Understand the social, political and philosophical challenges facing human societies using expertise from four world class departments
2018/19 entry
LL2V
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
£9,250 per year (2018/19)
£16,620 per year (2018/19)
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Find out moreThis degree is designed for students who would like to develop a strong philosophical dimension to their study of social and political sciences.
You'll be taught by world-leading academics across four departments and study the most up-to-date theories in social and political sciences. As your studies progress you'll have the flexibility to tailor your degree to allow you to focus on your own interests, from globalisation, human rights and the future of the welfare state to migration, equality and social justice.
You'll have the opportunity to contribute to your own high-profile seminar series and become involved in the dynamic student-run SPS Society. You'll be encouraged to take up an internship or work placement in which you'll get first-hand experience of the work you're interested in.
The disciplines entailed in SPS complement each other perfectly and the addition of philosophy only further aids the thorough exploration of these subjects. In particular, philosophy has given me the skills to critically assess the debates studied in my modules, enabling me to complete assignments to a higher standard.Antony, currently studying Social and Political Sciences with Philosophy
You'll start by studying core Political and Social Science disciplines and a choice of Philosophy modules to develop your philosophical skills. You can then go on to choose from a wide range of modules offered across Politics, Sociology and Social Policy alongside your continuing study of Philosophy. You can study a varied range of modules across the three years or select from focused clusters of modules. These topics might include:
You can add a year abroad to your course between Years Two and Three. Adding an international experience to your course will enhance your CV and give you experience of a new culture. You'll develop your language skills and make new friends along the way. To transfer onto the four-year course you will need make satisfactory academic progress in your first and second year.
There are many other international opportunities for you to get involved with at York through our Centre for Global Programmes.
The first year will provide a strong foundation in Philosophy, Politics, Sociology and Social Policy. You'll take a year-long introductory module in Sociology, one in Politics and another in Social Policy. You'll also chose two modules from the Department of Philosophy as well as following an online Philosophy skills tutorial.
Introductory modules:
Choice of philosophy modules:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
The second year is a mix of an interdisciplinary compulsory module, a choice of Philosophy modules and the flexibility to choose from a wide range of optional modules across the social and political sciences.
Compulsory module:
Philosophy
In the second year you'll choose one Key Ideas module (20 credits) and one option/short module (10 credits): A range of Key Ideas modules are offered, looking in more depth at topics in:
Theoretical Philosophy:
Value:
The history of philosophy:
Examples of specialised option modules include:
Please note: some Year 2 Philosophy modules require you to have studied 'Reason & Argument' in Year 1.
You'll be able to choose two modules from across a range offered by the Departments of Sociology, Politics and Social Policy. You'll need to study at least one module from each of these three departments during your final two years.
Choice of modules from the Department of Sociology:
Choice of modules from the Department of Politics:
Choice of modules from the Department of Social Policy:
Please note that the modules listed above are indicative of those running for our current students.
In the third year you'll again be able to choose three modules from a large range across the four departments, one of which must be from the Department of Philosophy.
You'll also undertake a dissertation, which will engage you in independent research in social and political science and allow you to develop valuable transferable skills for future research and careers.
Modules from the Department of Sociology:
Modules from the Department of Politics:
Modules from the Department of Social Policy:
Modules from the Department of Philosophy:
Please note that the modules listed above are indicative of those running for our current students.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
| UK/EU | International |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £16,620 |
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK, EU or international student.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We offer a number of scholarships to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers accommodation costs and estimated social costs.
I was president of the student SPS society last year. Working with the committee and the school on guest speaker events and organising trips has supplemented my academic experience. It's also cultivated skills such as: project management, team work and leadership.Kyle, current SPS student
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
You'll attend a mix of lectures, small group seminars and workshops, with an increasing emphasis on independent work in later stages. You'll actively define what you want to learn, and be supported by your personal tutor in exploring these issues in greater depth.
The student-run SPS Seminar Series will allow you to engage with leading academics from across the country.
As a guide, students on this course typically spend their time as follows:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and seminars | 216 hours | 180 hours | 144 hours |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The rest of your time on the course will be spent on independent study. This may include preparation for lectures and seminars, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours will vary from person to person. In UK higher education the expectation is that full-time students will spend 1200 hours a year learning.
You will be based at the School of Social and Political Sciences on Campus West. Most of your teaching will take place nearby.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Assessment will be by a mixture of essays, projects and examinations. In your third year you'll do a 10,000-word dissertation on a subject you want to investigate and you'll construct the questions you want to answer under the supervision of a tutor.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 38% | 20% | 0% |
| Coursework | 49% | 80% | 100% |
| Practical exams | 13% | 0% | 0% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
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As an active researcher in the areas of environmental policy, sustainable development and social inclusion, I often discuss real life research issues with my students. Students benefit from engagement in current research while I find their input extremely valuable.Dr Carolyn Snell, personal supervisor and lecturer in Social Policy
Many of our students organise work placements out of term time in an area that interests them. We encourage you to do this so you can gain workplace experience and a deeper insight into issues that interest you. Placements have ranged from an internship at the US House of Representatives to work experience in a London hedge fund and an internship in a global investment bank.
Over 85% of our graduates are working or in further study six months after completing their studies. Many of them secure jobs as a result of their first-hand experience from their internships and work placements.
Graduates go on to a wide variety of careers across the public and private sectors including:
The flexible nature of this degree also makes it a good springboard to postgraduate study across specialist areas in Social and Political Sciences. Other graduates take conversion courses for law and teaching and many go on to work for international organisations.
I studied at the University of Lund in Sweden via the SPS Erasmus programme. It gave me the opportunity to learn a new culture and language, make friends from around the globe and study at a world class university. I've also been an intern on Wall Street, shadowed a Secretary of State and worked at a FTSE 100 company. It's great work experience that shows how valuable the course is for employers.Tom, SPS graduate (2015)
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC | BTEC National Extended Diploma (QCF): DDD |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points |
| Irish leaving Certificate | H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | AAAAB at Higher level and AB at Advanced Higher level |
IELTS: score of 6.5 overall, with 5.5 or better in each section
Pearson (Academic PTE): 61 overall with no less than 51 in all components
CAE and CPE (taken from January 2015): 176, with 162 or better in each component
TOEFL: 87 overall, with at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing
Trinity ISE III: Merit in all components
To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
Mature students are welcomed and applications considered individually.
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