Domestic and global politics are at the heart of society, and these courses provide an insight into how political institutions respond to the needs of a changing society and tackle some of its most pressing problems.
BA (Hons) Politics and Social Policy at Lincoln combines a detailed exploration of political ideas, institutions, and processes, with an in-depth analysis of how policies are developed and implemented to deal with the world's social problems.
As well as addressing big questions about concepts such as democracy and equality, the course provides an opportunity to examine and experience the policy responses to social problems affecting our communities.
The programme includes a strong emphasis on skills development. Students can begin to collect and analyse data from day one, providing the chance to develop transferable research and analytical skills.
Teaching is informed by the research expertise of academic staff from the School of Social and Political Sciences, who contribute regularly to national policy debates in both fields and have a particular interest in the politics of welfare.
How You Study
This programme includes a strong emphasis on skills development, which runs across all three years. In the first year, the course aims to provide a broad introduction to both subjects with core modules on British politics and social policy. Students can begin to collect and analyse data from day one, providing the chance to develop transferable research and analytical skills.
In the second and third years, core modules encompass British politics, political theory, new forms of political participation, welfare policy, and the policy process. Students may tailor their degree programme through a range of optional modules on subjects drawn from politics and social policy, as well as related disciplines such as criminology, international relations, and sociology.
This degree involves both directed and independent learning. Each module is usually delivered through a combination of weekly lectures and associated seminars and workshops. The seminars aim to provide an opportunity for students to discuss issues raised in the lecture and engage in critical reflection on the issues being studied. Students also have the opportunity to meet with module staff in tutorial sessions. As well as directed study, students are expected to undertake independent learning using traditional library resources as well as a wide range of electronic resources.
Modules
First Year
Applying Research (Social Sciences) (Core)
Key Social Science Concepts (Core)
Social Issues and Social Justice (Core)
Who Runs Britain? Power, Politics and Beyond (Core)
Second Year
Comparative Politics and Policy (Core)
Debating Welfare States (Core)
Political Parties (Core)
(Re)Reading the Sociological Canon I (Option)†
(Re)reading the Sociological Canon II (Option)†
Applied Politics (Option)†
Challenges of European Politics (Option)†
Conceptualising Sex Work (Option)†
Crime in Literature (Option)†
Criminology in the Professions (Option)†
Diversity, Difference and Exclusion (Option)†
Foreign Policy Analysis (Option)†
Governing America (Option)†
Ideology into Practice (Option)†
Intelligence and Security Law (Option)†
Internationalising Cultural Studies (Option)†
Model United Nations (Option)†
Nations and Nationalism (Option)†
Policing Crime and Deviance (Option)†
Psychology in the Criminal Justice Process (Option)†
Researching in Social Science (Option)†
Researching Politics and International Relations (Option)†
Social Engagement (Option)†
Sociology of Education (Option)†
Strategic Studies (Option)†
The Politics of Sex and Sexuality (Option)†
The Vigilant State: intelligence and national security (Option)†
Thinking International Relations (Option)†
Thinking Politics (Option)†
Transnational Security Studies (Option)†
Understanding Domestic Abuse (Option)†
Understanding the City (Option)†
Understanding the European Union (Option)†
Welfare Policy and Work (Option)†
Work and Society (Option)†
Youth Justice (Option)†
Youth, Culture and Resistance (Option)†
Third Year
Analysing the Policy Process (Core)
Global Civil Society (Core)
Understanding the Policy Process (Core)
Body Politics (Option)†
Care or control? Welfare institutions in Britain before the welfare state (Option)†
Children, Families and the State (Option)†
Counselling and Guidance Skills (Option)†
Counter-Terrorism Studies (Option)†
Crimes of the Powerful (Option)†
Emotions in Everyday Social Life (Option)†
Experiencing Prison (Option)†
Family Law (Option)†
Gender and Violence (Option)†
Global Governance (Option)†
Human Rights (Social Sciences) (Option)†
Independent Study (Politics and International Relations) (Option)†
Independent Study (Option)†
International Law (Option)†
International Relations of the Middle East (Option)†
Multiculturalism and Britishness (Option)†
Parliamentary Studies (Option)†
Penology and Penal Policy (Option)†
Police Studies (Option)†
Race and Racism (Option)†
Terrorism and Extremism in the United Kingdom (Option)†
The Colonial Present (Option)†
The Developing World (Option)†
The Politics of Energy (Option)†
The Politics of Global Health (Option)†
The Politics of Masculinity (Option)†
The Politics of Migration in the UK and Western Europe (Option)†
War Crimes and Genocide (Option)†
Working in Education and Children's Services (Option)†
Working With People in Adult Social Care Settings (Option)†
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
United Kingdom
A Level: BCC (104 UCAS Tariff from a minimum of 3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications).
International Baccalaureate: 28 points overall
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent qualifications.
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points.
A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ etc
Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
We also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
International
Non-UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
Scholarships
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.
How You Are Assessed
The assessment strategy adopted within the course is designed to test students' knowledge, skills and abilities, and aims to prepare them for the demands of work. This course has been developed to provide students with in-depth subject knowledge and a range of transferable skills.
The course aims to develop written communication skills through essays and examinations, oral communication skills through presentations, literature searching and review through essays, examinations and presentations, and computer literacy skills.
In the final year, students are expected to combine their study skills to undertake their own chosen area of study in preparation for an Independent Study.
Assessment types vary throughout each year of study, however, students can expect a range of assessment methods including coursework, practical exams, and written exams.
The University of Lincoln's policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.
Field Trips and Placements
During the degree, students can participate in field trips to key international organisations and political institutions. In recent years, students have visited New York, Washington DC, Ypres, Brussels, The Hague, Berlin, Krakow, Geneva, and Strasbourg.
The course offers the opportunity to undertake unpaid, competitive work placements with a local council. Students are responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs when undertaking field trips or placements. Please note that there are a limited number of places available.
"Studying for a degree has broadened my knowledge and understanding of politics and social policy. I particularly enjoyed learning about and discussing political philosophy, and the ideas and concepts which inform contemporary social policy."
Rosemary Robinson, Politics and Social Policy graduate
Study Abroad
Students on this course are able to apply for a study abroad year at one of our partner institutions after their second year. Students then return to Lincoln for their final year of study. Please note that these places are allocated competitively, subject to academic criteria. During the year abroad students will not pay a tuition fee to either the University of Lincoln or their host university but will be expected to cover their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs.
