Politics and Social Policy

Politics and social policy are disciplines that examine how collective decisions are made and how those decisions shape the conditions of social life. Politics is concerned with power: who holds it, how it is organised, how it is exercised through institutions and parties and governments, and how it is contested by social movements and citizens. Social policy examines the outcomes that political decisions produce for people's welfare: the design and delivery of healthcare, education, housing, social security, and social services, and the way those systems affect inequality, opportunity, and wellbeing across the population.

Studying them together gives you a uniquely complete picture of how the political and social worlds interact.

At the University of Stirling, this four-year full-time degree develops your understanding of both disciplines in depth, engaging with political theory and comparative politics alongside the analysis of social policy across welfare states and different political contexts. A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution and to develop a comparative perspective on how different countries organise and deliver social welfare. Stirling has strong research in politics and social policy, and its Scottish context adds particular interest for students curious about devolution, constitutional politics, and the distinctive character of Scottish social policy.

Graduates from Politics and Social Policy programmes are well placed for careers in government, policy research, public services, and the voluntary sector. The civil service, local government, think tanks, health and social care organisations, housing associations, and international development agencies are all significant employers of people with this combination. Many graduates also work in politics itself, in political parties, campaign organisations, and advocacy groups.

The analytical and research skills the degree develops are valued in journalism, consultancy, and the academic study of politics and society. Postgraduate study in politics, social policy, public administration, or social work is a natural next step. The typical entry tariff is 184 points.