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(Full time) 2023 start

Social and Political Sciences BSc

Course information for 2022 start

Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders

We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs

Overview

This interdisciplinary degree combines the study of society with cultural and political processes which shape human experience. As a Social and Political Sciences student, you will study the organisation and structure of society and consider the changing nature of human action, as well as the political theories that structure our political systems and the social forces that shape political life. You’ll gain expertise in analysis, research, critical thinking and more as you develop an understanding of key topics.

In addition to areas such as comparative politics and central problems in sociology, you’ll use examples from around the world to gain a firm grounding in the institutions and practices of modern political systems while exploring social values and the impact of social divisions.

The second and third years have a large amount of choice with very few compuslory modules. This reflects the broad scope of this exciting joint programme which brings together expertise from the School of Sociology and Social Policy together with the School of Politics and International Studies.

Within this flexible approach, you will be able to construct your own programme in line with your interests and skills either combining a wide range of different subjects or selecting a theme to specialise in, with one of our optional module routes:

  • Divisions and Inequalities
  • Crime and (In)Security
  • Global Development
  • Understanding Policy
  • Culture, Media and Technology

Course content

The programme is structured by a 'core' module pathway that guarantees a platform of learning and training complimented by a wide range of optional modules, enabling you to develop your interests in specialist areas. Within this 'optional' element, you will be able to follow one of our module 'routes' or construct your own programme in line with your interests and skills.

You'll have the opportunity to study abroad which will enable you to develop an international perspective on your subject or undertake a work placement which will help you to develop your skills, and give you an insight into working life in a particular organisation or sector. Throughout the course, you'll gain a diverse set of skills that will be valuable to you as a citizen, as well as for your future career plans.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Social and Political Sciences BSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • British Politics 20 credits
  • International Politics 20 credits
  • Politics and Social Transformation 20 credits
  • Sociology of Modern Societies 20 credits

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

You can select up to 20 credits of optional modules.

  • Understanding and Researching the City 20 credits
  • Understanding and Researching Contemporary Society 20 credits

Discovery modules

Depending on the number of optional modules you select, you can choose up to 40 credits of discovery modules.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods 20 credits
  • You will choose 20 credits from the below options:
  • Theories of International Relations 20 credits
  • Revolution and Reaction: Political Problems in the 20th Century 20 credits
  • Justice, Community and Conflict 20 credits
  • Key Debates in Social Policy 20 credits
  • Central Problems in Sociology 20 credits

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

You will choose 80 credits of optional modules. You can either choose to follow a themed route or select your own suite of options across different areas.

  • State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic 20 credits
  • Spin Doctors and Electioneering 20 credits
  • North-South Linkages 20 credits
  • Politics and Policy in the EU 20 credits
  • Politics of Contemporary China 20 credits
  • State and Politics in Africa 20 credits
  • Security Studies 20 credits
  • Crime, Law and Regulation 20 credits
  • Disability Studies: An Introduction 20 credits
  • The Sociology of Gender 20 credits
  • Crime, Race and Ethnicity 20 credits
  • Debates in Childhood and Youth 20 credits
  • The Sociology of Culture 20 credits
  • Racism, ethnicity, migration and decolonial studies 20 credits
  • Central Problems in Sociology 20 credits
  • Sociology and the Climate Crisis 20 credits
  • Urban Disorders, Social Divisions and Social Control 20 credits
  • Social and Public Policy beyond the University 20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

You will select one of the following dissertation options below:

  • Dissertation (Politics and International Studies) 40 credits
  • Dissertation (Sociology OR Social Policy) PLUS 20 credit research skills module 60 credits

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

You will choose 60-80 credits (depending on your dissertation choice) of optional modules. You can either choose to continue a themed route from your second year, take a new pathway or select your own suite of options across different areas.

  • State of Emergency: Social science and the COVID-19 pandemic 20 credits
  • Crime, Law and Social Change: Crime and Criminal Justice in Historical Perspective 20 credits
  • British Foreign Policy 20 credits
  • International Development and Social Policy 20 credits
  • Violence and Reconciliation in Africa 20 credits
  • Britain and the EU 20 credits
  • Gender and Security in Global Politics 20 credits
  • American Foreign Policy 20 credits
  • Nuclear Weapons and Global Politics 20 credits
  • Terrorism: Concepts, Debates, Cases 20 credits
  • Philosophy of Human Rights 20 credits
  • Radical Political Ideas 20 credits
  • Reimagining Politics: Gender, Race, and Popular Culture 20 credits
  • Video Games: Politics, Society and Culture 20 credits
  • Disability and Development 20 credits
  • State Crime and Immorality 20 credits
  • Global Terrorism and Violence 20 credits
  • Gender, Technologies and the Body 20 credits
  • Ethnicity and Popular Culture 20 credits

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you gain a diverse set of skills. These will include seminars and workshops where you can discuss in more depth the topics set out in traditional lectures. We emphasise the importance of participation, presentation skills and group work.

Independent study is also a vital element of the course, as it allows you to develop your research and critical skills while preparing for taught sessions.

You’ll also have a personal tutor – one of our academics – who will be on hand to offer you guidance and support on academic issues, such as module choices, as well as career and personal matters.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Modules will use a variety of assessment methods. As well as traditional exams, you could also be asked to complete essays, case study based projects, policy briefs, group presentations, work logs, research briefs or project proposals. In your final year you’ll also submit a 12,000 word final year project.

Entry requirements, fees and applying

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

We do not require A-level Sociology or Politics for this course. However, in general you should be in the process of studying social science, arts and humanities subjects for A-level. See our accepted subjects document to see which subjects we accept.

We accept A-level General Studies.

When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attact an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A -level and grade A in the EPQ.

GCSE: grade 4/C or above in Mathematics.

  • Access to HE Diploma

    Complete 60 credits with 45 credits Distinction grade at Level 3.

  • BTEC

    DDD

  • Cambridge Pre-U

    D3, D3, M1

  • International Baccalaureate

    35 overall (6,5,5 higher)

  • Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

    (Leaving Certificate): AAAAAB

  • Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

    AAAAB overall (AB at advanced level)

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer:

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, we offer a foundation year for UK students who meet specific widening participation criteria. Learn more about the BA Social Science (foundation year).

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Sociology and Social Policy Undergraduate Admissions Team.

International foundation year

If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:

If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.


Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

We typically receive a high number of applications for this course. To ensure we treat all applications fairly and equitably, we review applications after the UCAS deadline before making a final decision. All applications received before the UCAS deadline are guaranteed equal consideration. Please see our Admissions Guidance page for more details as well as advice on personal statements.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

UK: £9,250

International: £22,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Career opportunities

Graduate destinations

Our graduates secure employment with some of the biggest UK companies in human resources, communications management, broadcasting and advertising. They are also ideally equipped to work in the public and third sector including in the Civil Service, teaching, youth work, fostering/children’s services, probation services, social work, prison service, housing and homelessness prevention.

Postgraduate opportunities

Graduates from this programme are well prepared for postgraduate study across a range of disciplines. Our recent graduates have gone on to study sociology, social policy, teacher training, journalism, occupational therapy, human resources, marketing, social work, criminal justice studies and social research.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 300 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Read more about Study Year Abroad.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.