university of york phd public health

Welcome to the Graduate Program in Health

Master of arts (ma), doctor of philosophy (phd).

The Graduate Program in Health is an exciting learning environment that focuses on real-world and applied research questions related to health. It is theoretically informed and research-based . The program examines the effects of health policies, health systems health care programs and practices, norms, organizations, and decision-making on health outcomes that are often inequitable. The program emphasizes how societal, economic, political, organizational, and cultural processes influence health.

Learn More About Our Program

Program Admission—Next Steps

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Our Theoretical Foundation

Variety of theoretical and conceptual approaches

Interdisciplinary, Social Determinants approach

Equity & Social Justice orientation

Focus on individual, organizational, health system and societal outcomes

Featured Faculty

Dr. Dennis Raphael

Research Interests

Political Economy of Health, Social Determinants of Health, Public Policy, Socialist Futures

Dr. Farah Ahmad

Primary care settings; psychosocial health; vulnerable communities; eHealth innovations.

Dr. Serban Dinca-Panaitescu

Biomedical engineering; health informatics; cardiovascular disease prevention; medical equipment; health information systems; e-health.

Dr. Matthias Hoben

Quality of life of older adults living with dementia and of their family/friend caregivers; quality of work-life of paid continuing care staff; knowledge translation, implementation, and improvement research across the continuum of older adult care (home and community care

I completed my PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Graduate Program in Health at York University and both experiences were incredibly rewarding. I was privileged to work with leading Health Equity scholars and participate in their research. My colleagues came from a variety of disciplines, which made for interesting classroom discussions and some lasting friendships. The education and training I received at York was exceptional and prepared me well for my academic career.

— Julia Brassolotto PhD 2015

The Graduate Program in Health at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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Departments

We integrate an innovative skills-based curriculum, research collaborations, and hands-on field experience to prepare students.

Learn more about our research centers, which focus on critical issues in public health.

Our Faculty

Meet the faculty of the Mailman School of Public Health. 

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Life and community, how to apply.

Learn how to apply to the Mailman School of Public Health. 

Doctoral Programs

Doctor of public health.

While all Mailman School doctoral degree programs provide students with tremendous access to renowned researchers and thought leaders across the spectrum of public health, the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program emphasizes the application of science to public health, leadership, and program development. 

See our available DrPH programs:

Biostatistics

Environmental Health Sciences

Epidemiology

As part of the School of Global Public Health’s rigorous PhD in Public Health  program, you’ll balance the theoretical and the practical through methodological preparation that is tailored specifically for your unique interests and goals.

If you’re ready to work side-by-side with an interdisciplinary network of venerated faculty and research experts from across NYU’s global sites, then we encourage you to apply to the PhD program today. Learn more about what we look for , how to apply  and more below.

Who Should Apply?

All applicants to the PhD in Public Health must hold an undergraduate or first professional degree from an accredited institution. We suggest, but do not require, that you hold either a Master of Public Health degree or equivalent graduate coursework to apply. If you do not have these credentials, you can complete the required coursework in the first year of the PhD program.

We also strongly recommend that you have some amount of applicable work and/or research experience related to public health. Although this is not a formal requirement for admission, successful applicants will usually have completed at least 2-3 years of work or research in a relevant area.

How Are Applications Reviewed?

The review process for the PhD program is holistic, taking into account all factors and experiences in a prospective student’s application and reviewing your overall potential for success in doctoral public health studies and future careers. Our review of applications examines the following characteristics:

Prior academic performance : Usually at least a cumulative 3.3 GPA in prior undergraduate and graduate programs and have received A or A- grades in quantitative courses

Work and research experience : Usually 2-3 years of relevant experience, including professional, research, publications, internships or volunteer

Statement of purpose : Evaluated for evidence that the applicant understands the program and the field, can clearly articulate professional and academic goals, and has carefully considered how the program will help them achieve those goals

Writing sample : Help the admissions committee understand the applicant’s critical and analytical skills, facility in writing, and potential as a future researcher

Recommendations : Evaluated for the extent to which recommenders indicate the applicant’s potential for advanced graduate training and career in public health

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required to apply to the PhD program.

Personal interview (if invited)

TOEFL scores from applicants for applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed a previous degree at an accredited U.S. college or university; A minimum score of 100 on the internet-based test is required.

Faculty Mentors

Doctoral applicants are encouraged to list potential faculty mentors in the application.  Please note that if you choose to identify potential mentors, they should be drawn from the  list of primary GPH faculty .

All applications are due on December 1st. The NYU PhD in Public Health only accepts applications for fall enrollment.

How To Apply

For an application to be considered complete, all of the following application materials must be received by the deadline:

The completed SOPHAS application

Personal statement

Resume or curriculum vitae

Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, with English translations if applicable

Three letters of recommendation

Writing sample of 5 to 15 pages

TOEFL scores from all applicants whose native language is not English and who did not receive the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. Applicants holding or completing only a graduate or professional degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction are still required to submit a TOEFL score unless the graduate program was four or more years in duration. When ordering test reports from ETS, you must include the proper institution code for the NYU GPH (5688).

NO GRE IS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION TO THE PHD PROGRAM

NOTE: Applications are due on December 1st.  Applicants should ensure that all of the above required documents are received by SOPHAS in time for them to be processed by this date. Applications will not be considered complete or reviewed for admission unless ALL required supporting documents have been received.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Students who are admitted to the program will be fully funded by a fellowship or a combination of fellowship and Research Assistantship for five years. Learn more on GPH’s Financial Aid page .

For Additional Information

If you have additional questions or can't find the answer to your question here, please feel free to contact GPH Admissions directly at [email protected] .

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Doctoral Degree PhD Program

Global Innovation Challenge, Communities of Excellence: Global Health Equity

Advance your career with our research-based PhD program.

The PhD in community health and health behavior positions you to:

• Address community and behavioral factors that impact health and wellness
• Design and conduct original research
• Succeed in your career within academia, government agencies or private/non-governmental agencies

This program is research-based and takes approximately four years to complete.

• 6/12/23 Requirements and Curriculum
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• 3/22/22 Competencies
• 8/28/23 Course Descriptions
• 8/14/24 Admissions
• 8/14/24 International Admissions
• 4/21/17 Tuition and Financial Aid

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INFORMATION FOR

• Prospective Students
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Doctor of Philosophy

The primary mission of the PhD program is to provide scholars with the disciplinary background and skills required to contribute to the development of our understanding of better ways of measuring, maintaining, and improving the public’s health. Examples of research conducted by PhD students includes but is not limited to: cancer epidemiology, clinical trials, cardiovascular disease, molecular epidemiology, vector-borne diseases, parasitology, mental health epidemiology and HIV/AIDS. Students are encouraged to work with faculty throughout the university since much of the work done in EPH is interdisciplinary.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences .

Select program: "Public Health" and your Concentration: Biostatistics (PhD or MS), Chronic Disease Epidemiology (PhD or MS), Environmental Health Sciences (PhD), Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (PhD) or Epidemiology Infectious Disease (MS), Health Informatics (MS) Health Policy and Management (PhD) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (PhD).

The GRE and TOEFL code for Yale GSAS is: 3987. A writing sample is not required.

The deadline is December 15th.

PhD Program

All PhD students are guaranteed five years of 12-month stipend and tuition support in the form of YSPH fellowships, teaching fellowships, traineeships and research assistantships. In addition to support for tuition and living costs, students receive a health award to covers the full cost of single-student Yale Health Plan Hospitalization/Specialty Coverage.

Faculty Advisors

PhD applicants are not required to secure a faculty mentor prior to applying to the program.

We expect applicants to provide information in their personal statement about the research they hope to conduct if admitted and to state the faculty in our department whose research aligns with their interests.

Diversity Research Awards

The PhD program in Public Health enhances commitment its PhD students who identify as underrepresented minority students, first-generation college graduates and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds by offering research awards to the top candidates admitted to the program. Each year a minimum of two PhD admitted students will be offered $2,000 each for research funds in addition to their financial aid package. Recipients have up to 2 years to spend these funds, which can be used for books, computers, software, conference travel, research travel or research supplies.

This funding is offered upon acceptance into the program. The criteria for the award is:

• Previous involvement in diversity-related initiatives in their community and/or volunteer activities helping underserved populations.
• Research interest in serving an underserved population

External Fellowships

Doctor of philosophy (phd) overview.

• Application Requirements
• Financing Your Degree
• Epidemiology
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• What Do Healthcare Administrators Do?
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• Careers in Biostatistics
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• Disaster Management
• Which Degree Is Right for Me?
• Apply Now External link: open_in_new

Online Public Health / Master of Public Health

The George Washington University MPH | Online The George Washington University MPH | Online The George Washington University MPH | Online

Designed for aspiring public health leaders who need a flexible schedule. Designed for aspiring public health leaders who need a flexible schedule. Designed for aspiring public health leaders who need a flexible schedule.

Get Admission and Tuition Information

Answer a few quick questions to see if the George Washington University’s online MPH program is right for you.

No GRE Required.

• Top-Ranked Public Health School  – Our online Master of Public Health is ranked No. 6 on Fortune Education ’s list of best online MPH programs. 1 ; the Milken Institute SPH is ranked No. 11 on U.S. News and World Report ’s list of best public health graduate schools. 2
• Distinguished Faculty   – GWSPH faculty are active health care leaders, providing valuable insights and professional network connections to students looking to advance their careers.
• Scholarships Available  – MPH@GW is offering a tuition scholarship of up to $15,000 to students who are accepted to and enrolled in the upcoming cohort.

GW’s Online MPH is Bringing DC to You

The George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health connects you with the epicenter of health policy. Our online Master of Public Health is ranked No. 6 on Fortune Education’s list of best online MPH programs. 1 ; the Milken Institute SPH is ranked No. 11 on U.S. News and World Report ’s list of best public health graduate schools. 2

GW Milken Institute SPH’s mission is to protect, improve and optimize the health of people on local, national and global levels. The experienced faculty who teach GW’s online Master of Public Health ( MPH@GW ) are active health care leaders motivated to help students find their place in advancing the health and wellness of people across the globe.  

As an online MPH student, you will:

• Learn from health care experts who play an active role in designing and implementing policies for national and international health initiatives, and who serve on influential health agencies, congressional offices or committees in Washington, D.C.
• Connect with D.C. from anywhere, meet those on the front lines of policy and advocacy through in-person or live-streamed events, and opt to take up to 15 credits on campus.
• Design your curriculum to fit your career goals and graduate ready to become a leader in the field. Study a variety of topics, such as epidemiology, global health or health policy, through our elective course options. You can also deepen your studies with our three concentrations: Health Informatics & Analytics, Global Health, and Women, Youth and Child Health.
• Complete the program in as few as 12 months or take advantage of full-time or part-time options.

MPH@GW is offering a tuition scholarship of up to $15,000 to students who are accepted and enrolled into the upcoming cohort.

Fully accredited by the  Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) , MPH@GW helps you advance your public health career by earning a graduate degree from a top-ranked school without having to relocate.

ACCELERATED MPH

ELECTIVES AND CONCENTRATIONS

PUBLIC HEALTH FIELD

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Online Master of Public Health program options

MPH@GW offers several program options to accommodate your individual needs. The curriculum for each of these program options is the same; the only difference is the number of courses you take each semester.

Learn more about our program options below.

One-Year Master of Public Health Accelerated Program

This intensive, one-year program requires you to enroll on a full-time basis and take an average of 11.5 credits per quarter. If you qualify for the accelerated program, you will not be permitted to continue employment throughout your time as a student.

18-Month Master of Public Health Accelerated Program

GW offers an intensive 18-month, online MPH option that requires you to take an average of 7.5 credits per quarter. If you qualify, you will not be able to work on a full-time basis while enrolled. However, you may be able to work part time.

Customizable Master of Public Health Program

In addition to the accelerated program options, you can choose to earn your MPH online on a full-time or part-time basis over the course of two, three, four or five years. The curriculum for each of these program options is the same; the only difference is the number of courses you will take each semester.

Regardless of which program option best fits your goals, you will benefit from:

• Personalized support services,  beginning now and continuing through your time in the program and beyond graduation.
• An extensive alumni network  of more than 300,000 located in 170+ countries.
• Courses designed and delivered by GW faculty,  who are active influencers affecting public health on a global scale.
• Elective course options  that empower you to pursue your career interests with a personalized education.
• Optional concentrations in Health Informatics, Global Health, Climate Health and Women, Youth and Child Health that allow you to specialize in a specific area of public health and gain valuable skills for addressing complex global health issues.

Which Program Option Is Right for You?

If you have any questions, or if you want to learn more about how MPH@GW can prepare you to influence change in the public health field, request information today. GRE scores are not required, but are accepted to strengthen your application.

Get More Information!

Mph@gw admissions.

MPH@GW seeks to educate and foster the next generation of thought leaders, practitioners, policy makers and scientists who aspire to  transform public health  on a local, national or global scale.

Program start dates are available four times per year, in January, April, July and September. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.  Learn more about applying to MPH@GW.

GRE scores are not required for admission.  If you believe your GRE scores have the potential to strengthen your application, you may send us your official scores.

MPH@GW is guaranteeing a tuition scholarship of up to $15,000 to students who are accepted and enrolled into the upcoming cohort.

Online MPH elective courses and concentration options

Created by the same faculty who teach GW’s on-campus program, the  MPH@GW curriculum  features a rigorous, interdisciplinary course sequence. Core courses consist of topics such as epidemiology, managing organizations, global health systems and health policy.

As an MPH@GW student, you can pursue an MPH by taking a broad variety of public health courses or focus your coursework on one of six specific electives. This flexibility enables you to match your public health education with your personal and professional aspirations. By combining specific electives, you can pursue an optional concentration in one of the following areas:

• Health Informatics: Learn how to utilize technology and data analysis to improve health outcomes. This concentration prepares you for roles as a data analyst, health information manager or clinical informatics specialist.
• Global Health: Examine the complexities of global health systems and how they impact population health. You’ll be prepared for careers in international development, humanitarian aid or global public health research.
• Climate Health: Explore the intersection of climate change and public health, and learn how to mitigate the effects of environmental changes on human health. This concentration can lead to careers in climate policy, disaster management or environmental health.
• Women, Youth and Child Health: Focus on the unique health needs of women, youth and children, and learn how to develop effective interventions and policies. This concentration prepares you for careers in maternal and child health, reproductive health or adolescent health.

Explore these public health areas and concentrations for detailed information.

The Online MPH Practicum Experience

As an MPH@GW student, you will complete a planned and supervised applied practice experience at a local, national or international organization. The applied practice experience enables you to  address real public health challenges  and further your understanding of how public health professionals serve their community.

GW has formed valuable partnerships with organizations and affiliated preceptors across the United States and around the world.

Examples of practicum settings include:

• Federal and state health agencies
• Health care startups
• Health service delivery organizations
• International development organizations
• Policy institutes
• Think tanks
• Volunteer health agencies

“After looking into numerous programs, I decided on MPH@GW based on our reputation in the health policy world, the curriculum and the caliber of the professors.”

— Gail Solod, MPH@GW Graduate, Regional Public Sector Senior Manager

Ready to Network With Public Health Influencers Based in D.C.?

Learn more about the MPH@GW academic experience and our in-person practicums by requesting information today.

Internationally Renowned Faculty

As an online MPH student, you will study alongside GW’s faculty, who are respected experts working actively in the field. You’ll learn from professionals who have years of experience working in Washington, D.C. — the nexus of global health advocacy.

“The professors are not just academics, but are oftentimes the people who implemented the policies of the classes they are teaching.”

— Nihal Satyadev, MPH@GW ’19

Professors are passionate about training and mentoring future public health leaders. Outside of the classroom, they are scholars, scientists and policy experts conducting cutting-edge research and affecting health policy on Capitol Hill.

Faculty have worked with institutions such as:

• National Institutes of Health
• Food and Drug Administration
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• United States Environmental Protection Agency
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration

GW’s public health faculty are frequently called on by congressional committees, federal agencies, international public health entities and the press to discuss environmental hazards and the policies addressing them.

How Can You Make a Difference in the Public Health Field?

The coming years will be a critical time for the public health and health care industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for highly skilled health care professionals is  expected to increase by 14 percent  from 2018 to 2028, adding approximately 1.9 million new jobs. 3

This growing need for leaders, scientists, researchers and practitioners in the field can be attributed, in part, to recent technological advances transforming the profession and various public health crises emerging worldwide.

Potential Careers in Public Health

By broadening your knowledge of local, national and global public health practices, an MPH will help you learn core competencies and acquire the skills needed to be an effective leader in the public health field.

For those interested in what public health professionals do, here are a number of careers related to public health:

• Health and safety engineer
• Emergency management director
• Occupational health and safety specialist
• Health educator
• Communications and advocacy officer
• Health psychologist
• Health insurance specialist
• Policy analyst
• Research analyst
• Grant writer

Learn more about specific public health fields and professions.

Take the Next Step: The final deadline for the January 2025 cohort is November 7, 2024

Advance your career in public health with the online MPH program from GW. Request information today to discover more reasons to get an MPH online.

1 Fortune Education , Best Online Master’s in Public Health, Ranked September 2024 arrow_upward Return to footnote reference 2 U.S. News & World Report , Best Public Health Graduate Schools. Accessed August 2024 arrow_upward Return to footnote reference 3 Bureau of Labor Statistics , Accessed April 2021  arrow_upward Return to footnote reference

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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Social and Public Policy

Understand the causes of social problems and how societies attempt to address them

Year of entry: 2025/26

Institution code

3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)

Typical offer

BBB ( full entry requirements )

September 2025 ( semester dates )

School for Business and Society

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UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£25,800 per year

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Complete University Guide 2025

in the world for Social Policy and Administration

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

A BA in Social and Public Policy will enable you to understand the causes of social problems and how societies attempt to solve them, both nationally and internationally. 

Innovative research

We’re ranked 11th in the UK for the quality of our research - according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

Real world influence

Our research influences national and international agendas and can be directly applied to real life. Our work on benefit fraud and welfare reform has been presented to parliamentary committees.

Course content

You'll start your study of social and public policy by undertaking core modules that give you key issues surrounding social and public policy. As you progress, you'll tailor your degree with option modules that allow you to focus on issues and policies that interest you.

During your degree, you will consider the diversity of human needs and sources of inequality at local, national and global levels; and analyse the social, political and economic context in which they exist. Graduates will understand and improve societal responses to social problems and disadvantage.

You will also actively examine the complexity of the policy-making process in the UK and beyond. You will learn how to investigate and critically assess the role of policy actors, citizens, governments, and markets in shaping policy, and to evaluate the evidence on which policy is based.

In your first year you'll study core modules that will introduce Social and Public Policy and the social sciences.

Core modules

• Power, Policy and Social Progress
• Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
• Economy and Society
• Social Evils in the Chocolate City
• Social Harm and Injustice

You will also study one option module. In previous years, options have covered topics such as:

• Criminal Justice and Inequality
• The Psychological Mind in a Social World

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module .

This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.

This module will:

• define academic integrity and academic misconduct
• explain why and when you should reference source material and other people's work
• provide interactive exercises to help you to assess whether you've understood the concepts
• provide answers to FAQs and links to useful resources.

In your second year you'll study core modules which build upon your previous work. You'll also choose from a range of option modules that will allow you to focus on a topic that interests you.

• Policy Think Tank
• Capitalism and the Public Good
• Researching Policy and Society
• Social Inequalities

Option modules

You will also study two option modules, one from Option List A and one from Option List B. Examples include:

Option List A

• Crime and the Life Course
• Contemporary Issues in Criminal justice
• Communities, Participation and Creating Change
• Enabling Places and Spaces: Exploring Social Perspectives on Disability and Mental Health
• Global Social Problems
• Crime and Justice in the Online Space
• Stigma, Power and Resistance

Option List B

• Victimology and Victimisation
• Future Worlds of Work
• Left Behind Places

The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please  get in touch .

In your third year you can choose from a range of option modules, including the opportunity for a short placement with an organisation working in social policy. You'll also work on a dissertation: an extended essay based on your own research.

• Independent Study Module

You will also study four option modules, two from Option List A and two from Option List B. Examples include:

• Drugs: Prevalence, Policy and Practice
• Welfare States and Economic Crises
• Housing and Homelessness: Overcoming Inequality
• Prisons and Penal Policy
• Wellbeing of Children and Young People
• Placement  

In the summer holiday before the third year starts you can undertake a work-shadowing placement that lasts around 80 hours. This will allow you to learn from professionals in a field you're interested in. Watching professionals at work is a completely different learning experience which can help you develop ideas for your dissertation and your future career. If you choose to do a placement, it counts as one of your four option modules.

• Vulnerability, Deviance and Social Control
• Social Policy, Crime and Criminal Justice
• Migration, Immigration and Social Policy
• Policing and the Police
• Gender, Violence and Justice  
• Environmental Justice, Harm, and Policy
• Education Policy: Divisions & Inequalities

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning .

Students who complete this course will be able to:

• Analyse and evaluate policy to develop informed judgements through a critical understanding of the ways in which social, political, economic and institutional interests shape social problems and societal responses.
• Design policy for effective delivery and outcome, drawing on understanding of the policy making process and applying theories and concepts from the social sciences to real world problems.
• Retrieve, generate, interpret and critically assess qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate research methods, digital resources and policy-relevant analytical techniques to investigate social questions, assess evidence and produce reasoned written accounts of social and public policy enquiry.
• Engage with policy debate at local, national and global level, synthesising complex material and communicating ideas effectively to a range of audiences, both in writing and verbally, using up-to-date visual presentation techniques.
• Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams by acknowledging competing interpretations of social issues, and by recognising the value of collaborative and participatory approaches to problem-solving and the shaping of policy responses.
• Recognise the drivers of social inequalities and the differential impact of policies on social groups and contribute to the pursuit of social progress through sensitivity to the diversity of human needs.

There is a really diverse mix of students on the course all from different economic, social and political backgrounds. This certainly enhances our learning experience because you can learn so much from the people around you and their opinions, as well from those teaching you. Tu Yuqi, BA Social and Public Policy

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees.

Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student.  Check your fee status .

Fees for subsequent years

• UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
• International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see  undergraduate fees and funding .

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

• UK government loans
• UK scholarships and bursaries
• International scholarships
• Country-specific funding

Living costs

You can use our  living costs guide  to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Free online courses

Get a taste of university-level study on one of York's free short courses, including our subject course, 'Understanding and solving poverty and inequality'.

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning .

Teaching format

You'll have a lecture series for each module. Some lectures may be delivered by guest speakers, drawing on expertise from other departments and outside the University. Modules normally have an accompanying seminar series. These will be meetings of around 15 to 25 people where you will debate key issues encountered on the module. You'll challenge what academics have written and form your own understanding about the topic. You may also take part in workshops that provide hands-on experience in social research methods.

You will be allocated a personal supervisor who will support you through your study. Usually your supervisor will be one of the team responsible for the Social and Public Policy degree and teaching on some of the core modules.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

You will be based in the School for Business and Society which is based on Campus West. The majority of your teaching will take place in Derwent and Alcuin.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour .

Assessment and feedback

The most common form of assessment is by essays. You'll be supported in the first year with advice and seminars on writing an academic essay. You may also be assessed with a mixture of report writing, data analysis exercises, critical reviews and presentations. There is minimal use of closed exams.

At the end of the degree you will submit a dissertation of 8,000 words. You'll be supported by a dissertation supervisor as you specialise in a topic that interests you.

Entry requirements

Alternative offers.

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements .

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

• How to apply

We will pay particular attention to your personal statement. You will not be expected to attend an interview, but once accepted you will be invited on a visit day to give you the chance to learn more about the subject, our School and the University.

Get in touch if you have any questions

• Helen Story
• [email protected]
• +44 (0)1904 32 1228

Related courses

• Social and Public Policy (Ethics and Justice)
• Social and Political Sciences
• Criminology
• Business and Society (BA)

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