Skip navigation

Politics and Sociology

  • Master of Arts (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Aberdeen

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

Politics and Sociology at Aberdeen is an excellent combination which gives you solid grounding in politics and political systems across the world and adds deeper study of the societies we are part of and how they shape us as individuals in all sorts of ways including the political decisions that we make. Top-rated teaching and a culture of dynamic research will make you a sought-after graduate by employers in many sectors, and with strong options in politics.

In Politics, you will be right at the front of debate on current world events – including Britain’s relationship with its European neighbours and movements of regionalisation within the EU and UK. You will explore voting behaviour, different political systems, making and implementing policy, nationalism, concepts of democracy and ever-present concerns of conflict and peace. You can also take advantage of unique options made possible by the research pedigree of our academic team with a strong track record in publishing international papers and articles.

Sociology at Aberdeen will complement and add depth to your study of political systems and behaviour. You will explore how society shapes us as individuals in all sorts of ways and study sociology of the family, work-life balance, religion and society. You will be taught by experts in social movements, conflict and peace, religion and secularisation and global political sociology and become skilled in the social research methods used to gather the evidence to better understand aspects of society – such as observation, interviews, large-scale surveys or analysing the content of documents and videos.

You will have great career options in politics, media, local and national government, NGOs and international affairs and also marketing and advertising, social and market research, teaching, health and social services, charities and human resources.

Aberdeen is ranked 8th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2025)
Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in Scotland for overall student satisfaction in Politics (National Student Survey 2024)
Aberdeen is ranked 5th in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (Guardian University Guide 2025)
Aberdeen is ranked 7th in the UK for Sociology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
Aberdeen is ranked 2nd in Scotland for overall student satisfaction in Sociology, Social Policy, and Anthropology (National Student Survey 2024)

Modules

Course Modules

View all modules on the programme page to find out more about what you will be studying and when. University of Aberdeen modules are designed to give you breadth and depth to your degree. The range of modules you study will allow you to become proficient in all subjects which are directly relevant to your degree giving you greater career options.

Assessment method

The use of various forms of assessment and learning environments facilitates the development of generic transferable skills enhancing student employability.

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods: coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Master of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 13 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
LL23
Institution code:
A20
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
LL23
Institution code:
A20
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Chat to student ambassadors

Discover what it's like to study Politics and Sociology at University of Aberdeen: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

POWERED BY Unibuddy

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBC

For First Year Entry a minimum of 3 A Levels at BBC. GCSE in English or English Language is also required.
For Second Year Entry a minimum of an A in the subject selected for Single Honours plus BB, or AB in the subjects selected for Joint Honours plus a further B. GCSE in English or English Language is also required.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish HNC
Pass

For entry to Year 2:
Satisfactory completion of HNC Social Sciences (120 SCQF credit points). B in all Graded Units. Students should take units A and B of the discipline/s they wish to study at university, e.g. Psychology A (FK8D 34) and B (J030 34). For Joint honours programmes, students must take A and B for both disciplines.

Scottish Higher
BBBB

Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Note: we do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B at Adv Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher.

National 5 English at minimum grade C.

Scottish Advanced Higher
ABB

Second year entry may be possible in most school based subjects. A minimum of ABB overall in Adv Higher is required. Adv Higher at A in the subject selected for Single Honours or AB in the subject selected for Joint Honours. National 5 English at minimum grade C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

For entry into First Year, a minimum of 32 points required, including at least 5,5,5 at HL.
For entry into Second Year, a minimum of 36 points, including at 6, 6, 6 at Higher level in subject(s) selected.
English at a minimum of Standard level required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMM

Minimum entry requirement: DMM in related subjects. GCSE at C or above in English is also required.

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)
Pass

One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3H3H3H3H3

Five subjects at Higher at H3. O in English or in English Language also required for entry.

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: For entry to Year 2:
Satisfactory completion of HNC Social Sciences (120 SCQF credit points). B in all Graded Units. Students should take units A and B of the discipline/s they wish to study at university, e.g. Psychology A (FK8D 34) and B (J030 34). For Joint honours programmes, students must take A and B for both disciplines. https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/find-a-degree.php#faq2

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Overall - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted.
TOEFL (iBT)78TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) - DI code is 0818: Overall 78 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above.
PTE Academic59Overall - 59 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted.
Trinity ISEPassPass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills.
Institution's Own TestAcademic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year)
Cambridge English AdvancedCOverall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCOverall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.

To study for an undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, or through a recognised English language test. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/undergraduate-degrees-english-requirements-268.php

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We are keen to encourage students from the widest possible range of backgrounds to participate in University studies, and we appreciate that not all students have the same opportunity to meet our advertised entry requirements.

For this reason we take contextualised information into account when making decisions on the applications we have received. Decisions are made in line with the University's Contexualised Admissions Policy.

Learn more on the University of Aberdeen website

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.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for University of Aberdeen - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2027/2028. For guidance, the fees on the website are for 2026/27.

Sponsorship information

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - International - UG & PGDE

The University of Aberdeen is keen to welcome talented students from all over the world. To help students fulfil their academic ambitions and ease the costs associated with studying abroad, the University is pleased to offer the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. The scholarship is available to all self-funded full-time on-campus undergraduate students classified as international fee status. The amount for students commencing in AY 27/28 has not been confirmed. The scholarship amount will be deducted from your tuition fees, as a fee waiver.

Eligible students must be registering for a full-time on-campus program (Aberdeen) and cannot be fully sponsored or in receipt of fully funded external scholarships or other University of Aberdeen scholarships, except for awards granted by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust. Please note that the scholarship does not apply to the DPLP, Dentistry or Medicine.

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/645

Related courses

At University of Aberdeen

Like this page