Explore new and creative ways to tackle key social challenges. Learn theory and methods to understand, critically examine, and influence organisations.

This course will appeal if you want to combine an understanding of the social world from different perspectives with a rigorous analysis of policy responses to social problems. You will examine theory and techniques from sociology alongside the analytical focus of social policy.

You’ll explore areas such as health, welfare and poverty, race and discrimination, inequality and exclusion. By the end of the course, you’ll have an understanding of how social institutions develop and operate and how they might be improved.

In Year 1, you'll be introduced to social theory, ideas about the state and social change, and the central traditions of social research. You’ll select an option in either criminology or international development.

In Year 2, you'll expand and deepen your understanding of contemporary social theory. You will explore the political processes that underpin policy-making practices and develop data analysis techniques. You’ll choose from a range of options in sociology, social policy, criminology and international development.

In your final year, you'll do your dissertation. This will demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ll develop. You'll also choose from a range of optional units from across the social sciences. These will allow you to build upon the theoretical understanding you’ll gain during Years 1 and 2 and apply it to contemporary sociological issues.

The flexibility of this course will allow you to create a degree that’s tailored to your interests and potential future career.

Informed teaching to advance your learning

You’ll learn from teaching staff with diverse backgrounds and expertise in different areas of sociology and social policy. Their passion, knowledge and research activities shape their teaching. This combination aims to enhance your learning experience.

Develop your professional skills

We work to provide you with the tools and support to prepare you for employment and further study. These include:

• critical and analytical thinking
• research skills
• skills related to generating and analysing sociological data ranging from ethnography to computational techniques
• presentation and communication skills
• project management
• team working

You will also benefit from expert guest speakers from the public, commercial or third sector.

Category B

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

• IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
• IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
• TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
• TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
• The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
• Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
• Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 130, Conversation 130, Production 130
• LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Prepare for your future career

Many of our social sciences graduates have progressed to work as social and policy researchers, civil servants, international consultants, journalists, and accountants.

They've gone on to work in:

• government departments
• social enterprises and charities
• European and international agencies and organisations
• Social care and family services
• international development
• public policy consultancy

Examples of where our recent Department of Social & Policy Sciences graduates have gone on to work include:

• Barclays
• Bath and North East Somerset Council
• DeHavilland
• Mostly Media
• Sightsavers
• Vodafone