Politics and Social Policy, BA (Hons)

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Course Overview

Our Politics and Social Policy degree prepares you to drive change and shape the future, by exploring how power and politics shape our world, and the scope for achieving social justice.

You will tackle essential concepts and theories, applying them to real social and political challenges. Explore how systems operate, how needs and priorities emerge, and how these challenges are debated and addressed.  Topics include British and European politics and public policy, inequality and social justice, democracy and international conflict, and competing social priorities, such as health, education and housing.

As a student on our Politics and Social Policy course you will build essential skills for work in the world beyond study.  Throughout the programme, you will sharpen research, analysis, communication, and ethical reasoning. These are transferable skills that will open doors in any career, including the very wide array of relevant subjects.

Why Politics and Social Policy at Swansea?

Based in the School of Social Sciences, you will benefit from being part of a lively and diverse environment, with a strong reputation for its research and teaching.

Social Policy at Swansea is ranked:

  • 1st in the UK* and 100% overall satisfaction** (NSS 2025)
  • 5th in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)

*Based on the average positivity score for questions 1 - 26 NSS 2025
**Q28, NSS 2025 and 5th in UK for student satisfaction

Politics at Swansea is ranked:

  • 8th in the UK Social Policy (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
  • 17th in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)

You will have the competitive option of undertaking an internship module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with Assembly Ministers.

Your Politics and Social Policy Experience

Our programme combines the core foundations of Politics and Social Policy with the freedom to shape your own path—whether you’re focused on career preparation, developing a specialist area, or planning for postgraduate study.

You will have the chance to take an internship at the Senedd/Welsh Parliament, and opportunities to work in industry or study abroad. Your Year Abroad could be spent in locations such as the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, or Singapore, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

The opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enables you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Politics and Social Policy Employment Opportunities

Students on this course typically develop excellent oral and writing skills, and you will learn to present your ideas in a range of formats, along with strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Our graduates are truly international and are employed all around the world.

Typical next steps for our graduates include:

  • Government and politics
  • Humanitarian organisations
  • Business
  • Media and public relations
  • Law
  • Teaching
  • Research posts in universities and social research companies
  • Policy and research roles in the public and third sectors
  • Community development
  • Postgraduate study

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Politics and Social Policy, BA (Hons)

Politics and Social Policy with a Year Abroad, BA (Hons)

Politics and Social Policy with a Year in Industry, BA (Hons)