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Social Policy

  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
Clifton Campus
More about University of Bristol

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Our BSc Social Policy degree gives you the chance to get to the heart of the big issues that shape people's lives. It provides an exciting opportunity to critically analyse contemporary social issues related to:

  • human well-being

  • inequality

  • disadvantage

  • crime.

You'll explore real-world challenges in a global context, drawing on social, political, public policy and economic theories.

BSc Social Policy at Bristol addresses some of the key questions of our time:

  • What should we do about inequality?

  • Why does poverty persist?

  • Who should pay for care for the elderly?

  • What can be done about the climate crisis?

  • How can citizens engage with policy?

Our course is one of the longest-running social policy degrees in the country and consistently scores highly in university subject rankings. We're ranked second in the UK for 'Social work and social policy' research (THE analysis of REF 2021).

Our graduates have gone on to achieve success in a wide range of careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors. This course also provides a strong foundation for furthering your studies across the social sciences.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Clifton Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Part-Time • 6 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
B78

University of Bristol 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

Application codes

Institution code:
B78

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB

Standard offer: AAB.

Contextual offer: BBB.

Please visit bristol.ac.uk/contextual-offers for more information about contextual offers.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAABB

Higher: AAABB.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 24 Merit: 21

Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above.

Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

Scottish Advanced Higher
AB

Advanced Higher: AB.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 34

Standard offer: 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level.

Contextual offer: 31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level.

Please visit bristol.ac.uk/contextual-offers for more information about contextual offers.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

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

DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

Requirements are as for A-levels where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C.

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2027/social-policy/bsc-social-policy/#entry-requirements

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.

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. We consider a large range of contextual factors when making application decisions.

If you receive and accept an offer from the University of Bristol, and you meet the terms of your offer in full, you will be accepted.

Learn more on the University of Bristol website

International entry requirements

The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate study. If you studied at a school, college or university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualification equivalences, scholarships and details of our education representatives in your country/region. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland & InternationalTBC

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

Fees are subject to annual review and are liable to rise each year. Home fees will be set in line with UK government policy and updated as per their guidance, while international fees increase annually in line with expected inflation rises. Visit bristol.ac.uk/ug-fees-funding for further information, including estimated fees for subsequent years and typical total costs.

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