MA Social Policy and Law

The joint MA Social Policy and Law allows you to gain a disciplinary understanding in core social policy analyses as well as law.

Social policy

We will introduce key ways to analyse how government policies affect society.

We use a variety of important concepts, like power and inequality, to make sense of societal structures. This allows us to look at the impact of policy on different groups of people (for example, based on class, gender or race).

Law

You will develop knowledge and understanding of the theory, concepts and rules of law.

Study within the Edinburgh Law School is grounded in Scots law and the Scots legal system. You will also be made familiar with the law and legal systems of:

• the other parts of the United Kingdom
• the European Union
• the wider world

You will gain insights into particular methods of understanding society through the lens of legal studies.

You will apply those insights to real-world problems that stretch beyond the reach of those disciplines. This will help you understand the impact particular decisions have on different parts of society.

This allows you in Years 3 and 4 to take specialisation courses in both disciplines.

Courses

You will be able to choose from a range of specific social policy courses (between two and four) that cover particular policy areas or processes.

You will also choose specific courses from Law (between two and four), in addition to the central methods and approaches courses in both disciplines.

You can usually choose which subject area to write your dissertation in.

Year 1

Social policy

You will take Social Policy and Society.

In this course we will introduce you to core concepts in the analysis of key government policy areas. We do this by contrasting various lenses through which we can understand social policy. You will explore the consequences of different policy decisions by governments on different parts of society.

You will also study Politics of the Welfare State.

This courses examines social policy as a political issue in the UK. It introduces you to the politics of welfare, an area that constitutes one of the largest sets of government expenditure. You will be confronted with debates about the different ways of delivering welfare, and the interplay between the state and the private sector.

Law

You will take the compulsory law courses:

• Scottish Legal System
• Public Law of the UK and Scotland

Year 2

Social policy

You will take Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives.

In this course you will compare different approaches to social policy in European and non-European countries.

In addition, you will take two social policy courses, which are likely to focus on research skills and the use of evidence in politics and the economy. Further details are subject to our current review of our pre-honours curriculum for Year 2 students.

Law

You will take 40 credits of law courses including the compulsory course Public Law and Individual Rights.

Year 3

You will select optional courses that cover a wide array of policy fields such as:

• family policy
• labour market policies
• social inequalities
• criminal justice
• health policy
• education policy

You will also take:

• courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods
• a course that will teach you to analyse policies from multiple lenses (economic, political and sociological)

You will take a further 80 credits of law option courses.

Year 4

You will continue to take social policy courses.

You will also complete an individual research project.

This may involve collecting and analysing data and information from sources such as:

• the European Commission
• UK Government
• Scottish Government
• local authorities
• voluntary organisations

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

Most of the teaching in this programme takes place in the University's Central Area. You will have access to the University's computer facilities and libraries.

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of Social and Political Science and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Take a virtual tour of the School of Social and Political Science

Study abroad

You will be assessed through a wide range of methods that will enable you to develop different academic and practical skills.

Our assessment methods include:

• traditional academic essays and exams
• policy analyses and briefs
• policy blogging
• analyses of political actors
• project work
• seminar engagement

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• seminars
• individual supervision

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through a wide range of methods that will enable you to develop different academic and practical skills.

Our assessment methods include:

• traditional academic essays and exams
• policy analyses and briefs
• policy blogging
• analyses of political actors
• project work
• seminar engagement

Most of our graduates move into careers in policy or research within areas such as:

• government
• voluntary organisations
• pressure groups
• commercial organisations

These programmes also equip you with skills and knowledge that could be applied to careers in teaching, or to the management and delivery of services, whether public or commercial.

Some graduates have gone on to study for professional qualifications in:

• housing management
• social work
• human resource management

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAB by end of S5 or AAAA by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: AAA.
• IB: 37 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: English at B.
• A Levels: English Literature, English Language or combined English at B. English Language and English Literature GCSE, both at A or 7, are accepted in place of A Level English.
• IB: HL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Social Policy and Law

Additional costs

None.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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