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BA (Hons) Public Services

Why choose the BA (Hons) Public Services at MMU?

This course offers you the opportunity to study a wide range of subject areas, including politics, social policy, management, law, policing and criminology. The programme is particularly designed to enhance future employment prospects, with many of the programme units, such as law, information technology, community/third sector studies, criminal justice policy (and other specialist options) having specific vocational relevance.

  • Strong emphasis on information technology (IT), communication and team working skills.
  • Can provide a good entry route into public service careers (police, civil service, etc).

What will I be studying?

You will look at the services provided by public service organisations including the police, the NHS, schools, housing associations, the civil service and local authorities; examining the legal, political and social climate in which they operate, the policies governing their actions, and the needs their services are designed to meet. You will investigate how these organisations are managed and are changing in response to recent government policies such as contracting-out services to the private and voluntary sectors, electronic delivery of public services, customer choice and performance measurement. Recent multi-agency partnerships in urban regeneration and crime prevention will also be considered.

A project on a public policy area is compulsory in the final year; this can relate to your area of work.

Are there placements?

Unless exempt because of prior work experience, you may take a year’s full-time paid work placement in Year 3. A range of placements are offered in local councils, social housing organisations, NHS trusts and in police support work. Past placements have been with Manchester City Council, Parliament and the Audit Commission.

Course Units

Go into more detail about the units making up this course.

Career Opportunities

79%* of philosophy and politics graduates go straight into employment and/or further study.

Many of the graduates of this degree go on to careers in public service areas such as the police, local government, the NHS, the civil service and the armed services. Recent graduates have also gained employment in the financial, retail and public sectors. This degree, with its coverage of different management areas, aims to provide an excellent background for those who wish to maintain a broader range of career options and is an excellent stepping-stone towards private and voluntary sector careers.

*Source: DLHE survey 2009 for all respondents available for employment or further study and whose destinations are known

Fact file

Course entry & level

2012 entry

Undergraduate level

Length

4 years full-time

UCAS code

L230

Location

All Saints Campus, Manchester

Typical entry requirements

UCAS Tariff points
280

Points to be obtained from full A levels or equivalent:

240 at A2 or equivalent (such as BTEC National at Level 3 or Advanced Diploma).

Specific subjects required

GCSE grade C in English language or literature

Access qualifications: A relevant Access to HE Diploma will be considered for entry to this course.

International Baccalaureate: 28

IELTS Score: 6.5 with no element below 5.5

How do I apply?

Applications through UCAS

Fees

UK and EU full-time students: £8,000

Non-EU full-time international students: £10,000

International Fee Band: 1

How will I be assessed?

Examinations and coursework including a dissertation in the final year.

Where can I find out more information about this course?

Course Enquiries
Make a Course Enquiry