governance structures through 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 33%: 27 offers from 81 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 79%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 69%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 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: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- London: 15%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 70%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Modules
- social change
- drug use
- race
- ethnicity
- gender
- 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 Sociology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £40,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of MA Social Policy and Sociology 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 Sociology at University of Edinburgh?
79% 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 Sociology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 199 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Social Policy and Sociology at University of Edinburgh?
33% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 27 offers from 81 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Social Policy and Sociology 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 Sociology at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.