BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations & Social Policy

As a politics student, you'll look at the work of governments and their policies and study the behaviour of those who govern - and who they are governing - both at home and abroad. You'll also gain knowledge of domestic and international institutions and issues relating to conflict and cooperation. We cover diverse and relevant problems, such as international terrorism to the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum.

Politics graduates can go on to work in several areas, with many pursuing academic research careers in the UK, Europe and North America.

Social Policy examines how societies distribute resources and develop services to meet individual and social needs. Critical social policy issues discussed include poverty; economic, race, age and gender inequality; social justice health; education; criminal justice and housing.

It utilises qualitative and quantitative methods to improve our understanding of how societies organise their resources to meet individual and social needs and how they measure progress in these areas. 

This programme allows you to learn more about Scottish society's social and economic challenges and place these in a broader international perspective. It draws on history, sociology, anthropology, economics, law, psychology, social anthropology and politics.

A levels

Year 1 entry: ABB-BBB
Year 2 entry: AAA-ABB

(GCSE English Language 6/B or Literature 6/B, GCSE Maths 4/C)

International Baccalaureate

Year 1 entry: 32-30
Year 2 entry:  36-32

HNC

Year 1 entry

Social Sciences: A in Graded Unit; Maths National 5 B, or equivalent

HND

Social Sciences: AAB in Graded Units may enable second-year entry to Politics & International Relations with History or Psychology with six HNC/HND credits in each subject.

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.