Social Policy with Criminology BSc (Hons)
Ulster University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

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Location

Belfast

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

15-SEP-25

time
Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Belfast

Study mode

Full time

Start date

15-SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Social Policy
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Sociology
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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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EU
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Course info

In an increasingly uncertain and fast-changing world, questions around human need, welfare, inequality and wealth distribution are to the fore of public discourse and affect all our lives. These debates are at the heart of social policy. In studying this degree, students will explore how concerns such as new social risks and precarity are experienced by individuals and communities and addressed by policy. These significant challenges require students to critically engage with historical ...Read more

In an increasingly uncertain and fast-changing world, questions around human need, welfare, inequality and wealth distribution are to the fore of public discourse and affect all our lives. These debates are at the heart of social policy. In studying this degree, students will explore how concerns such as new social risks and precarity are experienced by individuals and communities and addressed by policy. These significant challenges require students to critically engage with historical perspectives and contrasting conceptual approaches. Students will also be expected to develop their understanding of the complexities of policy making and governance at regional, national and international levels.Graduates have high employment rates, pursuing careers in the public sector, working in local or central government, helping to formulate policy, or manage key services. Some build careers in the voluntary sector and in campaigning organisations with a focus on social issues; others pursue a career in social research methods, as a research assistant or research officer, working as part of a team.Graduates are well equipped with the skills to work in other areas such as management and research consultancy. Some proceed to further study, pursuing a PhD or one of a range of MSc degrees including Social Policy, Criminology and Health Promotion. This degree may give exemption from some aspects of study for those seeking professional qualifications in housing and health service management, and is a popular route into the fast-track social work qualification.The BSc Hons Social Policy with Criminology degree programme provides a special opportunity to engage with social policy and criminology issues in Northern Ireland, particularly in the light of UK devolution developments and their social, political and economic implications. The major component of the course focuses on contemporary problems of poverty, inequality, discrimination, social welfare, service provision and social justice; and critically analyses social policy responses with a view to developing better mechanisms for addressing these problems.Criminology, as the minor one-third of your degree, will introduce a range of ideas, theories and mainstream concepts of criminology and criminal justice, for example, crime and deviance, victims, sentencing, punishment, policing, terrorism, surveillance, and emergent ideas on state crime. These, coupled with knowledge of legal institutions and structures, will provide you with a wider understanding of criminology and criminal justice systems.Students will study 6 modules each year: 4 modules at each level in Social Policy, the major subject; and 2 modules at each level in Criminology, the minor subject.

Key stats

Social Policy
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
34th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
42nd
Law
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
80%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Law graduate salary at this uni
£17,000
UK Law graduate salary
£17,000
Social Policy
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
80%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Social Policy graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK Social Policy graduate salary
£19,000
What students say
C
Cohen
26 Jan 24

The University is amazing with new facilities and a great location for nightlife in Belfast, it has a great feel and..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
16 Oct 19

I have enjoyed my experience at Ulster so..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BCC Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

BCCCC Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

CDD Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:12,M:30,P:3 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

24 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DMM Grades / Points required

Applicants can satisfy the requirement for the third A-Level Grade by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications recognised by the University.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pass Access Course (120 credits) with an overall mark of 60%.

Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum of 24 points (12 at higher level). Grade 4 in Higher or Subsidiary Level English Language is also required.

104 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of four subjects at Higher Level and one subject at Ordinary Level. English Grade H6 or above (HL) or Grade 04 or above (Ordinary Level) if not sitting at Higher Level.

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma Award profile of DMMWe will also accept smaller BTEC/OCR qualifications (i.e. Diploma or Extended Certificate / Introductory Diploma / Subsidiary Diploma) in combination with A Levels or other acceptable level 3 qualifications. Note: BTEC Level 3 RQF Foundation Diploma, Diploma and Extended Diplomas in Children's Play, Learning and Development are not accepted.BTEC Level 3 RQF National Extended Certificate in Children's Play, Learning and Development is acceptedTo find out if the qualification you are applying with is a qualification we accept for entry, please check our Qualification Checker - https://www.ulster.ac.uk/study/entrance-requirements/equivalence We will also continue to accept QCF versions of these qualifications although grades asked for may differ. Check what grades you will be asked for by comparing the requirements above with the information under QCF in the Applied General and Tech Level Qualifications section of our Entry Requirements - https://www.ulster.ac.uk/study/entrance-requirements/undergraduate-entry-requirements

Popular A-level subjects

Social Policy

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Health & Social Care
45%
Religious Studies & Theology
39%
Information & Communication technology
24%
Business Studies
23%
History
22%
HESA
Law

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

History
32%
Religious Studies & Theology
30%
English Literature
24%
Business Studies
23%
Information & Communication technology
21%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£4,750 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£16,320 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£16,320 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Social Policy / Administration reviews

Social Policy / Administration
Social Policy / Administration
Criminology
C
Cohen
26 Jan 24
Social Policy BSc (Hons)
The University is amazing with new facilities and a great location for nightlife in Belfast, it has a great feel and...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
16 Oct 19
Social Policy with Sociology BSc (Hons)
I have enjoyed my experience at Ulster so...
Read more
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How Social Policy / Administration students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 10 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
40%
3 stars
20%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 388 reviews
5 star
44%
4 stars
42%
3 stars
13%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

Ulster University
Ulster University , Coleraine

Ulster University is an exciting, modern university that offers an excellent range of study options for students from Great...

Student rating
( 4.3) View reviews
CUG ranking
42nd
Ulster University
York Street Belfast Northern Ireland BT15 1ED United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Great Victoria Street  0.4 miles away
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