Course summary

Foundation courses A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme. It’s a great option if: You don’t have the grades for a full degree course You have non-traditional qualifications or experience You’re starting university after some time away from education You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study. Life as a foundation year student During a foundation year you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get used to university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course. As a foundation year student, you’ll be a full student of the University and part of our community. You’ll have access to all our campus facilities and support. Why choose this course At a time of growing inequality, polarisation, and social and political unrest, how can political institutions address deeply rooted problems in society? Our BSc Politics and Sociology course will let you discover and understand the interactions between social and political trends. 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 are ranked 7th for Sociology and 9th for Politics in the UK in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. Our award-winning Professional Training placements prepare students for roles in industry. We were shortlisted for University of the Year in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. 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. You’ll split your time equally between politics and sociology, developing a sound understanding of both disciplinary traditions and cultures.