Social and Political Sciences

Our BA Social and Political Sciences will help you gain a strong grounding in the key skills and methods used in the study of modern social and political sciences. Drawing on the interdisciplinary strengths of Birkbeck’s School of Social Sciences, this course offers you the means to understand, analyse and propose solutions to some of the central social and political problems of today.

Why choose this course?

• This course emphasises a global perspective and is taught by lecturers at the cutting edge of applying their knowledge to real-world problems.

• It benefits from an interdisciplinary approach that brings in knowledge from across the social and political sciences, including politics and international relations, sociology, human geography, political economy, criminology and psychosocial studies.

• It offers you the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge you can apply in professions and fields such as political leadership, policy-making, community organisation and social or political activism.

What you will learn

Throughout this course you will develop core skills that you can apply to the study of social and political issues including:

• the character of the state and politics in the present day

• conflict and cooperation in the international political and economic system

• social and public policy in relation to economic development, social inequality, climate change and crime

• the impact of digital technology on politics and society.

How you will learn

This course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening. It is taught via lectures and seminars.

At the end of the course you will be able to design an independent research project on a topic of your choice.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Highlights

• Birkbeck’s location at the centre of important policy and research communities in London provides an opportunity to engage directly with real-world political and social issues. Its research institutes, such as the Centre for British Political Life, the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research and the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research, host regular events.

• This course is taught by researchers whose work is at the cutting edge of their disciplines, demonstrating significant impact on matters of social and public policy and politics more generally.

• We have built up a strong reputation over more than 50 years for the excellence of our teaching and the international significance of our research in politics.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this course you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including an ability to:

• discuss and critique concepts and theories utilised in modern social and political sciences

• gather and analyse data, demonstrating understanding of the distinction between qualitative and quantitative methods

• identify and evaluate the significance of real-world social and political problems, and propose solutions to them

• understand ongoing debates and the interconnection between bodies of knowledge, events, practices and institutions within the field.

Our course provides skills and knowledge ideal for employment in politics and policy and working for political parties, government administration, NGOs and international organisations. It can also be used to progress on to postgraduate study.

You will find our graduates following career paths including:

• political leadership

• public administration and policy-making

• research and leadership in NGOs

• journalism

• teaching

• community organisation

• political campaigning and activism.

Course modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.