📖Introduction

The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's ancient universities. The university has a long and rich history, and has produced many notable alumni in a variety of fields, including science, literature, and politics. Today, the University of Edinburgh is a leading research-intensive university, with a global reputation for academic excellence and a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world.

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📖Program Curriculum

The joint MA in Social Policy and Law allows you to gain a disciplinary understanding in core social policy analyses as well as law.

Social Policy
You will take core courses to understand how social policy affects different parts of society. You will learn how different systems of social policy can result in very different relationships between the state and other actors.

Law
You will also develop knowledge and understanding of the theory concepts and rules of Law.

The study within the Edinburgh Law School is grounded in Scots law and the Scots legal system. You will also be made familiar with the law and legal systems of the other parts of the United Kingdom the European Union and the wider world.

You will gain insights into particular methods of understanding society through the lens of legal studies. You will apply those to real-world problems that stretch beyond the reach of those disciplines. This will help you understand the impact particular decisions have on different parts of society.

This allows you in years 3 and 4 to take specialisation courses in both disciplines.

On the Social Policy side of the degree you will be able to choose from a range of specific Social Policy courses (between 2-4) that cover particular policy areas or processes and also specific options from Law (between 2-4) in addition to the central methods and approaches courses in both disciplines.

You can usually choose which subject area you want to write your dissertation project in.

Year 1
Social Policy
You will take Social Policy & Society. In this course we will introduce you to core concepts in the analysis of key government policy areas. We do this by contrasting various lenses through which we can understand social policy. You will explore the consequences of different policy decisions by governments on different parts of society.

You will study Politics of the Welfare State which examines social policy as a political issue in the UK. It introduces you to the politics of the area that constitutes one of the largest sets of government expenditure. You will be confronted with debates about the different ways of delivering welfare and the interplay between the state and the private sector.

Additionally you will take the compulsory law courses Scottish Legal System and Public Law of the UK and Scotland.

Year 2
Social Policy
You will take Comparative Social Policy: Global Perspectives. You will compare different approaches to social policy in European and non-European countries

You will also take Evidence Politics and Policy. You will learn to critically assess how evidence is used or misused by different actors and in the media to influence public opinion.

In addition you will take Research Skills and Design. You will learn how to create the foundations for high quality social research yourself.

Law
You will take 40 credits of law courses including the compulsory course Public Law and Individual Rights.

Year 3
You will select options that cover a wide array of policy fields such as:

family policy
labour market policies
social inequalities
criminal justice
health policy
education policy
You will also take courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods and a course that will enable you to analyse policies from multiple lenses (economic political and sociological).

Additionally you will take a further 80 credits of law option courses.

Year 4
You will continue to take social policy courses and will complete an individual research project.

This may involve collecting and analysing data and information from sources such as:

the European Commission
UK Government
Scottish Government
local authorities
voluntary organisations

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🏫About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class research-intensive university that has been shaping the minds of students for over four centuries. Founded in 1583, it is one of Scotland's ancient universities and the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university is located in the beautiful and historic city of Edinburgh, which is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere.

The University of Edinburgh offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, medicine, business, and law. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, and its graduates are known for their high level of education and employability. The university is home to some of the world's most respected research centers and institutes, including the Edinburgh College of Art, the Royal Observatory, and the Human Communication Research Centre.

Throughout its history, the University of Edinburgh has produced many notable alumni, including economist Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume, and Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most famous writers. The university has also produced seven Nobel Prize winners, including Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, and Peter Higgs, who proposed the Higgs boson particle.

The University of Edinburgh is also known for its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. It is home to several leading research centers and institutes that specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable energy. The university also has a strong emphasis on student engagement, and it encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs and societies, and volunteer work.

The University of Edinburgh is a diverse and inclusive community, with students and staff from all over the world. The university provides students with a supportive and challenging environment, where they can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields. The University of Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and the world, making it an excellent choice for students who are looking for a high-quality education and a great student experience.

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🏠 Accommodation

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

  • Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
  • Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it
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💰 Fees

Application Fee:

237 RMB

Tuition fee:

24,500 GBP per year

98,000 GBP in total

Entry Requirements

You are not eligible to apply to this program because:

The minimum age is 18.

English fluency is required.
You need to be either:
- A native English speaker
- Studied a degree in English before
- Can demonstrate a high level of English
- Having an English certificate such as IELTS level 6 or TOEFL 95 and above is an advantage.

Minimum education level: High School.

The program is competitive, you need to have a high grades of Average A, 70%, or a high GPA.

All students from all countries are eligible to apply to this program.

Is this not correct? You can edit your profile or contact us.
Or see the list of programs you are eligible for here .
Check Your Eligibility Show Suitable Programs

📬 Admissions Process

3 Steps to Apply to a University

Application step 1

Application step 2

Application step 3

Please choose the programs here , "You are advised to select 2-3 programs to increase your chances of getting accepted.

Required Documents:

  • Passport
  • Graduation certificate
  • Passport size photo
  • Official transcript
  • Personal statement
  • English certificate (You can take the English test online)
  • Guarantor letter

Preparing documents:

You can start your application now and send the application documents during your application. Some documents you can send later if you don’t have them right away. Some more info about preparing application documents is here

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Application process:

Applying Online is simple in just a few steps. More information is available here.

The first steps are to choose the programs, pay the application fee and upload the application documents.

Once submitted to Global Admissions, we will review your application within 2-3 days and proceed to the university or ask you for further clarification

After it has been processed to the university you will receive your unique application ID from each university.

The university may contact you directly for further questions.

We will then follow up each week with the university for updates. As soon as there is any update we will let you know. If you have made other plans, decide to withdraw / change address at any time please let us know.

After you have been accepted you will receive your admissions letter electronically and asked to pay the non-refundable deposit to the university.

Once you have paid the deposit the university will issue you the admissions letter and visa form to your home country.

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Here is some more information about the enrollment process after you have been accepted.

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