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 Overview 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:sociologypsychologygeographycounsellingethicshealthcare provision, public health and nursing studiesWe 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 worldexpand your understanding of the social dimensions of health and illnessprepare you to contribute to improving people’s livesDrawing on a range of disciplinary perspectives, you will address three broad themes:societies and communitiesindividuals, personhood and experiencehealthcare, social care and professional developmentYou 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 deliveryunderstanding the critical role that individuals, communities and policy-makers have on health outcomesYou will also study other disciplines to help you examine how individuals, communities and cultures make sense of health experiences including:marketingcounsellinghealth promotioncultural studiesThe 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. Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.Select the qualification you are studying or studied. Where you are studying or where you studied United KingdomAfghanistanAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBhutanBoliviaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanYemenZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed Qualification - Select a qualification -SQA Highers: standard requirementsSQA Highers: widening access requirementsA levels: standard requirementsA levels: widening access requirementsIB: standard requirementsIB: widening access requirementsOther UK qualificationsMature applicants (including adult returners)International qualifications by country or region United Kingdom, Fees and funding 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. 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:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee 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 Programme details What you will study Year 1 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 illnessassociated beliefs and behavioursthe related concepts of deviance and stigmaOption coursesYou 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 courses The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry. You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme. Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year) Year 2 You will:study current key health issues of local and global importance with expert researchers in the fieldsgain an understanding of how knowledge is produced and used in real-life situationsbe introduced to how language shapes societies and individualsfocus on the role of language in communicating about health in society (for example the media and health promotion literature) and in healthcare settingsgain hands-on experience in developing your own communication skillsYou 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 courses The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry. You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme. Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year) Year 3 You will:learn research skillsexplore compassion, empathy and ethics as critical to careexamine care alongside consideration of the concept of the person, spirituality, individuality and dignitystudy mental health problems and the therapeutic allianceYou will choose three courses from the wide range of options available. We offer our own honours options which include:exploring nature's impact on healthdisability studiesdrug policythe body at the centre of a sociological exploration of wellbeingYou can also choose from other schools' offerings in a variety of subjects. Find courses The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry. You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme. Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year) Year 4 In your final year, you will examine:critical challenges in interdisciplinary workeffective health and social care partnershipsleadership and change managementpublic health initiativescommunity collaborations for enhancing health at individual and community scalesYou 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 healthdisability studiesdrug policythe body at the centre of a sociological exploration of wellbeingYou can also choose from other schools' offerings in a variety of subjects. Find courses The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry. You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme. Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 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:lecturestutorialsseminars 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 and further study Career paths Graduates may pursue careers in areas such as:policy and researchhealth journalismhealth educationhealth services managementpatient advocacyhealth promotioncommunity servicesthe voluntary sectorliaison roles in health and social careproject management or coordinationThe 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 strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisionsVisit the Careers Service website Further study You may also continue your studies at the postgraduate level in:social science fieldssocial carehealthcare Applying 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 qualificationsa personal statementevidence 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 websiteKey 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:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at 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 Life at Edinburgh 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 websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf 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.SocietiesSports 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 Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities to daily life, including: sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) 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 servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
