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BA Politics and Sociology

with Year Abroad

Start date
September
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
LL23
Course Type
Undergraduate, Joint Honours combined, Study abroad year
Fees

For 2025-2026:
£9,535 (UK)
£23,160 (International)
More detail.

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Our BA in Politics and Sociology brings together two subjects that are intrinsically linked within society. This course will prepare you to tackle a wide range of pressing issues within politics and society and provide an excellent opportunity for you to explore the social changes reshaping the world today.

This degree provides the knowledge and skills to critically engage with key issues facing contemporary societies including globalisation; the changing nature of work and the family; gender roles and sexuality; multiculturalism; and the impact of the media and information technologies.

Politics looks at how power is exercised, how political decisions are made, and who these decisions are made by. On this programme you will learn about campaigns, elections, protest movements, policy issues and political ideals. You will explore different political arguments, rival theories and alternative explanations, whilst developing your skills in analytical and critical enquiry, debating and self-motivation.

Why study this course?

There are plenty of reasons to study BA Politics and Sociology with Year Abroad at Birmingham:

  • You will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement through our integrated Professional Development Module.
  • Your experience of studying in a foreign country will help to increase confidence and give you a different academic perspective. We have exchange partners both across Europe and internationally.
  • You will have the chance to take part in an International Model NATO Conference in Washington DC. This experience provides you with a unique opportunity to participate in a role-play exercise of decision-making at NATO, working with delegates from universities and institutions across the globe.
  • We have an on-campus UN modelling event. This is open to all students in POLSIS and attracts students from all around the world.
  • Studying at the University of Birmingham will boost your employability prospects -  we are the first choice for leading graduate employers searching for graduate recruits (High Fliers Research 2024).

We also have a large and vibrant international student community, with more than 10,000 international students from approximately 150 different countries. Find out more about studying as an international student.

Modules

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025.

Modules in the first year

In the first year of your degree you receive a thorough grounding in politics and sociology. Each of the modules you take in the first year will provide you with a foundation for more advanced, specialised study in the second and third years of your degree.

Compulsory 

  • Understanding Politics
  • Introduction to Social Divisions
  • The Sociological Imagination
  • Introduction to Political Theory
  • Pathways to Political Research I and II
  • Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Science in Action I and II

Modules in the second year

Compulsory 

  • Modern Sociological Theory

Then choose one of the following two modules:

  • Comparative Politics 
  • Research Design

Optional 

Your second year of study will also provide you with the opportunity to undertake more specialised study in areas of the subject that interest you. You will be able to choose four optional modules from the extensive list of modules that we offer. These modules will build on the knowledge and skills you have acquired thus far on your degree and allow you to tailor your studies in a way that best fits with your interests and future plans. 

  • Russian Politics: From revolution to Putin
  • International Political Economy
  • US Politics
  • British Politics
  • International Negotiation
  • International Relations Theory
  • International Politics of East Asia
  • International Security
  • Global Governance
  • Islam and Politics in Europe
  • Gender and Sexuality
  • Sexuality and Identity Politics
  • 'Sociology of Race' and Ethnicity - A Global Perspective
  • Globalisation, Capitalism and Welfare
  • Politics of Sex and Sexuality
  • Regionalism and the Global South

Year Abroad

In your third year you will register for the equivalent of 120 credits at the host institution. You will have to undertake and pass the assessment for 60 credits of the modules for which you are registered at the host institution. A Pass is required for progression to the 4th year of the programme. These credits will not contribute to the overall degree classification.

  • POLSIS year abroad
  • Year Abroad Assessment Module

Modules in the final year

Compulsory 

  • Contemporary Social Theory

  • 10,000 word dissertation in either POLSIS or Sociology

Optional 

  • Choose an additional 120 credits from a range of optional modules 

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees 2025-26

UK

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

Learn more about fees and funding and Tuition fees.

International

Full-time, Band 1 (Classroom) £23,160

Scholarships

At Birmingham we ensure that fears about finance do not constrain prospective students from considering university and that excellence is rewarded.

The University offers a range of additional financial support for students studying at Birmingham in the form of bursaries, grants and scholarships.

Learn more about our scholarships and awards.

How To Apply

Apply through UCAS at www.ucas.com using code: LL23.

University of Birmingham's UCAS code number is B32.

Find out more about transferring from another college or university.

Learn more about applying.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAB
General Studies:
not accepted

T Levels: all subjects considered; Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all considered.

Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

International Baccalaureate Diploma

For students starting their course in 2025 the entry requirements are 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.

Standard English language requirements apply.
Learn more about international entry requirements.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

On your degree you will be taught by staff from the Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS). We take an enquiry-based approach to learning, which means that as well as providing you with engaging content about the subject, we also help you become an independent and self-motivated learner. Throughout the degree, we will develop the qualities that employers value in today's university graduates – qualities that will set you apart in your future career.

To help you develop these skills, we adopt a range of teaching methods on the degree. They may include:

  • Lectures – where academic experts introduce you to topics, sharing their knowledge in challenging and provocative ways. Students are provided with reading recommendations alongside the lectures, which will allow you to deepen your understanding of topics and develop your critical faculties and analytical skills.
  • Seminars – where you discuss and present topics in smaller groups, allowing you to develop your ideas, share interpretations, and debate opinions with other students.
  • Tutorials – your opportunity to discuss your work with your personal tutor, usually in small groups.
  • Workshops – problem-solving sessions facilitated by a member of academic staff, usually involving group work.  

Our lecturers and tutors will ensure you have all the resources you need to make your transition to degree-level education.

Learn more about the student experience in POLSIS.

Contact hours

Contact hours vary depending on module choice. As well as time with your lecturers and personal tutor, the academic and professional services staff (such as our dedicated Careers Network team) will be available to offer individual and group support throughout your time studying your degree here at Birmingham.

Personal Tutor

From the outset, you will be assigned your own Personal Tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies, providing academic advice and encouragement, guidance toward welfare services when needed, and helping you get assistance in any areas you may feel you need extra support to make the most of your potential and your time at the University of Birmingham.

Seminars and tutorials

Small-group tutorials/personal tutorials run alongside lectures, allowing you to consolidate lecture material through discussion, and test your understanding through problem-solving exercises.

Independent study alongside your time in the classroom is an essential part of the degree and requires motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. It allows you to pursue your own lines of enquiry, inspired by the taught content, and become an independent thinker.

Lecturers

Throughout your degree you will be taught by lecturers who have worked in the field of political science and international relations. You can learn more about the staff in the school by visiting the School of Government staff pages.

Learning settings

This degree is taught by staff in our internationally renowned Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS), located in the Muirhead Tower on our main Edgbaston campus.

Departments from across the School of Government are all based within Muirhead Tower. The space has been designed to create modern, attractive spaces for teaching and research accommodating 150 academic offices, teaching rooms for up to 100 people and a 200-seat lecture theatre.

Your lectures and teaching will take place in a variety of versatile lecture theatres and breakout rooms. Our rooms are all equipped with wireless connection and constantly updated technology including all the audio-visual equipment that you would expect from one of the UK's premier institutions.

Throughout your time on the Politics and Sociology with year abroad BA course, employability is a key area of focus.

 

We help to make sure that you are employable through a range of department led and university wide initiatives which include:

Input from Professional Careers Advisers in your Curriculum

During the first year of your studies Careers Advisers from the University Careers Network team attend lectures in your course to support you with career planning from an early stage. The lectures will cover career planning, researching career and internship opportunities, developing the skills that graduate employers are looking for, and presenting yourself with impact to a potential employer.

Professional development module

You will have the unique opportunity to take advantage of a work placement as part of your final year by undertaking the Professional Development Module as part of your optional module choices.

Find out how the University of Birmingham is investing in your future.