(Full time) 2021 start
Politics and Social Policy BA

Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
This degree combines social policy and politics, allowing you to examine the complexity of society and learn about the social, cultural and political processes that shape our day-to-day lives. As a Politics and Social Policy student you will gain expertise in analysis, research, critical thinking and more as you develop an understanding of key topics.
In addition to areas such as formations of modernity, comparative politics and key debates in social policy, you’ll study the organisation and structure of society and consider the changing nature of human action, as well as the political theories that underpin our political systems and the social forces that shape political life. Using examples from around the world, you’ll gain a firm grounding in the institutions and practices of modern political systems while exploring social values and the impact of social divisions.
We offer a wide range of optional modules, enabling you to develop your interests in specialist areas such as the sociology of gender, security studies, disability and development or global terrorism and violence. Throughout the course, you’ll gain a diverse set of skills that will be valuable to you as a citizen, as well as for your future career plans.
Studying in the School of Sociology and Social Policy
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Course content
Core modules in Year 1 will give you a firm grounding in each subject. You’ll learn about different political systems around the world and be introduced to big ideas in political theory, examining how power really operates in society. At the same time, you’ll learn more about the processes that have shaped modern societies and the social, political, economic and cultural influences that have shaped the UK’s welfare state. A choice of optional modules will equip you with the research skills you need in the social sciences.
In Year 2 you’ll take another two compulsory modules that cover key debates in social policy and build on your understanding of social research and also choose one from two political theory modules. You’ll also choose from optional modules covering issues in social policy and politics, such as welfare policy or disability studies, and political systems around the world, including Africa, China, the US and EU. Further optional modules will allow you to gain specialist knowledge in more specific aspects of each subject, such as international relations, security studies, the sociology of health or crime and regulation.
By your final year, you’ll have the research and analytical skills to undertake your dissertation – an independently researched project on a social policy topic of your choice. You’ll build your course around this: you’ll choose another key debate module in social policy, and then select from a wider range of advanced modules in both subjects. These could allow you to focus on topics such as class divisions, gender and violence, protest movements or the rise of extreme right parties in across Europe.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Comparative Politics 20 credits
- Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introduction to Political Ideas 20 credits
- Formations of Modernity 20 credits
- Social Policy: Poor Laws to the Present 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will choose up to 20 credits of optional modules.
- Understanding and Researching the City 20 credits
- Understanding and Researching Contemporary Society 20 credits
Discovery modules
Depending on the number of optional modules selected, you may choose up to 40 credits of discovery modules.
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods 20 credits
- Key Debates in Social Policy 20 credits
- You will choose 20 credits from the below:
- Revolution and Reaction: Political Problems in the 20th Century 20 credits
- Justice, Community and Conflict 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will choose 40 to 60 credits of optional modules from lists in the school.
- State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic 20 credits
- The Conservative Party Since 1945 20 credits
- Spin Doctors and Electioneering 20 credits
- Politics and Policy in the EU 20 credits
- Politics of Contemporary China 20 credits
- State and Politics in Africa 20 credits
- United States Politics 20 credits
- Crime, Law and Regulation 20 credits
- Disability Studies: An Introduction 20 credits
- The Sociology of Gender 20 credits
- Crime, Race and Ethnicity 20 credits
- Debates in Childhood and Youth 20 credits
- The Sociology of Culture 20 credits
Discovery modules
Depending on the number of optional modules selected, you may choose up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- You will choose 40 credits from the below:
- Dissertation 40 credits
- Social Policy Dissertation 40 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will choose up to 80 credits from lists of optional modules in the school.
- State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic 20 credits
- British Foreign Policy 20 credits
- Prime Ministers and British Politics 20 credits
- The Politics of national identity in the UK 20 credits
- Land, Fuel and Agriculture 20 credits
- International Development and Social Policy 20 credits
- Violence and Reconciliation in Africa 20 credits
- Britain and the EU 20 credits
- Europe in the World 20 credits
- American Foreign Policy 20 credits
- Nuclear Weapons and Global Politics 20 credits
- Terrorism: Concepts, Debates, Cases 20 credits
- Philosophy of Human Rights 20 credits
- Radical Political Ideas: Marx, Nietzsche, Schmitt, Foucault, Kristeva 20 credits
- Video Games: Politics, Society and Culture 20 credits
- Disability and Development 20 credits
- State Crime and Immorality 20 credits
- Contemporary Children, Young People and Families 20 credits
- Global Terrorism and Violence 20 credits
- Gender, Technologies and the Body 20 credits
- Ethnicity and Popular Culture 20 credits
Discovery modules
Depending on the number of optional modules selected, you may choose up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you gain a diverse set of skills. These will include seminars and workshops where you can discuss in more depth the topics set out in traditional lectures. We emphasise the importance of participation, presentation skills and group work.
Independent study is also a vital element of the course, as it allows you to develop your research and critical skills while preparing for taught sessions.
You’ll also have a personal tutor – one of our academics – who will be on hand to offer you guidance and support on academic issues, such as module choices, as well as career and personal matters.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Modules will use a variety of assessment methods. As well as traditional exams, you could also be asked to complete projects based on essays and case studies, policy briefs, group presentations, work logs, research briefs, project proposals or development agency reviews. In your final year you’ll also submit a 12,000 word dissertation.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB
We don't ask for specific A-level subjects however, in general you should be in the process of studying social science, arts and humanities subjects for A-level. See our accepted subjects document to see which subjects we accept.
When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ.
GCSE: grade 4/C or above in Mathematics.
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Access to HE Diploma
Complete 60 credits with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher
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BTEC
DDD
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, D3, M1
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International Baccalaureate
35 overall (6,5,5 higher)
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
(Leaving Certificate): AAAAAB
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AAAB overall (AB at advanced level)
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Other Qualifications
All applicants will need to have GCSE Mathematics at grade 4/C or above or equivalent.
We do not require A-level Sociology or Politics for courses in the School of Sociology and Social Policy – we design Year 1 modules for students both with and without previous knowledge of the subject.
We accept A-level General Studies.
However, in general you should be in the process of studying Social Science, Arts and Humanities subjects for A-level. See our Accepted A-level subjects document to see which subjects we accept.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer:
BBB at A level. Applicants must also meet the University’s GCSE matriculation standard and pass the Access to Leeds module.
For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.
If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, we offer a foundation year for UK students who meet specific widening participation criteria. Learn more about the BA Social Science (foundation year).
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Sociology and Social Policy Undergraduate Admissions Team.
International foundation year
If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:
- University of Leeds International Foundation Year (IFY)
- Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)
- Study Group Leeds International Study Centre (LISC)
If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Social Sciences Taught Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £20,250 (per year)
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.
EU students starting in 2021/22
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.
Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
Graduate destinations
Our graduates secure employment with some of the biggest UK companies in human resources, communications management, broadcasting and advertising. They are also ideally equipped to work in the public and third sector including in the civil service, teaching, youth work, fostering/children’s services, probation services, social work, prison service, housing and homelessness prevention.
Postgraduate opportunities
Graduates from this programme are well prepared for postgraduate study across a range of disciplines. Our recent graduates have gone on to study sociology, social policy, social research, teacher training, journalism, occupational therapy, human resources, marketing, town planning, social work, criminal justice studies.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. Thats one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 300 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Read more about Study Year Abroad.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.