Politics and Social Policy BA(Hons)

Overview

Our approach to the study of politics begins with groups and movements that are often regarded as outsiders, together with their ideas, interests and demands and only then moves towards understandings of the formal political system. Themes, which run throughout the course, are the development of a critical understanding of democracy, the issue of access to power and political resources and the unequal distribution of power. Important areas studied will be social movements, environmentalism, issue groups and human 'rights'. These issues find important resonances in the social policy strand where you will investigate how individuals, groups and societies tackle issues such as poverty and exclusion.

Course duration
Full-time: 3 years (max 6 years)
Part-time: 6 years (max 8 years)

UCAS code LL24
Course content

Course structure

As well as university-based study, this course offers a placement, independent study and international exchange opportunities, and an open choice of dissertation projects.

Areas of study

Your knowledge and understanding of both politics, as an academic discipline, and social policy will be developed. In particular studying politics alongside social policy enables students to apply political ideas and understandings to social problems such as poverty and social exclusion, as well as analysing the policy responses to them.
The social policy strand examines the nature, extent and development of social problems in modern European societies, especially the UK, the involvement of pressure and interest groups in the definition and prominence of different social problems, and the policy responses to them.

Syllabus

Year 1
What is Politics? / Politics in Brighton
Human Needs and Social Problems
Contemporary Social Inequalities
ICT for the Social Sciences
The UK Political System
Social Policy
Social Science Research Methods
Year 2
Comparative Politics
History and Social Policy
Political Ideas
Social Justice, Welfare and Well-being
Research Project
Community Participation and Development or Analysis and Review
Year 3
The Global Political Architecture
Critical Addiction Studies or Transport, Environment and Society
Dissertation
Two options from:
Environmental Politics
Policy Analysis
Global Social Policy
Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
A-levels:
BBB.
BTEC
DDM.
International Baccalaureate:
32 points.
Access to HE Diploma
pass (at least 45 credits at level 3), with 18 credits at merit or above. Level 3 units in politics or social policy preferred.
GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access Equivalent
at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.
Foundation degree/HND
/HNC may enable you to start the course in year 2, if content is relevant.
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.
Location

Location Falmer
Career opportunities

Graduates are well equipped to work in a wide range of vocations, including voluntary organisations, social planning and public service, the media and social research.

Visit the careers centre website.
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

BA(Hons) Politics and Social Policy [L1EA018]

UK/EU (Full Time) 9,000 GBP
Island Students (Full Time) 9,000 GBP
International (Full Time) 12,900 GBP
More details

Excellent Facilities

The School of Applied Social Science is located on the attractive Falmer campus, only four miles from central Brighton. Facilities at Falmer include a state of the art computer centre, extensive library and a media resources centre for student use.

Other student support services include the university’s careers centre, welfare service, a counselling service, chaplaincy and childcare provision.

Research

Our lecturers in politics and social policy are all involved in national and international research cultures, publishing and speaking to national and international audiences, and are frequently reported in local, national and international media.

Ongoing research work informs our teaching, making it contemporary, innovative and dynamic.

Our degrees enable students to acquire the essential research skills needed for investigating experience and behaviour, supporting students to develop the ability to conduct research independently.

Community participation and development

Teaching and research within the School of Applied Social Science is supported by our links with local communities.

The School’s close working relationship with the university’s Community University Partnership project (Cupp) allows us to offer our undergraduate students the opportunity to combine practical experience within a community or voluntary organisation with academic study.

The Community Participation and Development (CPD) module offers the opportunity to explore some of your personal values and aspirations while working for 30 to 50 hours on a relevant placement. Staff and students provide their skills and expertise, working alongside community organisations to help them achieve their aims. For example students on criminology courses may wish to work with a crime prevention organisation while sociology students may wish to work in a homeless shelter or a local pressure group.

It is offered in 10- and 20-credit modules at levels 2 and 3, and assessment is based on reflective as well as analytical assignments which encourage you to look at your own personal journey as well as the policy and practice of the organisation in which your placement is based.
Student views

Jacob Kahane, Politics and Criminology BA(Hons), Graduate and SU President 2012

I’ve spent an incredible three years at the School of Applied Social Science studying for my degree in Politics and Criminology Ba(Hons). Being taught by excellent tutors who are experts in their fields of study and experiencing the best of student life in Brighton. The course provided me with fantastic opportunities to get involved with volunteering and to discuss ideas and thoughts with like-minded people. The course has provided me with the skills I believe I need to move forward with my life ambitions and I also now hope to study for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law, here at the University of Brighton.

During my time as an undergraduate I also spent a lot of my time making the most of the Students’ Union societies, having been Social Secretary and President of the Drama society, where I met some of my best friends at university and had the chance to perform in large, professional theatres. These were once in a lifetime opportunities that I cannot appreciate more and have helped me develop a variety of skills that I can use after university!

During my final year, I also ran for election as Brighton Students’ Union President and, thanks to some incredible support, I was successful. I now get paid to represent the students of the University of Brighton full time, to make sure that they are getting the most from their experience at University. The University of Brighton’s 22,000 students are now my boss and it’s my responsibility to get their voice heard, on both a local and national stage!

Amy Rutland, Politics and Social Policy BA(Hons)

I loved every minute of my time at Brighton University, studying Politics and Social Policy. It made me really open my mind up to the world of Social Science, and to the issues that affect people every day!

The support I received as a student was paramount, and the teaching helped my achieve more than I ever thought possible.