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Politics and Sociology

Course details
  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Stag Hill

Course summary

Why choose this course
Politics and sociology is about people power: how can we harness the structures of politics and society enable us to address shared social challenges.

  • Take the opportunity to get industry-ready with our award-winning Professional Training placements.

  • You’ll develop a full range of social and political research skills highly sought after by employers and ideal for developing a career in the public sector, policy development, business or research.

  • Our course will introduce you to the most important social policy questions in the UK, around Europe, and the world, and explore how those who make decisions impact on others.

  • Along the way you’ll be able to address the social and political issues behind the biggest debates in contemporary society.

We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.

What you will study
Our BSc Politics and Sociology course will provide you with extensive knowledge of the interactions between ideology, policy-making, power and social structures. Looking at social policy from the perspective of political institutions, as well as the sociology of political structures, you’ll engage in a range of debates about the nature and impact of social problems.

Moreover, the study of policy-making in practice will provide you with an overview of opportunities and constraints affecting the way that policy is formed and implemented.

Our degree has Bachelor of Science status, in recognition of its technical analytical components that are highly valued by an increasingly diverse range of employers in the knowledge economy. You will develop transferable qualitative and quantitative research skills, and learn how to design and carry out research projects using market-leading data analysis software.

You’ll split your time equally between politics and sociology, developing a sound understanding of both disciplinary traditions and cultures.

Modules

Course Modules

To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website – the link is under the Course contact details. You will also find full details of the programme, including programme structure, assessment methods, contact hours and Graduate prospects.

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
S85

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
ABB-BBB

Overall:
ABB-BBB

Applicants taking an A level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.

We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking.

T Level
D

Overall:
Distinction overall, with minimum C in the Core Component.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at Grade 4 (C).

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AABBB-ABBBB

Overall:
AABBB - ABBBB

GCSE or Equivalent:
English Language: Scottish National 5 - C
Maths: Scottish National 5 - C

Access to HE Diploma

Overall:
QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit - 27 at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language at Grade C(4) and Mathematics at Grade C (4) (or equivalent).

Scottish Advanced Higher
ABB-BBB

Overall:
ABB-BBB

GCSE or Equivalent:
English Language: Scottish National 5 - C
Maths: Scottish National 5 - C

Extended Project
A

Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.

Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
33-32

Overall:
33-32

GCSE or Equivalent:
English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Overall:
Pass overall with ABB-BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted for either route. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass the practical element.

GCSE or equivalent: Please check the A-level drop-down for the required GCSE levels.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD-DDM

Overall:
DDD-DDM

Applications are considered on an individual basis, taking into account qualifications achieved, predicted grades, personal statement and academic reference. Conditional offers are specified in terms of required grades; we do not make offers in terms of overall UCAS tariff.

We understand that predicted grades are an estimate and will consider applicants who have predicted grades that are a little lower than our published requirement. Any offers we make will align with the grades shown above unless a grade reduction can be offered under our Contextual Admissions policy or our In2Surrey scheme. Details can be found here: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/schools-colleges/contextual-admissions-policy

Applicants with a mixed qualification profile (e.g. those taking A-levels and BTEC qualifications) are encouraged to contact admissions@surrey.ac.uk for guidance on the grades accepted.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.56.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/international/english-language-requirements

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern IrelandTBC

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for up-to-date information on our fees for 2027/28:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/undergraduate-2027-entry

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 1

The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.

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