Politics and Social Policy with a Year Abroad

Our Politics and Social Policy degree prepares you to drive change and shape the future, by exploring how power and politics shape our world, and the scope for achieving social justice.

You will tackle essential concepts and theories, applying them to real social and political challenges. Explore how systems operate, how needs and priorities emerge, and how these challenges are debated and addressed. Topics include British and European politics and public policy, inequality and social justice, democracy and international conflict, and competing social priorities, such as health, education and housing.

As a student on our Politics and Social Policy course you will build essential skills for work in the world beyond study. Throughout the programme, you will sharpen research, analysis, communication, and ethical reasoning. These are transferable skills that will open doors in any career, including the very wide array of relevant subjects.

Based in the School of Social Sciences, you will benefit from being part of a lively and diverse environment, with a strong reputation for its research and teaching.

Our programme combines the core foundations of Politics and Social Policy with the freedom to shape your own path—whether you’re focused on career preparation, developing a specialist area, or planning for postgraduate study.

You will have the chance to take an internship at the Senedd/Welsh Parliament, and opportunities to work in industry or study abroad. Your Year Abroad could be spent in locations such as the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, or Singapore, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

The opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enables you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Kickstart a bright future at Swansea University.

With around 300,000 residents, Swansea isn’t the biggest city this side of the Severn, but she’s got a big personality with a cost of living that’s refreshingly affordable compared to most other UK cities. Whether you like to explore the outdoors, take in a bit of culture, or anything in between, Swansea has something for everyone.

As a student at Swansea University, you'll benefit from a friendly, inclusive community and opportunities to gain skills that last a lifetime. Alongside first-class resources that include a mock court room, indoor athletics centre & virtual reality lab, you'll learn from leading academics, in a supportive and nurturing environment.

With 120 societies, 50 sports clubs and 12 months of must-see events, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy between lectures.

Whoever you are and whoever you want to be, you'll find yourself right at home in Swansea.