Health in Social Science MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Health in Social Science

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

2D50

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Health in Social Science

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

This programme provides you with the opportunity to explore health, illness and the provision of care through the lens of the social sciences. It combines the study of the social complexities of health, its impact, and approaches to treatment through the following perspectives:

  • sociology
  • psychology
  • geography
  • counselling
  • ethics
  • healthcare provision, public health and nursing studies

We live in a global age of increasing life expectancy, but chronic health conditions are rising and infectious disease is showing no signs of disappearing.

The programme aims to:

  • give you practical and academic skills to help you make a positive difference in the world
  • expand your understanding of the social dimensions of health and illness
  • prepare you to contribute to improving people’s lives

Drawing on a range of disciplinary perspectives, you will address three broad themes:

  • societies and communities
  • individuals, personhood and experience
  • healthcare, social care and professional development

You will explore this important area of study across diverse social contexts, and apply your learning to real-world situations.

You will also study culture and language and how these areas influence people's experience of health and illness.

Essential to your learning is:

  • the concept of care and its delivery
  • understanding the critical role that individuals, communities and policy-makers have on health outcomes

You will also study other disciplines to help you examine how individuals, communities and cultures make sense of health experiences including:

  • marketing
  • counselling
  • health promotion
  • cultural studies

The third strand of the programme examines health and social care provision. 

We also provide training in professional skills such as active listening and leadership development. 

We welcome anyone with an interest in health, wellbeing and society.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

Programme benefits

  • You have the opportunity to learn in an interdisciplinary manner, approaching varied, but interconnecting topics in ways that inform future learning or prepare you for a variety of career paths.
  • You can take innovative option courses in community engagement. This will allow you to gain new abilities, get work experience and experience community-based learning.
  • In Year 3, you can study abroad through the University's international exchange programme. You will have the opportunity to experience healthcare in an international context.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Health in Social Science - 4 Years

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Health in Social Science - 4 Years.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

There are no compulsory additional costs on this programme. 

You may wish to buy books and there may be a small expense for public transport fares involved in the optional community engagement courses.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

You will explore the social causes of health and illness, and their often equal impact on different communities and social groups, drawing upon examples from around the world. 

This leads to the study of how individuals and cultures understand:

  • health and illness
  • associated beliefs and behaviours
  • the related concepts of deviance and stigma
Option courses

You will select four courses from a wide range of options from schools across the University. We offer Year 1 courses in disability studies, counselling and psychotherapy and an option to volunteer in the local community.

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will:

  • study current key health issues of local and global importance with expert researchers in the fields
  • gain an understanding of how knowledge is produced and used in real-life situations
  • be introduced to how language shapes societies and individuals
  • focus on the role of language in communicating about health in society (for example the media and health promotion literature) and in healthcare settings
  • gain hands-on experience in developing your own communication skills

You will choose four courses from the wide range of options available.

You can choose from our course offerings in disability studies, counselling and psychotherapy and trauma.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will:

  • learn research skills
  • explore compassion, empathy and ethics as critical to care
  • examine care alongside consideration of the concept of the person, spirituality, individuality and dignity
  • study mental health problems and the therapeutic alliance

You will choose three courses from the wide range of options available. We offer our own honours options which include:

  • exploring nature's impact on health
  • disability studies
  • drug policy
  • the body at the centre of a sociological exploration of wellbeing

You can also choose from other schools' offerings in a variety of subjects.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In your final year, you will examine:

  • critical challenges in interdisciplinary work
  • effective health and social care partnerships
  • leadership and change management
  • public health initiatives
  • community collaborations for enhancing health at individual and community scales

You will produce an individual research project (dissertation) supported by a member of teaching staff. 

You will choose three courses from the wide range of options available. We offer our own honours options which include:

  • exploring nature's impact on health
  • disability studies
  • drug policy
  • the body at the centre of a sociological exploration of wellbeing

You can also choose from other schools' offerings in a variety of subjects.

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.

If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.

A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.

Your study abroad options

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Courses are taught through a combination of:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • seminars 
  • online resources 
  • group work

Assessment

You will be assessed primarily through coursework and your individual research project in Year 4.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

Support for your studies

Where you will study

Study location

The School of Health in Social Science is in the University's Central Campus area.

Academic facilities

You will have easy access to the University's Main Library and computer facilities.

Career paths

Graduates may pursue careers in areas such as:

  • policy and research
  • health journalism
  • health education
  • health services management
  • patient advocacy
  • health promotion
  • community services
  • the voluntary sector
  • liaison roles in health and social care
  • project management or coordination

The programme provides a foundation for further professional career development.

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

You may also continue your studies at the postgraduate level in:

  • social science fields
  • social care
  • healthcare

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports more than 300 student-led societies and clubs and promotes opportunities with local charities through its volunteering centre.

From making friends to exploring new interests to campaigning on global issues, these student-led groups offer lots of ways to engage.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is an international festival city filled with culture, cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections.

From the winding streets of the medieval Old Town to the Georgian squares and terraces of the New Town, it is also a dynamic centre for research, policy creation and entrepreneurship.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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Discover Uni data

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.