BA Social and Political Sciences
About this course
BA (Hons) Social and Political Sciences, a sociology and social policy and politics and international relations degree covering societal structures, governance, and public affairs. Core topics include Policy Analysis. The course runs over three years full-time, with an option to extend to four years by undertaking a study abroad placement. The first year introduces foundational subjects through compulsory modules such as Power, Policy and Social Progress, Political Analysis, Social Science and the Chocolate City, Theorising the Social World, and Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy, alongside optional modules like York Policy Lab. The second year examines advanced themes with compulsory modules including Capitalism and the Public Good and Researching Policy and Society, while optional choices cover topics such as Societies and the Climate Crisis and War and Peace. The final year centres on independent research through the compulsory Independent Study Module, complemented by a wide selection of optional modules spanning subjects like AI in Society, Green Politics, and International Crisis Diplomacy.
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: AAB IB: 35 points BTEC: DDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus A at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus AA at A level Distinction, Distinction in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus A at A level
What students say
Based on about 27 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 81%
- Learning opportunities: 69%
- Assessment and feedback: 59%
- Academic support: 81%
- Organisation and management: 59%
- Learning resources: 75%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 30%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 15%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Sports and fitness occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- 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 200 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 18%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 37%
- South East: 14%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Power, Policy and Social Progress
- Political Analysis
- Social Science and the Chocolate City
- Theorising the Social World
- Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
- Social Harm and Injustice
- The Psychological Mind in a Social World
- Criminal Justice and Inequality
- Introduction to Political Theory: States, Liberty and Revolution
- York Policy Lab
- Capitalism and the Public Good
- Researching Policy and Society
- Societies and the Climate Crisis
- Gender, Sexuality and Inequalities
- Body and Society
- Urban Pasts and Futures
- Working in the Criminal Justice System
- Popular Culture, The Media and Society
- Humans and Other Animals
- Social Interaction and Conversational Analysis
- Health and Illness
- People and the State
- Politics of Development
- War and Peace
- Election and Voting Behaviour
- The Politics of Gender
- Human Rights and Wrongs
- Politics in the UK
- State, Economy and Society
- The United States and Global Politics after the Cold War
- Critical Global Security Studies
- The Rising Powers
- Crime and the Life Course
- Communities, Participation and Creating Change
- Policy Think Tank
- Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
- Enabling Places and Spaces: Exploring Social Perspectives on Disability and Mental Health
- Victimology and Victimisation
- Future Worlds of Work
- Social Inequalities
- Independent Study Module
- Crime, Media and Culture
- Global Transformation of Health
- Crime, Gender and Sexuality
- Morbidity, Culture and Corpses
- Spiritual Realities
- Talk at Work
- The Racial State
- AI in Society
- Africa and International Politics
- Constitution and Territorial Ideologies in Britain and Ireland
- India and its Neighbourhood
- Democracy and Emergency
- Development Paradigms
- Morality and Modern Warfare
- Governmentality: Michel Foucault and the Analytics of Power
- Green Politics
- International Crisis Diplomacy
- Political Psychology and Public Opinion
- Politics of Peace after Civil War
- The Global Food System
- Global Politics of Nuclear Weapons
- Global Sustainability and Energy Policy
- Political Transition in the Middle East: A Century of Conflict
- The Labour Party and Socialism
- The Politics of (Post-) Colonialism
- Karl Marx
- Border Politics: Contemporary Perspectives on Sovereignty, Mobility and Citizenship
- Drugs: Prevalence, Policy and Practice
- Prisons and Penal Policy
- Global Social Problems
- Crime and Justice in the Online Space
- Stigma, Power and Resistance
- Policing and The Police
- Vulnerability, Deviance and Social Control
- Gender, Violence and Justice
- Left Behind Places
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social and Political Sciences at University of York earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £37,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £48,500. The £37,000 median after five years is £10,500 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BA Social and Political Sciences at University of York do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Social and Political Sciences at University of York?
81% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Social and Political Sciences at University of York?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 129 UCAS points.
Does BA Social and Political Sciences at University of York include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Social and Political Sciences at University of York?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.