BA Social and Public Policy
About this course
BA (Hons) in Social and Public Policy, a social policy degree examining social problems and how societies attempt to solve them nationally and internationally. Core topics include Policy Analysis. The course incorporates strong links with the broader policy community, opportunities to engage with leading policy organisations, and an optional study abroad year. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory modules such as Power, Policy and Social Progress, Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy, Economy and Society, and Social Science and the Chocolate City. The second year shifts towards applied methods and critical perspectives with compulsory modules including Policy Think Tank, Capitalism and the Public Good, Researching Policy and Society, and Social Inequalities, alongside optional choices like Crime and the Life Course and Future Worlds of Work. In the final year, students complete a compulsory Independent Study Module alongside optional modules covering topics such as Welfare States and Economic Crises, Housing and Homelessness: Overcoming Inequality, and Global Social Problems.
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: BBB IB: 31 points overall BTEC: DDM We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus B at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus BB at A level Distinction, Merit in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus B at A level
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 58%
- Academic support: 80%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 70%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 54 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 64%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 13%
- 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%
- Sales occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 43%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 255 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 30%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 25%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- 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
- Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
- Economy and Society
- Social Science and the Chocolate City
- Social Harm and Injustice
- Criminal Justice and Inequality
- The Psychological Mind in a Social World
- Policy Think Tank
- Capitalism and the Public Good
- Researching Policy and Society
- Social Inequalities
- 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
- Victimology and Victimisation
- Future Worlds of Work
- Independent Study Module
- Drugs: Prevalence, Policy and Practice
- Welfare States and Economic Crises
- Housing and Homelessness: Overcoming Inequality
- Prisons and Penal Policy
- Wellbeing of Children and Young People
- Global Social Problems
- Stigma, Power and Resistance
- Crime and Justice in the Online Space
- Vulnerability, Deviance and Social Control
- Migration, Immigration and Social Policy
- Policing and the Police
- Gender, Violence and Justice
- Environmental Justice, Harm, and Policy
- Education Policy: Divisions & Inequalities
- Left Behind Places
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social and Public Policy at University of York earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £36,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Social policy.
What do graduates of BA Social and Public Policy at University of York do next?
91% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Social and Public Policy at University of York?
90% 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 Public Policy at University of York?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 31 points in the IB. The average entrant had 118 UCAS points.
Does BA Social and Public Policy 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 Public Policy at University of York?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.