Social Policy and Economics, MA (Hons)

This joint degree programme at the University of Edinburgh offers a comprehensive foundation in social policy and economics, disciplines that mutually enhance understanding. Social policy equips students to confidently address contemporary political debates, covering key areas such as health, welfare, labour markets, education, and family dynamics. It explores how policies influence civic culture, political engagement, and societal outcomes, while fostering skills to critically evaluate policy creation and the roles of various actors in the process.In economics, students analyse the incentives driving decisions by individuals, businesses, governments, and societies, and examine resulting macroeconomic effects like economic fluctuations, growth, unemployment, and crises. Designed for those interested in the real-world impact of political actions, the programme promotes critical thinking to go beyond surface-level news. At Edinburgh, passionate researchers collaborate with governments, NGOs, and international organisations, emphasising comparative analyses and empirical skills to empower graduates in re-evaluating politics, society, and the economy.