Enter OTP
If you’re passionate about understanding how societies tackle challenges like poverty, health, housing, and inequality, Glasgow’s Social & Public Policy degree is a brilliant choice. It suits students who want to see how government decisions affect real people’s lives and who are motivated to make a positive impact on communities and the wider world.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
Your journey begins with the big picture—how the modern welfare state came to be. You’ll dive into landmark ideas like the Beveridge Report and explore the “Five Giants” (want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness) that shaped UK welfare policy. Alongside this, you’ll take a closer look at Glasgow as a case study, examining issues such as housing, youth, and substance abuse, and comparing them with global contexts.
Year 2
In second year, the focus shifts towards the debates that drive public policy worldwide. You’ll learn to compare different welfare systems, discover how politics shapes policy choices, and question why some social problems—like inequality or health reform—grab attention while others don’t. You’ll also study how policy success and failure are judged, preparing you to think critically about real-world examples.
Years 3 & 4 (Honours)
The final two years are when you really specialise. You’ll choose from courses that reflect your interests, whether that’s health inequalities, housing policy, big data in policy-making, or urban change in global cities. You’ll also explore hands-on topics like how policies are actually made in practice, while sharpening your research skills through both qualitative and quantitative methods. This is where your independent dissertation project comes in—you’ll investigate a policy issue that matters most to you.
Focus Areas
“Poverty & inequality; health & wellbeing; housing & urban policy; welfare systems; data & policy analysis; active citizenship.”
Learning Outcomes
“You’ll graduate with the ability to critically analyse policies, compare global welfare systems, evaluate what works and what doesn’t, and use both data and theory to propose solutions to today’s social challenges.”
Professional Alignment
While there’s no external accreditation, the program is highly practical. You’ll have opportunities for work placements in the public or voluntary sector, and you can take the Q-Step pathway, which gives you strong quantitative skills that employers in government, research, and NGOs are actively looking for.
Reputation
Glasgow is widely respected for its teaching in this field—so much so that the Social Policy team won the UK-wide Social Policy Association’s Outstanding Teaching Award in 2020. In addition, Social Policy at Glasgow was rated joint top in the UK for student satisfaction in the NSS survey, showing that students feel supported and engaged.
One of the best things about studying Social & Public Policy at Glasgow is that you’re not just sitting in lecture theatres—you’re constantly applying what you learn to the real world. From volunteering with community organisations to building strong data skills, the programme is designed to give you the kind of experience that employers look for.
Here’s how you’ll gain that hands-on edge:
Work with real organisations – In your Honours years, you’ll take part in service-learning projects, spending around six hours a week volunteering with charities or public sector organisations. It’s a fantastic way to see how policy decisions affect everyday lives while developing your own professional skills.
Internship opportunities – The programme offers chances to intern with respected public and voluntary sector bodies, helping you build your CV and understand the realities of working in policy environments.
Data skills that matter – If you choose the Quantitative Methods option, around a quarter of your study time will focus on analysing and interpreting data. With support from Glasgow’s Q-Step Centre, you’ll learn how to use numbers to back up arguments and design evidence-based policies.
Global experience – You can study abroad for a semester at one of Glasgow’s partner universities. This lets you explore how different countries approach public policy—without adding extra time to your degree.
Specialist centres and resources – You’ll benefit from the expertise of the University’s Centre for Public Policy, where research directly connects to real-world debates. Plus, the University Library and digital learning tools will support you as you work on projects and assignments.
In short, this programme makes sure you leave with far more than just a degree—you’ll graduate with meaningful work experience, practical data skills, and the confidence to step into roles that shape policy and society.
A degree in Social & Public Policy from Glasgow opens doors to careers where you can truly shape society. Many of our graduates go on to work in government, NGOs, or businesses, using their skills to influence policies and deliver positive change. Typical career pathways include becoming a policy analyst, public sector manager, consultant, or research/advocacy officer.
And the University of Glasgow makes sure you’re career-ready with dedicated support and strong industry links:
Career support that works for you: You’ll benefit from the University’s Careers Service, offering tailored advice, networking events, and employer connections.
Q-Step Centre internships: A standout feature of this degree, giving you the chance to take part in high-profile internships with government departments, charities, and research organisations.
Strong graduate outcomes: Within 15 months of finishing the course, around 80% of graduates are in employment or further study, earning on average £26,000. Salaries typically rise to around £28,500 a few years later.
Meaningful partnerships: As a civic university, Glasgow works closely with local government bodies and public agencies, meaning your learning is directly connected to real policy challenges.
Respected qualification: As part of the Russell Group, your degree is recognised globally for its quality and the analytical, writing, and teamwork skills it develops.
Further Academic Progression
If you’d like to take your studies further, you’ll find plenty of options at Glasgow. Many students continue on to postgraduate degrees such as the MSc in Public Policy & Management, MSc in Education, Public Policy & Equity, or other specialised programmes in governance and health policy. For those drawn to research or teaching, a PhD in Social & Political Sciences is a natural next step.
In short, whether you’re aiming for a career in shaping public life or looking to advance into postgraduate study, this programme sets you up with the skills, connections, and credibility to go far.
A-level standard entry requirements AAB – BBB Additional requirements: A-level English or Humanities subject.IB standard entry requirements 36 (6,6,5) Additional requirements: English HL6 or Humanities HL6 with English SL6.Indian High School Leaving Certificate (from CBSE and CISCE boards only) ISC Class XII: 75% Intermediate Public Exam: 80%American Curriculum SAT 1280 or ACT 27 plus two APs (5,4) or Honours/Advanced/AP at A in Year 11/12, with final GPA 3.5 and mandatory subjects at A.TOEFL iBT (including MyBest and at-home): 90 overall with minimum R20, L19, S19, W21. Test valid within 2 years 5 months of course start. Both overall and sub-scores must be met.IELTS 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0 IELTS One Skill Retake AcceptedPolicy analystsManagersProfessionals across governmentHealthHousingSocial servicesAdvocacyEducationMedia and Commerce
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University of Glasgow
