This popular joint degree programme provides a grounding in both social policy and economics, two subjects which complement and enrich each other. **Social policy** Social policy at the University of Edinburgh will enable you to engage with confidence in many of the political debates of our time. We deal with a wide array of policy areas, for example: * health * welfare * labour markets * education * family and childhood We discuss how policies affect our civic culture through studying political engagement and citizen participation. Our programme will equip you with the knowledge to understand how policies affect society and the economy. It will also enable you to critically assess how policies are made and what actors and processes influence the policy-making process. **Economics** In economics, you will examine the incentives that shape and reconcile the important decisions made by: * individuals * businesses * governments * societies You will also explore the macroeconomic outcomes that may arise from those decisions, such as: * economic fluctuations * growth * unemployment * crises We work closely with: * governments * non-governmental organisations (NGOs) * third sector and interest representation groups * international organisations * other external actors **Who the programme is for** Our degrees are for students who are interested in how political actions affect the real lives of people. Our programmes are designed to foster critical thinking about policy to ensure our graduates are able to look beyond news headlines and understand in detail why certain political decisions are taken and what their impact may be. **Programme benefits** * We have close relationships with the Scottish and UK governments, as well as European and global institutions. You will have the opportunity to be immersed in a diverse range of contemporary policy developments. * International comparative analyses are one of our main strengths. We place a strong emphasis on providing you with empirical research skills, so that you can become a critical researcher yourself. * Take a social policy degree programme at the University of Edinburgh, and you will be challenged to re-evaluate how you look at politics, society and the economy with the ability to improve others’ understanding as well.
A Level: {'start': ['A*', 'A', 'A'], 'end': ['A', 'A', 'B']} | Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at B or AS Mathematics at A. GCSEs: English at C or 4. | Scottish Higher: AAAB | AAAB by end of S5 or AAAA by end of S6 (Standard). ABBB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Mathematics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme | from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL (Standard). 34 points with 655 at HL (Minimum). Required subjects: HL: Mathematics at 5. SL: English at 5; Mathematics at 6 (if not at HL).
Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online. total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. total 92 with at least 20 in each component (before 21 Jan 2026); total 4.5 with at least 4.0 in each component (from 21 Jan 2026). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. total 176 with at least 162 in each component. total 176 with at least 162 in each component. ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2027, the tuition fees will be £10,050. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme — 2027 Classroom
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