University of Brighton
Print

Sociology and Social Policy
BA(Hons)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 3 years

    Part-time: 6 years (max 8 years)

    UCAS code LL43

    About the course

    This course provides the opportunity to understand social problems from a sociological perspective. Students explore how social needs are met and investigate how individuals, groups and societies can tackle social problems such as social exclusion, poverty, drug misuse and homelessness.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2014. Entry requirements for students thinking about starting a course in 2013 can be found in the online prospectus. 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 sociology 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 or 3.

    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.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    The course may be taken in full- or part-time mode. In year 2 there is an option of studying in Sweden, Spain, France or the USA for part of the year. There is also a placement option in year 2.

    Areas of study

    Year 1 introduces key sociological theories, concepts and social policy debates, and helps students to understand social change. It also provides a foundation of knowledge in a range of social science disciplines.

    Year 2 examines different perspectives in social theory and social policy. Current problems, policy debates and controversies are explored from a sociological perspective. Theoretical and ideological frameworks for the analysis of social policies are examined.

    In year 3 students research an applied sociology issue of their choice for the dissertation. Core modules examine the policy process and the relationship between social theory and social research. Two optional modules enable students to apply their specialist knowledge to areas of particular interest.

    Syllabus

    Year 1
    Sociological Imaginations
    Foundations of Sociology
    Social Problems and Human Needs
    Social Policy
    Contemporary Social Inequalities
    Social Science Research Methods

    Year 2
    Theorising the Social World
    Sociology of the Life Course
    History and Social Policy
    Social Justice, Welfare and Well-being
    Research Project
    Analysis and Review or Placement

    Year 3
    Sociological Analysis: critical methodologies
    Sociological Analysis: concepts and theories
    Policy Analysis or Global Social Policy
    Critical Addiction Studies or Transport, Environment and Policy

    You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:

    Programme Specification

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    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.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.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) Sociology and Social Policy  [L1EA009]
    UK/EU (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    International (Full Time)12,900 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help Falmer

    Our Falmer campus is located on the edge of the South Downs National Park on the outskirts of Brighton. Approximately 7,000 students are based here.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Staff profiles

    Sociology and Social Policy

    Dr Kepa Artaraz, course leader

    I teach mainly in social policy.They say the subject is like a magpie because it borrows ideas from many disciplines like politics, Sociology or economics. I like this because it provides us with many ways of understanding society.  I also like its interest in the real world and in promoting wellbeing. So, if you would like to know how the world could be made fairer, less unequal, or happier, social policy is for you. Often these questions are studied in relation to the quality of our schools and education, the future of the health service, the sustainability of our lives or the way in which we can participate to change the world and make it better. It is more than enough to keep us busy!

  • Student views

    Sociology and Social Policy

    Alex Rennie, Sociology and Social Policy BA(Hons)

    Studying Social Policy and Sociology at the University of Brighton was both a challenge and a pleasure. The multitude of topics covered in all the modules I took were richly interesting and enabled me to further my knowledge of two subjects which continue to fascinate me.

    It is difficult for me to isolate one aspect of my degree which I favour over others, however, Brighton offered me the opportunity to fulfil my own potential and develop the skills I believe are necessary to succeed both in academia and the wider working world.

    Having completed my degree this year, I am now hoping to begin an MA in Public Policy at Kings College. I believe that, had I not studiedt Brighton, I would not have discovered the desire to excel in my academic work and strive for a career within the realms of policy.

    Sociology and Social Policy

    Steve Allen, Sociology and Social Policy BA(Hons)

    On completing a degree in Sociology and Social Policy, I feel much more aware of global issues both political, social and to an extent economical.

    During my second year, I took part in a voluntary placement at a local club which was an extremely eye opening experience. It offered me a first-hand perspective pressures and difficulties which people from an underprivileged background

    The third year of my degree saw my attention turn to the aspect of global social policy and was the overriding influence towards my dissertation choice. Studying the topic on a global scale really invigorated my interest in global social issues.

    As a result of studying Sociology and Social policy, I am looking to work within an NGO (non-governmental organisation); however, there are many opportunities for a variety of career paths.

  • Career opportunities

    Relevant career opportunities include policy research and development, youth work, criminal justice administration, health service management, advice work, housing and many others.

    Visit the careers service website.

  • More...

    Excellent Facilities

    The School of Applied Social Science is located on the attractive Falmer campus of the university, 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 universitys careers centre, welfare service, a counselling service, chaplaincy and childcare provision.

    Research

    Our lecturers in sociology and social policy lecturers 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 Schools close working relationship with the universitys 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- and20-credit modules at levels 2 and 3, andassessment 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.

Sociology and Social Policy

Applying for 2013 entry

We have limited places available on this course.

Please call us for advice 01273 644644

Application process
Book your open day place
Find out more

01273 643988
Email sassenquiries@brighton.ac.uk

The study of society and culture

Sociology is an exciting and challenging discipline which studies society, culture and institutions and helps us to make sense of global and social change. Social Policy is concerned with the promotion of human wellbeing, all those things that enhance our lives and make them worth living.

 

Visit our sociology and social policy pages for more information.

 

Visit the school that delivers this course

Open Days

Our open days provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about our courses. 

Related Courses

Applied Psychology and Sociology BA(Hons)

Criminology and Sociology BA(Hons)

Criminology and Social Policy BA(Hons)

Politics and Sociology BA(Hons)

Applied Social Science BA(Hons)

Politics and Social Policy BA(Hons)