Course overview

Our course addresses some of the big questions and social issues currently being debated by the media, the public and the Government. For example, it examines reasons behind, and responses to, social problems such as poverty and social exclusion, antisocial behaviour, racism and homelessness. It is an area of study of great contemporary relevance.

Within this context, the main aims of our course are:

• to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of how social policy is formulated and implemented
• to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to gain employment in a broad range of public and voluntary sector jobs.

Formal lectures and seminars will provide you with the theory necessary to develop a real understanding of current social issues. Workshops will give you the opportunity to get to grips with the theory in an exciting and challenging environment, and to develop your practical skills.

The opportunity to take part in an internship (work experience placement) will allow you to put these skills to test in a 'real world' situation.

When you graduate you will be able to:

• research and analyse a range of social policies and problems
• explore and evaluate how social policies respond to social problems
• participate effectively in the process of both policymaking and policy implementation.

Our degree will give you the opportunity to get right to the heart of some of the most hotly debated issues of our time, giving you the skills and confidence to approach policy issues in a rational, analytical way. Crucially, it will also provide you with the kind of knowledge and skills much valued by employers in this sector.

Additional course information

Level Four: you will study modules which focus on different ways that social problems are defined and responded to both in policy and practice. Key concepts such as well-being and inclusion are also examined.

Level Five: you will examine key social policy areas such as health and social care, family policies, crime and community safety and citizenship.

Level Six: provides an opportunity to explore in more depth concepts such as community, exclusion, harm and the global dimensions of social policy . A dissertation is also undertaken which allows you to negotiate and investigate a topic of particular interest to you.

Module guide

Your course content will vary depending on your choice of options. As a guide, Social Policy modules will include:

Assessment

Social policy at Anglia Ruskin is a dynamic and forward-looking undergraduate course. We place great emphasis on student participation and consultation, and take pride in how we have designed the structure and content of our course from your perspective.

We have devised a diverse and creative mixture of assessment methods. For example, an assessment might involve giving a presentation or seminar paper, or you may have to provide a report of an activity you have undertaken, or it may be a straightforward essay. Other methods include case studies, debates, mind-maps and portfolios. You will be supported and encouraged by your lecturer, whichever method is required.

We believe that high standards of teaching and support are extremely important. Our teaching consists of a mixture of lectures and seminars. Sometimes you will have to make notes, but we also provide clear handouts. You will go on visits, be shown video clips, and work in groups or by yourself. We will help you design posters and write seminar papers. We will challenge you and develop your skills, so that upon graduation, you are more confident and well-informed.

Study abroad options

As our degree highlights, the social problems and social needs of contemporary life are not exceptional to the UK but commonplace phenomena in all modern societies. If you are very keen to look at other countries and learn about their strategies for tackling issues - for example, homelessness, drug use and young offenders - then our degree also offers a change of scenery in the second year, when you have the opportunity to study in another country for one semester.

Working with the local community

As well as an opportunity to contribute to communities via the internship module, we also bring in speakers and experts from the community to inform and challenge you with stories of their experiences, and to engage in debates over ethical and academic issues.

Associated careers

Our graduates are currently employed in a wide range of socially relevant jobs, including:

• AIDS/HIV organisations
• care management
• carers' organisations
• charity management
• Citizens Advice
• civilian branches of the police
• community development and outreach work
• disability rights and advocacy work
• drug work
• homelessness agencies
• housing administration and management
• lecturing
• NHS administration and management
• the prison service
• social research
• social services
• teaching

UCAS Tariff points:	140
Additional Requirements:	Preferred subject(s): GCE A-level Social Science

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

Please note

• After the September 2013 intake the UCAS points for entry will increase to 200. Please see the bottom of this page for further information
• All tariff points must come from A levels. Points from AS levels cannot be counted towards the total tariff points required for entry to this course

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

We welcome applications from International and EU students. Please select one of the links below for English language and country-specific entry requirement information.

• International students
• EU students
• English language requirements

Other acceptable qualifications

• 14-19 Diploma in a Health & Social Care/Social Science or Public services related subject with 140 UCAS points.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma (social science based preferred) available from colleges of further education.
• Advanced GNVQ in a health and social care or science related subject with pass grade.

From the above information we will calculate requirements for Scottish/Irish Highers, International, European and Welsh Baccalaureate equivalents so that they are all equitable. We will also accept tariff points from other qualifications on the UCAS tariff such as the Cambridge Pre-U (subject requirements will be assumed to be the same as for A Level).

If you do not meet the entry requirements, we would recommend you contact your local further education colleges, to ascertain which suitable courses they offer.

Applying

All applications must go via UCAS. The standard entry criteria are two grade C A Levels or equivalent. We welcome applications from international, EU and UK based applicants for full-time or part-time study.

We also encourage applications from non-standard applicants. In these cases, we look for a keen interest in the issues involved and an understanding of the commitment needed to commence the course. Applicants may enter on the basis of APL/APEL; non-standard entry qualifications will be considered and applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

January and September 2014 intake

• 200 UCAS points will be required from A levels
• A grade of Merit, Merit, Pass will be required from BTECs in a Health and Social Care or Science related subject
• Access to Higher Education Diploma - applicants will be required to successfully pass the full course with 15 level 3 credits at pass and 15 level 3 credits at merit
• We also encourage applications from non-standard applicants. In these cases, we look for a keen interest in the issues involved and an understanding of the commitment needed to commence the course. Non-standard entry qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis