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.

Year Abroad

This programme includes the opportunity to undertake a Year Abroad, giving you the chance to gain invaluable life experience by immersing yourself in a new culture.

Year in Industry

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

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.

We've enhanced our modules to deliver an engaging learning experience, designed to help you develop the skills employers are looking for. Discover what's on offer and feel inspired by the modules you can study.

Explore Modules

Course type

Year 1 (Level 4)

FHEQ 4 Undergraduate / HECert

Compulsory Modules

Module Name

Module Duration

Module Code

Politics and the People

September-January (TB1)

Introducing Social Policy: Key Concepts and History

Being a Social Scientist

Disinformation, Ideology, and Bias: Researching and examining political data

January-June (TB2)

Freedom Justice and Equality: Key Debates in Political Philosophy

Principles and Challenges for Social Policy

Year 2 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate / HEDip

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

The State and Political Institutions

Devolution, Policy Making and Social Change

Poverty and Social Justice

The History of Political Thought

Optional Modules

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Please select 20 credits from the list below ensuring that you have a balance of credit (60 credits in total) over the two semesters.Politics Optional Modules

Guidance

Disunited Kingdom? Class, Race, Gender and Social Division in Twentieth-Century Britain

Philosophy of the Enlightenment

Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations

America in Crisis: From the Tet Offensive to Trump

Global Justice and Human Rights in the Age of Globalisation

The Global First World War

A Matter of Life and Death: Exploring Existential Philosophy

Contemporary Moral Controversies

International Security

Global Summit Simulation

Contemporary Wars and Conflicts

British Politics and Public Policy

The Global South in International Relations: Diplomacy, Development, and Resistance

NOTE : Please select 20 credits from the list below ensuring that you have a balance of credit (60 credits in total) over the two semesters.Social Policy Optional Modules

Health Policy

Investigating Gender

Year 3 (Level 6)

FHEQ 6 Undergraduate / Honours

Researching Politics 1

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Students must choose 60 credits from the following. Students must not exceed 60 credits in one teaching block. Social Policy Modules

Principles of Social Policy

The Family and Children: Ethics and Policy

Who’s in, who’s out? Inclusion and Exclusion: Socio/Criminological Perspectives

Social Movements, Social Policy and Social Change

Race and Nation

Choose Exactly 40 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Please choose ONE of the following:Politics Dissertation

Dissertation

September-June (TB1+2)

Senedd Cymru/The Welsh Parliament

Please contact Jonathan Bradbury to express your interest for PO-3323 j.p.bradbury@swansea.ac.uk

NOTE : Please select 20 credits from the list below ensuring an even balance of credit across each semester. Politics Optional Modules

NOTE : Select 20 credits from the list below ensuring an even balance of credit over each semester.Social Policy Optional Modules

Year 3 (Level 5)

FHEQ 5 Undergraduate Sandwich Year

Study Abroad Placement

Year 4 (Level 6)

NOTE : Students must choose 60 credits from the following. Students must not exceed 80 credits in one teaching block. Social Policy Modules

Placement Preparation: Year in Industry / Year in Practice

NOTE : Select 20 credits from the list below ensuring an even balance of credit across each semester. Politics Optional Modules

NOTE : Select 20 credits from the list below ensuring an even balance of credit across each semester. Social Policy Optional Modules

Year in Industry - School of Social Sciences

Academic Year

Entry Requirements

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

Explore Entry Requirements

International applicants can refer to our undergraduate international entry requirements for country-specific qualifications.

A level (or equivalent) typical offer

DMM - MMM

UK Access

45 Merits at Level 3

T Levels

Mixed Qualifications

96 - 120 UCAS Tariff Points from 3 highest qualifications

Use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth.

International Baccalaureate

30 Points

English Language (International Applicants only)

IELTS 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each component)

Careers and Employability

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

Teaching

Research posts in universities and social research companies

Policy and research roles in the public and third sectors

Community development

Postgraduate study

More Careers and Employability Information

The Careers and Employability Team will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs

Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers

Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities

Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics

Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding

Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

As a Swansea University graduate, you can access lifelong careers and employability support.

How You're Taught

At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed

education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods,

carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course. Most courses are taught

in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to

actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider

university community.

You can expect a mix of

lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions -

including laboratory work, skills training, or studio-based teaching where

relevant to your discipline. These sessions are designed to encourage active

participation, collaboration, and the development of both subject-specific

and transferable skills.

Digital learning tools are also used to enhance your

learning experience. These may include:

Recorded lectures to support flexible study and

revision.

Virtual labs or simulated environments, particularly in

science, healthcare, and technical disciplines.

Online resources on the university’s virtual learning

environment (Canvas), including videos, reading materials, quizzes, and

discussion forums.

This approach enables you to engage with and review content at your own pace

while benefiting from the structure and support of in-person teaching.

This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or

bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh

speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh

Provision expander below.

N.B If you are an international student studying with a Student Route

Visa, please note that your timetabled activity, along with any

additional supervisory activity (with Swansea University staff present)

will take place on campus. In line with UKVI protocol, these sessions

will be monitored and data made available on request.

Welsh Provision

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know

that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email us to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and

we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the

following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.

The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.

The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to

study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.

A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.

One-to-one support through the medium of Welsh to improve your academic skills.

An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence

of your Welsh language ability for future employers, namely the WJEC and Coleg Cymraeg's Welsh Language

Certificate.

Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch

of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

Meet Your Lecturers

Our degrees are taught by experts, who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to our students.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our Politics and Social Policy staff pages.

Tuition Fees

3 Year Full Time

September 2026

4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad

4 Year Full Time With a Year in Industry

Fees for full time undergraduate UK students may increase in subsequent years of study in line with the maximum regulated fee level set by the Welsh Government

Fees for full time Undergraduate International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's

scholarships and bursaries

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.

For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus

Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)

Purchase of books or texts

Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your

personal tutor, the Centre for Academic

Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas

such as:

Academic writing

Maths and statistics

Critical thinking

Time management

Digital skills

Presentation skills

Note taking

Revision, memory and exam techniques

English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability,

mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have

Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and

requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

We care about our students and our aim is to ensure that you achieve the best degree classification. We have a personal tutoring system where you will be allocated a Personal Tutor. We also have an “open door” policy where our academic teachers are available to talk to you at any time about any queries or academic concerns you may have.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our

Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a

programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year

abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection

process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement,

you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme

without a semester or year abroad.

International summer programmes are open to students from all schools.

Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as

Sri Lanka, South Korea, Fiji, Bali, the USA and across Europe. For more

information about programmes and eligibility visit our

Summer Abroad webpages.

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad.

International summer programmes are open to students from all colleges. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU and international students.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application

deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can

find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Additional Information

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BA Politics

International Relations with Modern Languages, BA

BA International Relations

BA Politics and International Relations

BA Politics and International Relations with a Year Abroad

International Relations and American Studies, BA (Hons)

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Programme Disclaimer

The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the

descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of

application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable

or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision,

either before or after enrolment.

The information below is for students starting their courses in 2016 or

The University will not normally make very substantial changes to courses

(for example, a change to the course title, significant restructuring,

substantial change in course content, or the introduction of a progression

hurdle) which would impact on students who have already begun their course.

In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for the University to make

such a change after acceptance of a place by an offer-holder. This will not

happen less than 5 months before enrolment. The offer-holder will be

notified of the change and will have the opportunity to withdraw their

application and apply elsewhere.

Other changes could be made to course content, study location, delivery and

teaching provision because of developments in the relevant subject,

enhancements in teaching or assessment practice, requirements of external

accreditation processes, changes in staffing, resource constraints or

changes in the availability of facilities. Such changes will take account of

the reasonable expectations of prospective and current students.

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

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

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