This course focuses on contemporary political and social problems. You will be encouraged to engage with current affairs to develop your knowledge and understanding of political and social situations across a range of issues. UWL is the career university, the BA (Hons) Politics with Sociology will prepare you for professional employment.

The politics and sociology course modules are developed to provide you with the opportunity to learn to reflect on social and political problems and to make critical judgements. The teaching aims to promote professional-level  knowledge, skills and critical thinking to ensure you develop key graduate attributes such as an ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team; become an effective communicator and problem solver.

The course is taught by research active staff who have practical as well as academic experience. Throughout the course you will be supported by a number of tutors who have a wide range of interests within the subject area. This will ensure that you are able to specialise in a specific area within international relations and sociology of interest to you. In your final year dissertation you will have the opportunity to study a particular topic in-depth.

All classes are taught in an engaging and participatory manner. You will be encouraged to try out what you have learned via a range of activities, such as:

• practical sessions
• workshop
• in-class debates
• creative reflection
• using on-line and other media.

Furthermore, the personal tutoring system will ensure that you have the academic support you need throughout your course.

Placement

In your second year you will undertake ‘Working in Political and International Contexts’ placement which will enable you to develop a portfolio of work-based learning and experience. Throughout the module expert advice will be given about the different employment opportunities open to you as a result of taking this degree. Careers in international organisations, government, NGO’s, transnational charities and aid organisations will all be featured as possibilities for your future.

Upon successful course completion career progression routes include working in:

• national and international government organisations
• public sector
• NGOs
• third sector organisations
• diplomacy
• probation service
• teaching.