Social Policy at York

Hi, I’m Danielle. I’m a 2nd-Year mature student studying Social and Public Policy at York. I am going to tell you all about what studying here is like, and some of the amazing opportunities I’ve had so far.

What I love about Social Policy

What is Social Policy? It’s a subject that affects everyone from all levels of society. Human wellbeing is a priority, and it’s important that the policies put in place protect us. It covers everything from healthcare, to social security and criminal justice, to the environment.

What’s so great about Social Policy at York? To begin, The School for Business and Society is in the fantastic Church Lane Building on Campus West. What’s not to love about new facilities, with the addition of a great café?

I really enjoyed my first year as it gave me a wider knowledge base. Then in my second year, I’ve been able to choose modules to build on my own interests, and what I hope to specialise in. I would recommend being open to changing your mind, though.

One of my favourite subjects was finding out about the history of York in 1901, and the poverty study that was conducted and the Rowntree family. This also covered corporate responsibility and capitalism. Another of my favourite modules was writing a policy for the chancellor’s budget. As social policy covers such a vast area, there can be many opinions and thoughts; this leads to some great debates, and it is interesting to see other perspectives.

Opportunities

I have made the most of the many opportunities available to me in my time at York so far. I was chosen to be part of the HM Government virtual policymaking school, where we were given the task of putting together a policy that focused on net-zero carbon emissions. We then went on to present this to officials from Whitehall. This opportunity was available to 1st-Year Social Sciences students.

I was also chosen to be a Student Ambassador! It has been amazing to speak with prospective students and their families at Open Days. I feel enthusiastic about giving something back to the University, as they have given me this amazing opportunity.

I am also the Course Representative for Social Policy. For this, I work with other students and academic staff, advocating for my fellow Social Policy students on issues that affect them.

Support

Starting your course can feel a bit overwhelming. So it is important to know where and who you can turn to for help. The support at York is outstanding. We were even ranked top of The Russell Group for academic support in the 2022 National Student Survey!

Your academic supervisor will be invaluable; if they cannot help you, they will tell you who can. There is also your college, who will be your smaller community within the larger University community. The student wellbeing team are also on hand to assist you with any problems that might arise.

Alongside the University is YUSU, the Students’ Union. There is additional financial help that you can apply for, if you are eligible, in the form of scholarships and bursaries. This year, there has also been a cost-of-living payment available for some students.

Rest assured, you will be in safe hands! As a mature student, I have fit in with the diverse range of people with ease. But if I ever do need support, I know where to find it.