2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
BSc Social Policy (L400)
Course overview
Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAB
A-level contextual offer: BBB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
3 year(s) full-time
6 year(s) part-time
Part-time study with daytime, weekday teaching.
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Part-time: Contact socsci-ug-admissions@bristol.ac.uk for more information and to apply.
Intercalation
Current medical, dental or veterinary science students can apply for entry onto the third year of this course.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£22,200 per year, international students
Part-time tuition fees will normally be charged on a pro rata basis
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Social Policy provides an exciting opportunity to critically analyse contemporary social issues related to human wellbeing, inequality, disadvantage and crime. You will explore real-world challenges in a global context, drawing on social, political, public policy and economic theories.
Social Policy at Bristol addresses some of the key questions of our time. What should we do about inequality? Why does poverty persist? Who should pay for care for the elderly? What can be done about the climate crisis? How can citizens engage with policy?
Our BSc Social Policy course is one of the longest-running social policy degrees in the country and it consistently scores high in university subject rankings.
Graduates of the course have gone on to achieve success in a wide range of careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Alternatively, the course provides a strong foundation for furthering your studies in public policy.
Course structure
The first year introduces key concepts and ideologies and familiarises you with theoretical, comparative and historical analyses. It also develops your research and critical thinking skills as a social scientist.
Years two and three allow you to explore your interests in greater depth through a wide range of optional units which focus on contemporary, real-world social and political issues. Students may also choose a work placement option in the second year, providing the opportunity to gain employment-related skills and experience in an organisation connected to your studies.
The final-year dissertation is 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.
Go to programme catalogueEntry 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.
A-level standard offer
AAB
BTEC
DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
80% overall
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB, and Standard Higher: AAABB
Access to HE Diploma
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.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
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.
Cambridge Pre-U
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.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile C qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS, or your application form, to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
