BA Politics and Sociology
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Sociology and Politics and International Relations, a degree situated within the fields of sociology, politics, and international relations. Core topics include Research Methods, Social & Cultural Analysis, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students complete a final-year dissertation as part of their studies. The first year introduces foundational themes through modules such as Introduction to Political Theory, Introduction to Social Divisions, and The Sociological Imagination. The second year progresses to advanced study with modules including Modern Sociological Theory, Comparative Politics, and Research Design. The final year involves further specialisation through options like Contemporary Social Theory, Social Policy, Inequality and the Life Course, and Environmental and climate politics, alongside a dissertation project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAB. IB: 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall. BTEC: BTEC options considered
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 96%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 100%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 97%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 61 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 69%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 12%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 12%
- Teaching Professionals: 11%
- Sales occupations: 9%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 71%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 66%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 295 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 20%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 33%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Pathways to Political Research I
- Pathways to Political Research II
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Introduction to Social Divisions
- Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Science in Action Part 2
- The Sociological Imagination
- Understanding Politics
- Modern Sociological Theory
- Comparative Politics
- Research Design
- AI Essentials and Geopolitics
- Challenges to Liberal Democracy in Europe
- Enterprising Solutions to Social Problems
- Gender and Sexuality
- Global Governance
- Globalisation, Capitalism and Welfare
- Housing, Home and Place: Issues in Policy
- International Political Economy
- International Politics of East Asia
- International Relations Theory
- International Security
- Parties and Voters across the Globe
- Politics of Sex and Sexuality
- Politics of Sustainable Development
- Post-Colonial Britain: Race, Identity & Belonging
- Race and Racism
- Russian Politics: From Revolution to Putin
- Sexuality and Identity Politics
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- The International Law and Politics of Armed Conflict
- The Politics of the European Union
- US Politics
- Contemporary Social Theory
- Dissertation
- Social Policy, Inequality and the Life Course
- Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Dissertation
- American Foreign and Security Policy
- Corruption and Clientelism: Global Perspective
- Environment and climate politics: from global to local
- Global Capitalism and Migration
- Global Security
- Identity in Middle East International Politics
- International Cooperation among Developing states
- International Negotiation
- Nuclear Crises
- Parliamentary Studies
- Rising Powers & Global Order
- Social Justice and Politics
- Statelessness and Citizenship
- The Diplomacy of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
- The Politics of Protest and Dissent
- Sociology of Success and Spectacle
- Technology & Society
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics and Sociology at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £47,500. The £36,000 median after five years is £9,500 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BA Politics and Sociology at University of Birmingham do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Politics and Sociology at University of Birmingham?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Politics and Sociology at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 137 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Politics and Sociology at University of Birmingham?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.