Politics and Sociology

Are you ready to unravel complex societal structures and influence our collective future through the power of politics?

Course outline

Studying BSc (Hons) Politics and Sociology at Aston University will develop your sociological imagination whilst honing your critical thinking and analytical skills to understand global politics and the broader implications of individual actions in society.

The programme delves into real-life experiences and their connections to larger social issues. You will explore the impact of social constraints, class, race, religion, and gender on inequality and life chances.

You will have the opportunity to explore major political topics going beyond the UK and Europe, covering Africa, Asia and North America. You will delve into international politics, analysing the dynamic political, economic and social forces that shape policies, cause conflicts and facilitate cooperation.

You will be taught by research-active staff who are experts in their respective fields and who constantly update their teaching based on the newest research findings. Opting for the placement year will provide you with invaluable real-world experience, boosting your employability.

Key benefits

• Power up your future – Develop the skills employers around the globe look for. Gain an edge in a fast-changing world and thrive in your career with Aston Power Skills.

• Excellent prospects – Sociology at Aston University was ranked 5th in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – on track’ (Sociology; Complete University Guide, 2025), and politics at Aston University was ranked 7th in the UK for ‘career prospects’ (Guardian, 2025), 10th in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – on track’ (Complete University Guide, 2025), and 12th in the UK for ‘graduate prospects’ (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025).

• Safe in our hands - Ranked 7th in the UK (Politics) and 9th in the UK (Sociology) for ‘student-to-staff ratio’ (Guardian, 2025)

• More for less – Ranked 8th in the UK for ‘value added’ (Politics; Guardian, 2025)

• Here for you. 96% of students felt positive about the academic support they received (Sociology; National Student Survey, 2024).

• Running smoothly. 96% of students felt positive about the organisation and management of their course (Sociology; National Student Survey, 2024).

• Earn more – Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £35,400 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2024)

• Gold standard teaching – Aston University was awarded Gold – the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Where can this degree take me?

The transferable skills that our politics and sociology programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

• Graduate project manager

• Governance support officer

• Legislation officer

• Domestic abuse support worker

• Business development consultant

• Policy adviser

• Equality engagement officer

• Financial well-being apprentice

• External relations officer

• Democratic and electoral service officer

• Teacher

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies and public sector organisations such as: Aldi, Birmingham City Council, Civil Service, Octopus Energy, National Citizen Service, IBM, ThinkYoung, Trafford Housing Trust and West Midlands Police.