Social and Political Sciences with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Our BA Social and Political Sciences will help you gain a strong grounding in the key skills and methods used in the study of modern social and political sciences. Drawing on the interdisciplinary strengths of Birkbeck’s School of Social Sciences, this course offers you the means to understand, analyse and propose solutions to some of the central social and political problems of today.

Why choose this course?

• This course emphasises a global perspective and is taught by lecturers at the cutting edge of applying their knowledge to real-world problems.
• It benefits from an interdisciplinary approach that brings in knowledge from across the social and political sciences, including politics and international relations, sociology, human geography, political economy, criminology and psychosocial studies.
• It offers you the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge you can apply in professions and fields such as political leadership, policy-making, community organisation and social or political activism.

What you will learn

Throughout this course you will develop core skills that you can apply to the study of social and political issues including:

• the character of the state and politics in the present day
• conflict and cooperation in the international political and economic system
• social and public policy in relation to economic development, social inequality, climate change and crime
• the impact of digital technology on politics and society.

How you will learn

This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening. It is taught via lectures, some of which may be pre-recorded or recorded live so you can return to them when you need to, and seminars. Lectures engage you with an overview of the topic before directing you to other resources, while seminars are interactive group sessions in which you will contribute to discussion or group work.

At the end of this course you will have the chance to design an independent research project on a topic of your choice employing all of the skills and methods you have learnt.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. Find out everything you need to know about Foundation Years.