BA Social and Political Sciences (with a year in industry)
About this course
BA (Hons) Social and Political Sciences (with a year in industry) is an undergraduate degree spanning sociology and social policy and politics and international relations. Core topics include Policy Analysis. The course incorporates a year in industry. 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. The second year examines deeper societal themes through compulsory modules including Capitalism and the Public Good and Researching Policy and Society. Optional modules across the course allow students to explore diverse subjects like Health and Illness, Humans and Other Animals, Popular Culture, The Media and Society, and War and Peace. The final year involves an Independent Study Module alongside advanced options such as Crime, Media and Culture, Global Transformation of Health, and Green Politics.
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 231 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 75%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 265 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 6%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 81 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 11%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 7%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 6%
- Legal professionals: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 67%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
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 280 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 96%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
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
- Understanding Self in Society
- Introduction to Political Theory: States, Liberty and Revolution
- Criminal Justice and Inequality
- The Psychological Mind in a Social World
- Social Harm and Injustice
- Introduction to International Politics: Global Hierarchies and Global Orders
- York Policy Lab
- Capitalism and the Public Good
- Researching Policy and Society
- Health and Illness
- Humans and Other Animals
- People and the State
- Popular Culture, The Media and Society
- Social Interaction and Conversational Analysis
- Societies and the Climate Crisis
- Gender Sexuality and Inequalities
- Body and Society
- Urban Pasts and Futures
- Working in the Criminal Justice System
- Election and Voting Behaviour
- Human Rights and Wrongs
- Politics of Development
- War and Peace
- State, Economy and Society
- The Politics of Gender
- Politics in the UK
- The US and Global Politics after the Cold War
- The Rising Powers
- Critical Global Security Studies
- Policy Think Tank
- Crime and the Life Course
- Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
- Communities, Participation and Creating Change
- Enabling Places and Spaces: Exploring Social Perspectives on Disability and Mental Health
- Social Inequalities
- Victimology and Victimisation
- Future Worlds of Work
- Left Behind Places
- Global Social Problems
- Crime and Justice in the Online Space
- Stigma, Power and Resistance
- 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
- Welfare States in Crisis
- Policing and The Police
- Housing and Homelessness: Overcoming Inequality
- Prisons and Penal Policy
- Wellbeing of Children and Young People
- Vulnerability, Deviance and Social Control
- Migration, Immigration and Social Policy
- Gender, Violence and Justice
- Environmental Justice, Harm and Policy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social and Political Sciences (with a year in industry) 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 (with a year in industry) at University of York do next?
88% 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 (with a year in industry) at University of York?
88% 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 (with a year in industry) at University of York?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
Does BA Social and Political Sciences (with a year in industry) at University of York include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BA Social and Political Sciences (with a year in industry) at University of York?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.