Skip navigation

Politics and Social Policy

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with time abroad
  • 28/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Birmingham

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Our Politics and Social Policy BA combines two impactful disciplines, equipping you with the skills to drive societal change locally and globally. Benefit from global opportunities, professional placements, and a range of optional modules. With a focus on research and real-world impact, this course prepares you for careers in government, policy, or international organisations. You’ll also have the chance to participate in Model NATO, gaining invaluable experience in diplomacy and decision-making, with events in Washington DC, London, and Lisbon.

Politics looks at how power is exercised, how political decisions are made, and who these decisions are made by. On this programme you will learn about campaigns, elections, protest movements, policy issues and political ideals. You will explore different political arguments, rival theories and alternative explanations, whilst developing your skills in analytical and critical enquiry, debating and self-motivation.

Social Policy is an interdisciplinary degree, drawing on subjects such as sociology, politics, psychology, history, media studies, and philosophy; hence the degree is suitable for students currently studying a range of A level subjects. Social Policy joint honours degree programmes enable students to blend the interdisciplinary approach to Social Policy with the study of a complementary discipline.

Reasons to study this programme

  • Study a combination theory with practical learning, offering critical thinking, problem-solving, and policy-shaping expertise valued by employers while preparing you for careers in government, NGOs, and international organisations

  • Engage in Model NATO events globally, enhancing diplomacy and crisis-management skills. The opportunity to complete a Professional Development module enables you to apply your learning in practice to significantly boost your employability.

  • Choose from diverse optional modules, tailoring your studies to align with your career aspirations, broadening your expertise in both political science and social policy.

  • Learn from renowned academics, gaining insights from leading experts in politics, social policy, and international relations, providing a research-focused, globally relevant education.

  • Gain global perspectives and cross-cultural skills by studying at an overseas university, enhancing your employability and broadening your academic and personal horizons.

Modules

For a full list and description of modules on offer, please visit the course page on our website.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time with time abroad • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
LL24
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
LL24
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not accepted

A level

AAB
3 A Levels required. General Studies: Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all considered on a case by case basis.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32 points
6,5,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

T Level

All subjects considered; Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The historic entry grades range shown below includes students admitted with alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes. These are typically 1 or 2 grades below the standard offer. You can find information on these schemes using the link below.
You can check your eligibility to receive an offer for this course using our Offer Calculator using the same link.

Learn more on the University of Birmingham website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The Government has yet to confirm the tuition fees payable by Home students for 2026/27 and subsequent years. The provisional tuition fee shown above relates to the academic year 2025/26. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees without delay.

For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.

Related courses

At University of Birmingham

Like this page