Social and Political Science

You’ll have the opportunity to draw upon the expertise of leading academics and researchers in their field, who regularly advise, inform and debate public policy at Scottish, UK, European and international levels.

Social Anthropology is the comparative study of human behaviour and ideas in their social contexts. Societies around the world vary enormously in their social, cultural, religious, and political forms, and the study of these variations lies at the heart of Social Anthropology. Choose to study Social Anthropology and it could change the way you think about the world.

Studying social policy at the University of Edinburgh is a unique experience. Not only are you taught by colleagues in one of the most established departments in this field, with more than 100 years of history, but you will join a vibrant academic community.

The main aims of Social Work at the University of Edinburgh are two-fold: to prepare social workers for professional practice and, in doing so, to improve the lives of those who use social work services.

Sociology is the study of how society works. It examines how individual choices are affected by wider social forces and how they can be understood by placing them in their own social context.

Sustainable development refers to the challenges of reducing global inequity and improving wellbeing, while reducing threats to Earth's systems from industrialised production and consumption.