School of Social Sciences and Humanities

BA (Hons) Politics and Social Policy with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
L200
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (4 years),Part-time (8 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
School
School of Social Sciences and Humanities
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

This wide-ranging and work-focused course provides an interdisciplinary study of Politics and Social Policy. Students will engage in debates around what we mean by a socially fair and just society, and the policies a government should pursue to achieve one. The degree will also help to explain important global phenomenon including recent events like the war on terror and the impact of the international economic crisis

The degree will allow students to develop an understanding of contemporary social problems, such as poverty, inequalities in health, and underachievement in schools and the policies in place to address these issues. Alongside this students will investigate the institutions, processes and procedures through which interests are expressed, the theories we use in understanding political activity, and the factors motivating and legitimising it.


Teaching and learning is designed to support digital literacy. Students will acquire the skills necessary to gather evidence and apply theories to a range of social and political issues. Students are encouraged to share knowledge and be enterprising with their ideas. Global comparative perspectives are incorporated in the degree providing students with the opportunity to learn about society and politics in other countries.

The foundation year of this course is designed to offer applicants who do not have the required qualifications, a programme which will equip them with a robust toolkit of academic, digital and personal skills required for successful study in higher education. It also provides an understanding of, and insight into, a range of disciplines that underpin their chosen programme of study. In the foundation year students will develop their ability to gain the most out of structured in-class study, and also to manage and evaluate their own independent learning. This wide range of transferable skills is of immense value in both undergraduate study and graduate employment. Upon successful completion of the foundation year, students will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of their subject area to degree level.

 

What happens on the course?

The aims of the Politics and Social Policy degree are to examine and to investigate how citizens respond to the world they inhabit through advocacy, campaigning and protesting to try to effect social change and how they articulate these attempts.

This course will examine the relationship between government, society and citizens, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable in society. The course will explore how all aspects of policy are informed by political ideas, concepts and language. Competing conceptions and articulation of rights, citizenship, democracy and justice, fundamental to the study of Politics, implicitly or explicitly, inform attempts to reproduce or change how social policy is designed and delivered in areas such as housing, health and the environment. Therefore, the programme will examine how some voices within society come to dominate the policy environment, and the impact this privilege has on the design and implementation of policy.

Within th course you will analyse how the welfare state has fared after experiencing over a decade of austerity measures and will explore possible futures of welfare provision, tracing the increasing role of voluntary and private providers. The course will look at critical challenges to society, such as migration, affordable housing, climate change and persistent poverty, and explore how – and whether – policymakers have the ability and political will to address these challenges.

Whilst the events, experiences and case-studies that will be drawn on through the course will often reflect the UK context, this world view will be critiqued through the lens of historical and contemporary international influences, for example the legacy of colonialism and imperialism on British social policy or the limitations and challenges of globalisation and climate change. Therefore the course will highlight the connections between local, regional, national and international/global, and the impact these connections have on decision-making in UK society. 

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Practical Experience: An opportunity at each level of the course to undertake a placement module which will provide invaluable practical experience. 

Pastoral support: We pride ourselves in our supportive culture with a large team of academic and student support staff to provide excellent pastoral care and support together with a welcoming academic environment in which to undertake your degree.

Research-led: Our research-led teaching ensures that you will be learning about the very latest debates in policy and practice.

 

At the end of this course, you, will be able to: 

  1. Apply social policy theories to analyse social needs and policy intervention.
  2. Be able to identify and critically compare different concepts and methodologies used in Politics and Social Policy.
  3. Have a knowledge of the political history and institutions of the UK and one other area.
  4. Be familiar with the major ideological traditions in Politics.
  5. Have developed critical and analytic skills in the study of Politics and Social Policy which contribute to graduate employability.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Prepare for Foundation Pathway: - We will consider mature applicants (age 21 or over) who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience.  You will be required to attend a compulsory Prepare for foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course.  If you would like more advice and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact Gateway to discuss and support you making an application to us.

Academic Pathway: - 48+ UCAS tariff points

Either

  • A-levels: Grade profile of DD
  • Access to HE Diploma: (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (48 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at pass)
  • BTEC: Grade profile of PPP
  • T-Level: Pass grade with a core component profile less than C.
  • Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points will be required.
  • International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Other Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old or above at the start of the course.

 

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

Order a prospectus

How We Compare

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses

Full-time Course

Part-time Course