BSc International Social and Public Policy (L410)

2024 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

What do you think are the most important social and global issues? Where do you see injustice or inequality? What can our leaders do about them? What can you do about these issues?

The dynamics of social and public policies are highly complex and often have unforeseen consequences. This course gives you the tools to explore, analyse and critically evaluate policy issues in and across societies in a range of geographical and cultural contexts. International Social and Public Policy draws on several disciplines, including economics, political science, sociology, behavioural science and philosophy, asking you to compare key ideas and theoretical frameworks.

This multidisciplinary, international degree integrates the analysis of government policy with the understanding of broader global political, economic and social change. At its core, the BSc International Social and Public Policy seeks to explore, analyse and critically assess contemporary social and public policy issues in and across societies.

Course structure

In the first year you will develop an understanding of key concepts and theories of comparative and international social and public policy. This enables a deeper understanding of the ways in which social, political and economic issues are shaped and responded to nationally, and internationally.

In the second year you will explore policy making, implementation, and international political economy in global, national and local contexts, addressing key public concerns and real-world issues from an international perspective. You will also choose from optional units in a range of international policy areas and have the option to undertake a work placement.

The final-year dissertation offers an opportunity to choose a topic for in-depth investigation and independent work.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

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Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAB
DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

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34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
80% overall
Advanced Higher: AB, and Standard Higher: AAABB
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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