BSc International Social and Public Policy with Politics

at London School of Economics

This programme involves studying courses to the value of 12 units, plus LSE100. The programme introduces you to social policy and then progresses to more advanced topics and more detailed examination of specialist areas within the respective disciplines. It culminates in the third year with a dissertation in which you use what you have learned through your first and second year courses and specialist options, to conduct independent research in a relevant area.

For students choosing to take the Development specialism, your dissertation will focus on an area of international development and you will take Development and Social Change in the second year. For other students, this course is optional.

First year
There are two compulsory courses in the first year. You will choose two courses from a range of options, and will take LSE100.

(* denotes a half unit course)

Understanding International Social and Public Policy
Gives you a framework for understanding how and why societies have developed a variety of institutional arrangements to promote people's wellbeing, focusing on key developments in different areas of social policy, such as social security, education, housing, health and social care.

Foundations of Social Policy Research
Examines the role research plays in social policy making and introduces the range of approaches used to understand social problems and policy responses.

Courses to the value of two units from:

Social Economics and Policy
Provides an introduction to theories and concepts of social economics; it considers how the market economy affects people’s lives and looks at the arguments for and against government intervention in different social policy areas. 

Sociology and Social Policy
Provides an introduction to sociology and applies sociological perspectives to social policy fields and issues. 

Politics of Social Policy Making
Introduces students to the way in which social and public policies are developed.

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.

Second year 
There are two compulsory courses in the second year. You will choose options from social policy and/or from another Department to the value of two units. If you choose to take the Development specialism, you will take the Development and Social Change course.

Comparative and International Social and Public Policy
Examines and compares the distinct challenges of welfare provision faced by industrialised states and those in the Global South. 

Social Research Methods for Policy Practice
Offers a comprehensive introduction to methods of social research in social policy.

Two options, one of which can be from another Department.

Development and Social Change^
Introduces the concept of development and explores its relationship to social policy.

Third year
In the third year, you complete a disseration and select three social policy options.

Dissertation
Students independently research a relevant topic of their own choice and design. 
Options from social policy or another Department to the value of three units.

Below we list our entry requirements in terms of GCSEs, A-Levels (the entry requirements should be read alongside our A-level subject combinations information) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK and from overseas.

GCSEs
 

• A strong set of GCSE grades including some at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
• English Language and Mathematics no lower than B (or 6)
• We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile

A-levels*

AAB
We also consider your AS grades, if available.

Contextual admissions A-level grades**
ABB

IB Diploma
37 points overall, with 666 at higher level

Contextual admissions IB grades**
36 points overall, with 665 at higher level

Every undergraduate student is charged a fee for each year of their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees

Home students:
The 2023 tuition fee for new Home students has not yet been set. As a guide the 2022 fee for Home students is £9,250 per year. The Home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Social Policy

Median salary of our UG students six months after graduating: £27,500

Top 5 sectors our students work in:
 

• Education, Teaching and Research
• Government, Public Sector and Policy
• FMCG, Manufacturing and Retail
• Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media and Journalism
• Health and Social Care

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2018-19 were the second group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

The skills you will develop by studying social policy are attractive to a range of employers. Our graduates have found work in a variety of industries including; politics and government, education and teaching, banking and finance, NGOs, charities and international development, as well as journalism, media and publishing, advertising marketing and PR, and accounting and auditing.