BA Social and Public Policy (Ethics and Justice)
About this course
BA (Hons) Social and Public Policy (Ethics and Justice), a social policy degree combining social and public policy with moral, legal, and political philosophy. Core topics include Policy Analysis. Students can apply to spend an additional year studying abroad at an international partner institution, extending the programme duration to four years. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory modules such as Power, Policy and Social Progress, Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy, Power and Consent, and Ethics. The second year develops methodological and theoretical capabilities via compulsory modules including Policy Think Tank, Researching Policy and Society, Social Inequalities, and Knowledge and the Social Sciences. Optional modules in the second and third years allow specialisation in areas such as criminal justice, ethics, welfare, and philosophical traditions. The final year centres on an independent study module alongside optional topics covering housing, global problems, and political philosophy.
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 67 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 71%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 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 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%
- Legal professionals: 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 15 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
- Power and Consent
- Social Science and the Chocolate City
- Ethics
- Criminal Justice and Inequality
- Policy Think Tank
- Researching Policy and Society
- Social Inequalities
- Knowledge and the Social Sciences
- Capitalism and the Public Good
- Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
- Communities, Participation and Creating Change
- Crime and the Life Course
- Aristotle
- Applied Ethics
- Logic and Paradox
- Love, Law and Solidarity: Recognition from Rousseau to Honneth
- Metaphysics
- Politics and Freedom: Anarchism and Conservativism
- Religious Ethics
- 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 & Resistance
- Crime and Justice in the Online Space
- Philosophy of Physics
- From Marx to Critical Theory
- Mind and Morality
- Contemporary Issues in Bioethics
- Experimental Philosophy: The Philosophy of Psychology
- Buddhism as Philosophy
- Philosophy of Christianity
- 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
- Foundations of Mathematics
- Further Topics in Ethics
- Consciousness
- Cognitive Anomalies, Decision-Making, and Democracy
- 9 Art Works, 9 Philosophical Problems
- Action and Agency
- German Idealism: Moral, Legal and Political Philosophy
- Experimental Philosophy: The Psychology of Philosophy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social and Public Policy (Ethics and Justice) 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 (Ethics and Justice) 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 (Ethics and Justice) at University of York?
85% 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 (Ethics and Justice) at University of York?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 31 points in the IB. The average entrant had 126 UCAS points.
Does BA Social and Public Policy (Ethics and Justice) 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 (Ethics and Justice) at University of York?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.