BA Politics and Sociology with Year Abroad
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Sociology with Year Abroad BA, a sociology and politics and international relations degree centred on political structures and societal dynamics. Core topics include Research Methods, Social & Cultural Analysis, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course incorporates a dedicated year abroad during the third year before returning for final-year study. The first year introduces foundational themes through modules such as Introduction to Political Theory, Introduction to Social Divisions, The Sociological Imagination, and Understanding Politics. The second year examines theoretical frameworks and contemporary issues via modules including Modern Sociological Theory, Comparative Politics, Research Design, and International Relations Theory. Optional modules across various stages allow students to focus on areas like gender, global security, international political economy, and public policy. The final year involves advanced study alongside independent research culminating in a dissertation.
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 233 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 260 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Left higher education: 4%
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%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 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 360 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 93%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 4%
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
- Year Abroad
- 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 with Year Abroad 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 with Year Abroad 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 with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
88% 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 with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 134 UCAS points.
Does BA Politics and Sociology with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Politics and Sociology with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.