Social and Political Sciences (with a year in industry) BA
AAB at A level; graduates earn a median £24,000 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
97% of entrants came with A levels · 92% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AABtypical A level offer
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
Who actually got in: 97% with A levels, 1% with the IB. 1% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 180 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications5
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma | — |
| IB | 35 points | — |
| T Level | Distinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in AccountingDistinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Bus | A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting |
| Scottish Highers | AABBB | — |
Years 1–4
What do you study?
5compulsory modules in year 1, 7 optional
Compulsory modules this year: social & cultural skills 78% · transversal skills 20% · law & public administration 3%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 5 core, 7 optional · 100 credits ≈ 1,000 hours
- Political Analysis
What you learn (2)
- identify core concepts and debates in political analysis history and development
- gather and interpret political data using analytic approaches to justify conclusions
- Theorising the Social World
What you learn (5)
- explain key concepts and debates in social theory
- discuss the development of social theory concepts in historical context
- apply theoretical ideas to analyse the social world
- evaluate methodological implications of social theory concepts
- communicate complex social-theory ideas in oral and written form
- Power, Policy and Social Progress
What you learn (4)
- explain concepts relevant to analysing policy problems
- explain conceptions of power and their relation to policy decisions
- discuss how unequal power relations underpin social divisions
- propose policy reforms addressing unequal power relations
- Social Science and the Chocolate City
What you learn (3)
- present data and evidence relating to a social issue
- evaluate differing perspectives on defining and solving social problems
- locate and use appropriate academic sources
- Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
What you learn (7)
- identify key dimensions of current social and public policy debates
- describe how key policy actors operate within policy processes
- explain how ideas and interests influence social and public policy issues
- critique social and public policy issues using interdisciplinary perspectives
- select relevant evidence sources to support policy analysis
- apply social science theory to address real-world policy challenges
- apply analytical thinking to critically evaluate contemporary policy issues
7 optional modules
- Introduction to Political Theory: States, Liberty and Revolution
What you learn (9)
- identify key concepts in political theory
- describe major historical and contemporary debates in political theory
- construct arguments using conceptual analysis
- formulate normative judgements on political questions
- present reasoned arguments on political theory topics
- write clearly about political theories and concepts
- translate theoretical ideas into accessible written language
- evaluate arguments critically and reflectively
- recognise cultural differences in political perspectives
- Introduction to International Politics: Global Hierarchies and Global Orders
What you learn (13)
- identify key issues shaping contemporary world politics
- describe explanations and policy responses to global political issues
- identify major theoretical debates in international relations
- explain how different theories frame responses to global issues
- analyse how power and hierarchy shape global political order
- evaluate the role of inequality in shaping world politics
- explain how framing of issues shapes research questions asked
- explain how theoretical choices influence data collection and conclusions
- reflect on the complexity of global political phenomena
- contextualise one's own position within global political processes
- discuss the basis for conceptions of the global public good
- construct a well-organised argument using relevant sources
- communicate political concepts and facts clearly and concisely
- York Policy Lab
What you learn (12)
- identify categories of public policy and the actors involved in shaping them
- describe influences that affect the development of public policies
- frame a real-world issue as a defined policy problem
- evaluate alternative policy options using analytical criteria
- justify the selection of a preferred policy option
- describe difficulties encountered when carrying out policy analysis research
- locate and apply relevant empirical data to a policy question
- identify tools used in applied policy analysis
- analyse how policy analysis tools have been applied to evaluate policies
- write a policy brief presenting recommendations for a professional audience
- deliver an oral presentation of policy recommendations to policy-makers
- reflect on personal development achieved through collaborative teamwork
- Understanding Self in Society
What you learn (9)
- describe key theories in social psychology
- explain methods used in social psychological research
- apply social psychological concepts to interpret everyday situations
- situate psychological phenomena within broader social contexts
- relate personal identity to wider societal structures
- identify relevant academic literature related to a research topic
- evaluate literature to support empirical claims
- communicate complex psychological ideas in written form
- communicate complex psychological ideas orally
- Social Harm and Injustice
What you learn (9)
- explain the concept of social justice
- describe real-world implications arising from social justice issues
- describe the historical development of social harm theory
- explain the relationship between social harm theory and criminology
- outline the key arguments underpinning social harm theory
- reflect on policy implications of social harm and justice theories
- apply social harm and justice theories across diverse sectors and policy areas
- compare local and global applications of social harm and justice theories
- evaluate how social harms and injustices affect different groups differently
- The Psychological Mind in a Social World
What you learn (5)
- identify key psychological approaches
- explain how psychological approaches help understand social behaviour
- explain how psychosocial theory accounts for contemporary social issues
- propose possible solutions to social issues using psychosocial theory
- describe how psychological approaches explain social divisions and inequalities
- Criminal Justice and Inequality
What you learn (1)
- describe key theories explaining the causes of inequality in crime and disorder governance
Year 2 · 2 core, 32 optional · 40 credits ≈ 400 hours
- Researching Policy and Society
What you learn (6)
- explain how social research informs public policy decisions
- evaluate the quality and validity of published research studies
- identify ethical issues arising in social research practice
- describe political influences affecting the conduct of social research
- apply quantitative methods to analyse social data
- apply qualitative methods to collect and interpret social data
- Capitalism and the Public Good
What you learn (4)
- apply relevant theories to analyse the role of public goods in capitalist systems
- examine the effects of markets and corporate conduct on workers and consumers
- assess the impact of corporate activity on communities and public institutions
- evaluate how public and social policies mitigate or exacerbate corporate harm
32 optional modules
- Human Rights and Wrongs
What you learn (5)
- describe political factors shaping human rights struggles in different settings
- identify strategies used by human rights advocates in varied contexts
- compare advocacy strategies across differing political opportunities
- evaluate case studies of struggles for freedom, dignity and justice
- apply an intersectional lens informed by histories of oppression to case analysis
- Politics in the UK
What you learn (6)
- explain key concepts used in the study of UK politics
- describe major theories relevant to UK political analysis
- apply political concepts and theories to historical developments in UK politics
- apply political concepts and theories to current developments in UK politics
- construct a coherent written argument on a UK politics topic
- present a clear oral argument on a UK politics topic
- Politics of Development
What you learn (8)
- differentiate between competing theories of development
- critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of development theories
- describe current debates and issues within development studies
- explain the theoretical basis underlying proposed development solutions
- analyse the political consequences of development policy choices
- explain the role of domestic institutions in shaping development outcomes
- explain the role of international institutions in shaping development outcomes
- apply empirical evidence to assess institutional influence on development
- The Politics of Gender
What you learn (10)
- explain major theoretical approaches to gender studies
- analyse domestic and international political issues through a gender perspective
- evaluate the political significance of gender in policy debates
- design independent research into gender and politics topics
- apply suitable research methods to gender-related political questions
- identify solutions to gendered problems in domestic and international politics
- work independently to address gender-related political challenges
- communicate gender studies concepts clearly in a political context
- describe diverse perspectives within gender studies and politics
- assess the broader social implications of differing gender perspectives
- State, Economy and Society
What you learn (7)
- describe the historical development of political economy
- explain contemporary international dynamics of political economy
- apply political and international relations theories to specific cases independently
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of theoretical frameworks using critical reasoning
- test theoretical claims against empirical evidence where relevant
- analyse empirical data relevant to political economy problems
- present complex arguments clearly through suitable communication formats
- War and Peace
What you learn (7)
- describe the historical origins and development of conflict and peace processes
- explain current national and international dynamics of conflict and peace
- apply relevant theories and concepts to analyse issues of war and peace
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of theoretical approaches using critical reasoning
- test theoretical claims against empirical evidence where appropriate
- analyse empirical data relating to conflict and peace issues
- present complex arguments clearly through appropriate communication media
- The US and Global Politics after the Cold War
What you learn (10)
- explain the importance of US power in global politics post-Cold War
- identify differing grand strategy perspectives in US foreign policy debates
- explain rival interpretations of US power within grand strategy debates
- apply these concepts to analyse US foreign policy since the Cold War
- identify forms of resistance to US global power
- explain broader critiques challenging US power
- identify key trends in US foreign policy since the Cold War
- evaluate debates on the future of US power and global order
- present findings clearly both individually and collaboratively
- communicate evaluative arguments through structured academic writing
- Critical Global Security Studies
What you learn (4)
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of security theories
- describe key problems and debates in contemporary security
- apply security theories and concepts to analyse specific security problems
- assess the comparative merits of different security approaches
- The Rising Powers
What you learn (9)
- select and justify appropriate theories and concepts for a research question
- gather and interpret data relevant to a research topic
- formulate justified conclusions from research findings
- lead a team towards achieving a shared objective
- collaborate with peers on group projects and problem-based tasks
- deliver a group presentation summarising joint findings
- explain key concepts of international relations theory
- debate global issues using international relations perspectives
- apply international relations frameworks to real-world problems
- Election and Voting Behaviour
What you learn (11)
- explain the historical origins and development of electoral politics
- analyse current international dimensions of voting behaviour
- apply political theories and concepts independently to voting behaviour cases
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of political methods using empirical testing
- formulate independent research questions on election topics
- select appropriate methods to collect and interpret electoral data
- justify research conclusions based on gathered evidence
- develop solutions to political problems using theoretical and empirical analysis
- present complex political arguments clearly through appropriate media
- reflect critically on personal assumptions about political values
- compare differing cultural perspectives on the public good
- Working in the Criminal Justice System
What you learn (7)
- describe various job roles within criminal justice agencies
- compare different occupational roles in the criminal justice system
- evaluate current debates surrounding criminal justice employment
- analyse sociological concepts relevant to criminal justice work experiences
- apply criminological theories to practitioners' lived experiences
- present a scholarly argument using visual materials
- produce a written scholarly argument
- Societies and the Climate Crisis
What you learn (9)
- summarise key sociological literature on climate change
- evaluate the social consequences of the climate crisis
- evaluate societal responses to the climate crisis
- apply sociological theory to analyse environmental issues
- analyse links between climate change and global economic inequality
- analyse links between climate change, coloniality and injustice
- collaborate effectively within a team on shared tasks
- solve problems using structured reasoning approaches
- communicate ideas clearly in written and spoken form
- Gender Sexuality and Inequalities
What you learn (8)
- differentiate theoretical approaches to gender and sexuality
- evaluate competing frameworks for explaining gender and sexuality
- explain how social, cultural and historical factors shape gender expectations
- argue against biological determinism as an explanation for gender inequality
- identify how gender, sex and sexuality intersect with other social inequalities
- assess the interplay of structure and agency in bodily decision-making
- apply theoretical concepts to real-world global case studies
- critically evaluate conflicting positions on gender and sexuality debates
- Popular Culture, The Media and Society
What you learn (7)
- explain the sociological importance of popular culture spread via modern media
- critically analyse links between popular culture, media and society
- generate original perspectives on media and societal relationships
- collaborate within a team to examine social effects of media and popular culture
- structure and present ideas clearly to an audience
- evaluate theoretical and empirical research on popular culture and media
- synthesise findings from diverse studies into a coherent argument
- Body and Society
What you learn (12)
- explain core sociological concepts and theories of the body
- compare sociological perspectives on the body
- summarise key empirical studies on the sociology of the body
- describe case studies relevant to bodily sociology
- discuss key debates on the body in written form
- present debates on the body collaboratively in spoken form
- apply sociological concepts of the body to personal experience
- relate module theories to everyday life examples
- describe historical changes in embodiment practices
- compare contemporary embodiment practices across cultures
- critique eurocentric assumptions about bodily norms
- evaluate non-western perspectives on the body
- Humans and Other Animals
What you learn (8)
- describe the roles animals have held in human societies historically
- explain how animal roles have changed across different cultures
- evaluate how animals contribute to profit generation in capitalist economies
- evaluate how animals contribute to the production of knowledge
- compare expert and lay perspectives on the nature of animal life
- explain how animals are used to define human identity
- critique how animals shape distinctions between human and non-human categories
- relate academic theories to personal or everyday experiences
- Social Interaction and Conversational Analysis
What you learn (8)
- evaluate the argument that interaction underpins human social life
- critique major findings from existing conversation analysis studies
- assess how micro-level analysis contributes to sociological understanding
- apply conversation analytic methods to analyse original interactional data
- design a small-scale original research project using conversation analysis
- produce clear written analysis demonstrating critical academic reasoning
- present ideas confidently in spoken academic discussion
- manage own study tasks independently to meet academic goals
- Health and Illness
What you learn (7)
- explain core sociological concepts and theories relating to health and illness
- apply sociological theories to analyse specific health and illness cases
- describe key sociological research findings on healthcare issues
- evaluate research on lay beliefs about illness across different cultures
- analyse how social factors shape access to healthcare worldwide
- analyse how political factors shape healthcare provision globally
- construct a critical written argument supported by data analysis
- Urban Pasts and Futures
What you learn (9)
- diagnose social harms present in urban environments
- propose remedies and improvements to address urban social harms
- apply visual research methods to examine urban features
- critically analyse buildings and monuments in relation to urban themes
- evaluate how historical race, empire, gender and class inequalities shaped cities
- identify mechanisms that produce exclusion in cities
- communicate socially just visions for urban futures
- practise approaches that promote more equitable urban futures
- produce creative work engaging with contemporary urban life and change
- People and the State
What you learn (6)
- evaluate how rights, responsibilities and motivations shape political sociology
- analyse how politics and society interact in current events
- apply political sociology concepts to examine social issues
- use theoretical and empirical materials to support social analysis
- communicate ideas about state-individual relationships to varied audiences
- explain how intersectionality shapes citizenship in diverse contexts
- Victimology and Victimisation
What you learn (11)
- explain Christie's Ideal Victim Theory and its purpose
- evaluate the usefulness of Ideal Victim Theory for understanding victimisation
- apply Ideal Victim Theory to analyse varied victim scenarios
- evaluate criminal justice system responses to different victim groups
- evaluate government and NGO responses to different victim groups
- describe how intersecting identities shape experiences of victimisation
- explain how situational and social context constructs victim status
- analyse how dominant values and beliefs shape institutional responses to victims
- assess policy responses to victims of crime
- assess practice responses to victims of crime
- describe features of a victim-centred response for diverse forms of victimisation
- Crime and the Life Course
What you learn (7)
- explain the purpose and value of life course and developmental criminology
- apply life course criminology concepts to varied case scenarios
- evaluate criminal justice system responses to offending across the life course
- evaluate government and ngo interventions addressing criminality
- describe how intersecting social identities shape offending and desistance
- explain how crime and societal responses are socially constructed
- describe how perceptions of crime change over the life course
- Communities, Participation and Creating Change
What you learn (10)
- discuss core concepts of power, participation, community and social change
- describe various community-based approaches to social change
- outline theoretical traditions underpinning community-based social change approaches
- evaluate theories and practice models relevant to community-based action
- compare different forms of advocacy used in community practice
- apply theory and critical reflection to interpret social phenomena
- apply critical reflection to shape collaborative working practice
- construct persuasive arguments about contemporary social issues
- present approaches for collaboratively challenging the status quo
- produce short films using video editing software to communicate ideas clearly
- Future Worlds of Work
What you learn (10)
- explain economic, political, social and technological drivers shaping labour markets
- identify current challenges affecting working conditions
- assess the impact of working conditions on individual well-being and citizenship
- compare theoretical perspectives on changes in work and employment
- evaluate the contribution of different theories to understanding work change
- critique various data sources used to study labour markets
- analyse aims and outcomes of UK employment and labour market policies
- compare UK labour market policies with those of other european countries
- explain how employment policies interact with social protection systems
- contribute reasoned arguments to debates on the future of work
- Social Inequalities
What you learn (10)
- apply key concepts and theories to analyse social inequalities
- evaluate social inequalities and their policy implications
- identify different theoretical approaches to social inequalities
- critically assess how theoretical approaches shape policy development
- investigate inequalities across different policy areas
- assess empirical evidence relating to social inequalities
- evaluate different conceptualisations and measures of inequality
- apply measures of inequality in UK and comparative contexts
- communicate ideas clearly through written reports
- present data effectively to convey findings
- Policy Think Tank
What you learn (8)
- describe a structured framework for analysing public policy options
- evaluate alternative policy responses to a given problem using scientific evidence
- analyse a specific policy problem in depth
- appraise the evidence base relevant to a chosen policy problem
- explain the importance of evidence-based approaches in policy making
- describe different ways evidence can inform policy decisions
- explain the benefits of diverse teamwork for tackling complex policy challenges
- identify practical and ethical challenges in communicating policy recommendations clearly
- Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
What you learn (3)
- analyse current challenges facing the criminal justice system in England and Wales
- relate criminal justice problems to historical, social, cultural and economic change
- explain the harmful effects of crime on victims, communities and society
- Enabling Places and Spaces: Exploring Social Perspectives on Disability and Mental Health
What you learn (8)
- identify social determinants affecting mental health and disability
- analyse how social determinants shape mental health and disability outcomes
- apply social theories to inequalities affecting disabled people
- apply models of mental health to issues of social inequality
- evaluate policy debates on disability and mental health
- examine institutional approaches to supporting disability and mental health
- assess approaches that promote inclusion of disabled people
- engage with lived-experience perspectives of disability and mental health
- Global Social Problems
What you learn (8)
- explain the global dimensions of contemporary social problems
- evaluate the social, political and economic drivers of globalisation of social problems
- analyse policy debates at national, international and global levels on social problems
- describe the historical evolution of policy responses to global social problems
- identify institutions and actors involved in addressing global social problems
- explain relationships between institutions tackling global social problems
- analyse global social problems in relation to geo-political and economic divisions
- apply module concepts to critically assess a global social policy issue
- Crime and Justice in the Online Space
What you learn (7)
- identify key technological challenges facing criminal justice agencies
- analyse how technological change affects criminal justice practice internationally
- assess how everyday technology use shapes victimisation risk
- analyse individual experiences of technology to explain vulnerability to cybercrime
- critically evaluate mainstream criminological theories against current cybercrime trends
- identify regulatory and legislative responses to cybercrime
- analyse the effectiveness of policy responses to cybercrime
- Stigma, Power and Resistance
What you learn (5)
- relate stigma and power theories to dimensions of social difference
- analyse how dimensions of social difference intersect
- apply theoretical frameworks to examine stigma's impact on social groups
- explain the relationship between stigma, power and policymaking
- evaluate research strategies used to study stigma's reach and impact
- Left Behind Places
What you learn (9)
- explain factors contributing to the current state of left behind places
- describe social and cultural challenges facing left behind places
- describe economic and political challenges facing left behind places
- compare problems in UK and international left behind places
- identify the geographical spread of left behind localities
- compare similarities and differences among types of left behind places
- describe policies aimed at addressing left behind places
- evaluate limitations of policies targeting left behind places
- apply interdisciplinary social science knowledge to regional policy problems
Year 4 · 1 core, 42 optional · 40 credits ≈ 400 hours
- Independent Study Module
What you learn (11)
- apply advanced theoretical concepts to a chosen research topic
- identify suitable research approaches for a social science enquiry
- formulate a focused research question for independent study
- conduct independent research using primary or secondary data
- recognise ethical and political considerations in social research
- evaluate research data and literature with balanced judgement
- present research findings clearly in written form
- present research findings using visual materials
- manage an independent research project to meet deadlines
- respond constructively to critical feedback on own work
- solve problems encountered during extended independent study
42 optional modules
- Green Politics
What you learn (7)
- explain ethical perspectives on how humans should relate to nature
- distinguish green political thought from other political ideologies
- describe the distinctive features of ecological political ideas
- apply an ecological framework to analyse debates on political change versus continuity
- evaluate strategies used by green parties to promote sustainability
- assess how mainstream political parties address environmental sustainability
- evaluate the role of environmental movements in collective action for sustainability
- Karl Marx
What you learn (3)
- explain a major intellectual tradition in modern political thought
- apply conceptual analysis to problems in political practice
- explain connections between philosophy, economics, sociology, history and politics
- Border Politics: Contemporary Perspectives on Sovereignty, Mobility and Citizenship
What you learn (4)
- select relevant academic literature and sources on border politics
- formulate an academically-informed viewpoint on contemporary border practices
- present written arguments on border politics topics
- articulate spoken arguments within small group discussions
- The Labour Party and Socialism
What you learn (10)
- describe the historical origins and development of the Labour Party
- explain contemporary dynamics shaping the labour movement
- apply political theories and concepts to explain challenges facing the Labour Party
- design independent research on the labour movement using relevant theories
- select and use appropriate methods to collect and interpret data
- justify research conclusions with supporting evidence
- evaluate Labour Party policies using theoretical and empirical perspectives
- formulate policy recommendations based on analysis
- communicate reasoned conclusions on the Labour Party's development using theory and data
- reflect critically on differing visions of socialism in Labour Party research
- Political Transition in the Middle East: A Century of Conflict
What you learn (9)
- identify main forms of political transition in the Middle East
- identify recurring trends in Middle Eastern politics
- explain the causes of recurring political trends in the region
- explain economic factors driving political change in the Middle East
- explain historical factors driving political change in the Middle East
- explain social factors driving political change in the Middle East
- explain the significance of recent political changes in the region
- situate recent political events within the longer history of the region
- explain how trans-national links shape regional politics
- Governmentality: Michel Foucault and the Analytics of Power
What you learn (3)
- evaluate different theoretical approaches to governmentality
- explain key concepts in Foucault's analysis of power
- compare perspectives of theorists associated with governmentality studies
- Global Politics of Nuclear Weapons
What you learn (9)
- describe key empirical cases of nuclear proliferation and disarmament
- explain core concepts underpinning nuclear deterrence and non-proliferation
- identify competing theoretical frameworks linking nuclear issues to policy
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of rival explanatory frameworks
- synthesise diverse concepts to assess contemporary nuclear challenges
- critique ethical debates surrounding nuclear deterrence and security
- present structured, evidence-based arguments on nuclear policy issues
- conduct independent research using primary and secondary nuclear policy sources
- produce an analytical essay demonstrating depth of scholarly comprehension
- Africa and International Politics
What you learn (8)
- describe key dynamics shaping Africa's role in international politics
- analyse case studies illustrating African international relations themes
- identify strengths and weaknesses of theoretical approaches to African politics
- evaluate the explanatory power of competing political theories
- propose solutions to contemporary issues facing African states independently
- apply theoretical and empirical knowledge creatively to political problems
- communicate advanced political concepts clearly in written form
- present advanced political ideas effectively in oral form
- Morality and Modern Warfare
What you learn (10)
- explain the historical origins and development of international politics
- analyse the ethical and legal dimensions of contemporary global affairs
- apply political and international relations theories to specific cases
- formulate independent research questions in politics
- select and use appropriate methods to collect and interpret data
- justify research conclusions based on gathered evidence
- devise solutions to political problems using theoretical and practical perspectives
- analyse empirical data to inform political arguments
- present complex political arguments clearly through suitable formats
- apply political and international relations perspectives to real-world challenges
- India and its Neighbourhood
What you learn (10)
- describe major political events shaping South Asian politics
- interpret the significance of key political events in the region
- analyse how theoretical approaches explain South Asian political phenomena
- evaluate the application of key political concepts to regional cases
- justify the use of specific concepts such as clientelism and neoliberalism
- summarise current scholarly debates on South Asian politics
- construct a reasoned argument in spoken discussion
- produce a coherent written argument supported by evidence
- interpret scholarly texts to identify central arguments
- critically appraise theoretical concepts used in political analysis
- The Global Food System
What you learn (5)
- analyse key aspects of the global food system independently and critically
- explain the relationship between theory and practice in the food system
- interpret complex concepts and theories relating to the food system
- exercise critical judgement when assessing food system issues
- deliver effective oral and written presentations using academic sources
- Global Sustainability and Energy Policy
What you learn (11)
- describe energy policy developments across european countries
- explain causes and consequences of changes in european energy policy
- compare competing frameworks linking energy, economic and environmental policy
- critique frameworks explaining relationships between energy and social policy
- evaluate alternative explanations for energy policy change and integration
- generate original analytical perspectives on course themes
- research and synthesise data from diverse sources
- present arguments and concepts clearly in spoken form
- write concepts and arguments clearly and fluently
- manage own workload independently with initiative
- construct a reasoned argument supported by critical judgement
- The Politics of (Post-) Colonialism
What you learn (7)
- explain how colonial history shapes today's global political structures
- apply advanced theoretical frameworks to analyse colonial politics
- critically evaluate theories explaining postcolonial continuities
- construct arguments grounded in postcolonial political theory
- reflect critically on how knowledge about colonialism is produced
- describe alternative epistemologies originating from the Global South
- identify links between colonial power structures and knowledge creation
- Development Paradigms
What you learn (1)
- describe key political processes and problems in development
- Politics of Peace after Civil War
What you learn (8)
- describe key challenges faced by post-civil-war states
- evaluate competing explanations for varied post-war outcomes
- apply quantitative and qualitative evidence to assess arguments
- compare post-war experiences across different country types
- identify dynamics explaining similarities and differences across cases
- evaluate peacebuilding policies and approaches
- assess consequences of peacebuilding applications across contexts
- collaborate with peers to analyse peacebuilding cases
- Political Psychology and Public Opinion
What you learn (7)
- explain how personality traits relate to political behaviour
- describe psychological foundations underlying political ideologies
- explain how citizens form judgements on complex issues with limited information
- apply political psychology theories to analyse political participation
- apply political psychology theories to explain voting choices
- apply political psychology theories to evaluate political communication
- evaluate strengths and weaknesses of focus groups and surveys in public opinion research
- International Crisis Diplomacy
What you learn (8)
- explain how information shapes the outcomes of international crises
- apply theoretical debates to analyse current international crises
- identify strengths and weaknesses of rival crisis diplomacy approaches
- evaluate key debates on coercive diplomacy
- apply leader behaviour theories to real-world crisis situations
- evaluate diplomatic efforts made during crises
- formulate solutions to resolve international crises
- discuss factors determining the effectiveness of force and sanctions
- Democracy and Emergency
What you learn (10)
- describe key assumptions of major theoretical traditions on emergency powers
- compare debates between competing traditions of emergency powers theory
- apply theoretical frameworks to analyse concepts of emergency and exception
- analyse crisis situations using relevant conceptual tools independently
- formulate solutions to emergency politics problems using theoretical perspectives
- interpret empirical data to address emergency-related political issues
- present theoretical and empirical arguments about emergency politics clearly
- reflect critically on personal perspectives regarding emergency politics
- evaluate differing visions of the public good across cultures
- apply emergency politics theory to analyse real-world challenges
- Constitution and Territorial Ideologies in Britain and Ireland
What you learn (4)
- describe the constitutional ideologies shaping British and Irish politics historically
- explain how constitutional ideologies inform contemporary political debates
- evaluate the arguments underpinning different constitutional positions
- construct a written argument using module concepts in assessed work
- The Racial State
What you learn (8)
- examine sociological literature on links between racism and the state
- explain racism as a structuring social device
- evaluate theories of the racial state against empirical evidence
- compare notions of postraciality across national contexts
- relate European conceptualisations of race to colonial governance
- assess the impact of racial governance in colonised states
- synthesise complex information from multiple sources
- communicate key arguments in written and oral formats
- Morbidity, Culture and Corpses
What you learn (6)
- evaluate sociological links between death, culture and society
- apply sociological analysis to interpret the broader relevance of death studies
- synthesise theoretical and empirical research on mortality
- collaborate with others to organise and present ideas
- communicate ideas clearly to an audience
- reflect on personal strengths and motivations to identify areas for improvement
- Global Transformation of Health
What you learn (10)
- explain how increased global connectivity affects physical health
- explain how increased global mobility affects mental health
- describe patterns of global health inequality
- evaluate emerging forms of health stratification worldwide
- discuss how health securitisation shapes population wellbeing
- analyse health impacts of armed conflict between and within nations
- examine ethical issues in the global trade of bodies and organs
- critically appraise different types of health research evidence
- collaborate productively within a group to complete assigned tasks
- manage independent study to complete assigned tasks
- Spiritual Realities
What you learn (8)
- describe the variety and frequency of spiritual and paranormal experiences
- identify characteristic features of spiritual and anomalous experiences
- evaluate social science approaches used to study spiritual experiences
- assess research methods applied to anomalous experience studies
- apply social science theories to analyse spiritual experience cases
- use social science methods to examine examples of paranormal phenomena
- locate relevant sources of information for academic assessment tasks
- evaluate the credibility of varied sources used in coursework
- Working in the Criminal Justice System
What you learn (7)
- describe various job roles within criminal justice agencies
- compare different occupational roles in the criminal justice system
- evaluate current debates surrounding criminal justice employment
- analyse sociological concepts relevant to criminal justice work experiences
- apply criminological theories to practitioners' lived experiences
- present a scholarly argument using visual materials
- produce a written scholarly argument
- Talk at Work
What you learn (7)
- evaluate the significance of social interaction in workplace settings
- justify the value of analysing authentic recorded workplace talk
- apply conversation analysis techniques to examine recordings of workplace talk
- assess how research findings can inform interventions improving workplace communication
- design an evidence-based workshop to enhance workplace communication
- analyse complex material critically using conversation analytic methods
- communicate complex ideas clearly in written and spoken formats
- Crime, Media and Culture
What you learn (7)
- explain theoretical perspectives on the links between media, crime and culture
- describe how media narratives affect diverse audiences locally and globally
- critique how popular culture and news shape public perceptions of crime
- evaluate relationships between crime, media representation and cultural change globally
- analyse visual artefacts using relevant theoretical frameworks
- produce a critical written analysis of complex ideas
- present complex ideas clearly in verbal communication
- Crime, Gender and Sexuality
What you learn (11)
- explain sociological approaches to gender and sexuality
- explain criminological approaches to gender and sexuality
- apply sociological theories to issues of gender and sexuality
- apply sociological concepts to analyse sexual offences
- evaluate formal social responses to gender- and sexuality-related crimes
- evaluate informal social responses to gender- and sexuality-related crimes
- explain how formal control strategies shape gender and sexual identities
- explain how informal control strategies shape gender and sexual practices
- analyse how legislation regulates gender and sexuality
- analyse how state policies regulate gender and sexuality
- analyse how policing strategies regulate gender and sexuality
- AI in Society
What you learn (11)
- explain key concepts in AI ethics
- describe major debates surrounding ethical use of AI
- relate ethical issues to AI use in interactive media for end users
- relate ethical issues to AI use in creative practice for practitioners
- identify the range of ethical concerns raised by AI in creative work
- recognise algorithmic bias and injustice in AI-driven creative systems
- recognise manipulation and discrimination risks in AI creative applications
- evaluate ethical implications of an AI system using a creative case study
- assess consequences of an AI-driven creative process on stakeholders
- participate in discussions on the future of responsible creative AI
- discuss regulatory approaches to ethical AI in creative practice
- Housing and Homelessness: Overcoming Inequality
What you learn (5)
- explain how the UK housing system functions
- analyse the historical foundations of UK housing policy
- evaluate the social and cultural influences shaping UK housing policy
- relate housing policy issues to broader social policy agendas across different markets
- evaluate different sources of evidence used to contest housing policy
- Policing and The Police
What you learn (6)
- explain how historical developments have shaped modern policing
- analyse theoretical approaches relevant to policing
- analyse policies relevant to the police and policing
- evaluate current trends in policing practice
- critique established police practices
- examine policing responses to a specific crime type in depth
- Drugs: Prevalence, Policy and Practice
What you learn (9)
- compare UK and international drug policy approaches
- evaluate the effectiveness of different drug policy approaches using evidence
- analyse structural and individual explanations for drug use
- propose flexible and creative policy or practice responses to drug use
- critique conflicting qualitative and quantitative evidence on drug theory and policy
- construct a well-supported argument on the strength of drug-related evidence
- critique competing perspectives on harm reduction and recovery approaches
- explain political, social and clinical influences shaping drug policy and practice
- challenge oversimplified models of drug policy and practice
- Wellbeing of Children and Young People
What you learn (8)
- explain different approaches to conceptualising wellbeing
- describe methods used to measure wellbeing
- explain why measuring child wellbeing matters for policy
- identify key international data sources on wellbeing
- explain evidence relating to several domains of wellbeing
- present evidence on specific wellbeing domains
- interpret graphs and charts representing data
- apply graphical data to discussions and assessments
- Vulnerability, Deviance and Social Control
What you learn (6)
- explain how behaviourist policy agendas impact vulnerable individuals and groups
- situate contemporary behaviourist trends within their historical development
- analyse theories relating to social control
- analyse policies and practices relating to social control
- identify links between care and control within welfare and disciplinary systems
- critique the blending of care and control in contemporary welfare practice
- Prisons and Penal Policy
What you learn (9)
- describe the historical development of imprisonment in England and Wales
- debate the conflict between punitive and rehabilitative approaches to imprisonment
- evaluate the effectiveness of combining punishment and rehabilitation in prisons
- identify the current legislation governing prisons in England and Wales
- discuss contemporary debates on imprisonment in England and Wales
- formulate a critical perspective on current imprisonment practices
- explain the historical evolution of imprisonment practices in England and Wales
- describe current legislation and enforcement systems governing prisons
- analyse the political and moral influences shaping imprisonment policy
- Migration, Immigration and Social Policy
What you learn (3)
- evaluate how migration and immigration policy responses have evolved historically
- describe current debates and controversies in immigration policy
- apply key concepts from migration and social policy studies to analyse issues
- Environmental Justice, Harm and Policy
What you learn (7)
- explain the causes of environmental harm
- describe the human impacts resulting from environmental harm
- identify unequal distributions of environmental benefits and burdens
- critically investigate the drivers behind environmental inequality
- apply theories of environmental justice to analyse unequal harm distribution
- explain unequal distributions of environmental harm using theoretical frameworks
- evaluate policy responses addressing unequal environmental harm
- Gender, Violence and Justice
What you learn (10)
- critique explanatory frameworks for violence
- analyse gendered dimensions of violence frameworks
- identify contexts in which violence occurs
- analyse contexts in which violence occurs
- describe the role of activism in addressing gendered violence
- evaluate limitations of activism, policy and practice approaches
- conduct independent research on a chosen gendered violence topic
- analyse limitations of existing policy frameworks
- identify options for policy change
- produce a policy briefing document
- Welfare States in Crisis
What you learn (10)
- apply theoretical frameworks to analyse crises affecting welfare states
- evaluate the significance of crises for welfare state development
- summarise major theories explaining economic, political and social crises
- critically evaluate how these crises shape social policy outcomes
- assess the influence of various actors and institutions on crisis emergence
- evaluate how actors and organisations drive welfare state reform
- identify cross-national and global patterns in crisis experiences
- explain divergences in social policy responses to crises across countries
- identify relevant statistical and qualitative evidence on crises
- assess evidence informing policy debates on crisis responses
- Global Social Problems
What you learn (8)
- explain the global dimensions of contemporary social problems
- evaluate the social, political and economic drivers of globalisation of social problems
- analyse policy debates at national, international and global levels on social problems
- describe the historical evolution of policy responses to global social problems
- identify institutions and actors involved in addressing global social problems
- explain relationships between institutions tackling global social problems
- analyse global social problems in relation to geo-political and economic divisions
- apply module concepts to critically assess a global social policy issue
- Crime and Justice in the Online Space
What you learn (7)
- identify key technological challenges facing criminal justice agencies
- analyse how technological change affects criminal justice practice internationally
- assess how everyday technology use shapes victimisation risk
- analyse individual experiences of technology to explain vulnerability to cybercrime
- critically evaluate mainstream criminological theories against current cybercrime trends
- identify regulatory and legislative responses to cybercrime
- analyse the effectiveness of policy responses to cybercrime
- Stigma, Power and Resistance
What you learn (5)
- relate stigma and power theories to dimensions of social difference
- analyse how dimensions of social difference intersect
- apply theoretical frameworks to examine stigma's impact on social groups
- explain the relationship between stigma, power and policymaking
- evaluate research strategies used to study stigma's reach and impact
- Left Behind Places
What you learn (9)
- explain factors contributing to the current state of left behind places
- describe social and cultural challenges facing left behind places
- describe economic and political challenges facing left behind places
- compare problems in UK and international left behind places
- identify the geographical spread of left behind localities
- compare similarities and differences among types of left behind places
- describe policies aimed at addressing left behind places
- evaluate limitations of policies targeting left behind places
- apply interdisciplinary social science knowledge to regional policy problems
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£24,000median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£19k
Median£24k
Upper quarter£29k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 250 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 12, 13, 22
Half of graduates earned between £19,000 and £29,000. Five years on, the median is £29,000. 91% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 59% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 15% left | 92% | 190 |
| In work or study, 15 months on13% studying | 91% | 105 |
| Professional or managerial job | 59% | 75 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £26,000 | 45 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £24,000 | 250 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £29,000 | 255 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £40,200 in fees over 4 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £27,800 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
85%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 73% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 190 students answered
Highest: 96% agreed on question 20; lowest: 62% on question 14.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 93% |
| Question 2 | 85% |
| Question 3 | 82% |
| Question 4 | 75% |
| Question 5 | 87% |
| Question 6 | 77% |
| Question 7 | 81% |
| Question 8 | 74% |
| Question 9 | 75% |
| Question 10 | 69% |
| Question 11 | 80% |
| Question 12 | 79% |
| Question 13 | 91% |
| Question 14 | 62% |
| Question 15 | 91% |
| Question 16 | 90% |
| Question 17 | 80% |
| Question 18 | 81% |
| Question 19 | 86% |
| Question 20 | 96% |
| Question 21 | 86% |
| Question 22 | 89% |
| Question 23 | 86% |
| Question 24 | 73% |
| Question 25 | 71% |
| Question 26 | 85% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.