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Social Policy and Sociology

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

This joint honours degree explores different ways of developing an understanding of key issues within public and social life. It combines the focus of Social Policy on wellbeing with Sociology's insight into how contemporary societies operate.

In your Sociology studies, you will explore and critically analyse social structures, institutions, values and practices, as well as the methodologies needed to analyse social relations and social processes. The programme provides a sound grounding in contemporary theoretical debates, their application to a number of substantive areas, and the philosophical and practical issues involved in undertaking empirical research.

The study of Social Policy provides an exciting opportunity to critically analyse contemporary social issues related to human wellbeing, inequality, disadvantage and crime. You will explore real-world challenges in a global context, drawing on social, political, public policy and economic theories.

Both departments encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment as staff respond in their teaching to new research.

Skills development is woven throughout your programme and you will graduate with valuable transferable skills that ensure you are well placed to pursue your career goals.

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:
LL43
Institution code:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

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: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB - BBB

Standard offer: AAB including an essay-based subject. Contextual offer: BBB including an essay-based subject. Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

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

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

Access to HE Diploma - D: 24 credits M: 21 credits

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; and at least 12 credits (including 9 at Distinction) in a single essay-based subject. Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

Scottish Higher - AAABB

Standard Higher: AAABB.

Scottish Advanced Higher - AB

Advanced Higher: AB including an essay-based subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 31 - 34 points

Standard offer: 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Contextual offer: 31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/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.

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

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.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must also meet these GCSE profile requirements: standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent). Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/gcse/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

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

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.

Data from:
This course and 9 other social policy courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

63% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

68 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

81 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£25500Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£25500Year 1

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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