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Politics and Sociology BA Honours

  • UCAS code: LL32
  • Full time
  • 3 years

Master the art and science of identifying, evaluating and harnessing the political and social forces that shape our lives.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £21000

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

During this three-year degree, you will divide your time equally between politics and sociology – acquiring a rich theoretical understanding of both disciplines and a set of practical skills valued by employers. 

The course features regular fieldwork and hands-on workshops to ensure that you graduate as a practising sociologist and political scientist. You'll be trained to conduct surveys, evaluate statistics, and use SPSS – the professional-standard data analysis software.

With a wide choice of modules throughout, you can tailor your degree to your interests – whether it's the sociology of crime or race, or the politics of the UK parliament, international diplomacy or the far-right in Europe.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You will take a small number of core modules, learning how political and social forces interact, and acquiring some of the skills you will need in your studies.

You will then pick a larger number of modules, half in sociology and half in politics, covering subjects such as epistemology and social imagination, the foundations of modern political thought, Refugees and Displacement, Environment and Ethics, Hope and Despair, Health and Illness.  

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Becoming a Political Analyst 20
Politics and Society 20
Optional Modules Credits
The Westminster System: the UK in comparative perspective 20
Key Concepts in International Politics 20
Order and Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century 20
Power and Inequality 20
Politics of Happiness 20
Comparing Cultures 20
The Sociological Imagination: An Introduction to the Discipline 20
Knowing in Sociology: An Introduction to Theory, Methods and Epistemology 20
Understanding Everyday Life 20
Investigating Inequalities and Crime 20

You will take at least one compulsory training module on sociological research methods, or more if you plan to write a sociology dissertation in Stage 3.

You will also choose a balanced blend of politics and sociology modules, on topics such as political violence, the politics of the Middle East, and identity in multicultural Britain.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Researching Social Life I 20
If you're planning to do a Dissertation in Sociology in Stage 3, you take the following compulsory module as a pre-requisite:
 
 
Optional Modules Credits
Career Development for second year students 20
Politics of the Middle East 20
Becoming a Political Researcher 20
Government and Politics of the USA 20
The Politics and Policy of the European Union 20
Power and Poverty in the Global Economy 20
British Politics: State and Society 20
A Global History of Political Thought 20
Political Violence and the Modern State 20
The Politics of Africa: Africa's place in Global Politics 20
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy 20
Politics Work Placement 20
Critical Security Studies 20
Sex, Gender and Power 20
The Politics of Race 20
International Organizations and Diplomacy 20
Sociology of Crime: Social Control in Neoliberal Societies 20
Sociology of Health and Illness 20
Understanding Social Change and Transformation 20
Researching Social Life II 20
Refugees and Displacement: Borders, Camps, and Asylum 20
Identity and Difference in Multicultural Britain 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Your work is divided between lectures and seminars, with around 10 hours a week devoted to large and small group study. You will supplement this with a maximum of 28 hours’ private study.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Dossier

  • Essays

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Presentations

  • Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You will be trained to conduct interviews, evaluate surveys and statistics. You'll get training in SPSS software, a world-leading statistical software that helps you to understand data, analyse trends, and make informed recommendations.

Business skills

To approach your plans beyond university with real focus, know-how and experience, you can choose to take our career development module in Stage 2.

You will also be able to put your learning into practice further by conducting real-world political research for a local organisation in Stage 3.

Research skills

You will receive practical training in the qualitative and quantitative methods used for political and sociological research, such as designing questionnaires, conducting interviews and analysing data.

You will then conduct your own original research to produce a dissertation, or join a policy research group to address a real-life local issue.

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You may choose to spend either one or two semesters on an international exchange at a partner institution. The exchange usually takes place at Stage 3 with either the first semester (September to January) or the full year being the period of the exchange.

Find out more about study abroad

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology's Henry Daysh Building, which has recently undergone a £60-million refurbishment.

Support

You will have one-to-one academic and pastoral support from a personal tutor and from a student.

A tutor in the department has twice won a student-nominated award for pastoral care in recent years. 

Your future

The nature of the course makes our graduates a good fit for roles in the Civil Service, social welfare, education, human resources, politics, customer services and other roles that require an understanding of political and social mechanisms and an informed interest in other people.

You'll graduate trained to think critically and strategically, and equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue a range of careers.

Read what our graduates have to say about studying Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BA Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

21000

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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