Program Overview

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Introduction to Sociology with Social Policy BA (Hons)

The Sociology with Social Policy BA (Hons) programme offers students the opportunity to combine two closely related and complementary disciplines, tackling some of the most interesting and important social issues of our times.

Course Content

The course content provides a comprehensive introduction to the two subject areas and disciplines via a series of mandatory modules. This includes an introduction to sociological theories and thinking, an introduction to key social policy issues and debates, as well as an introduction to crime as a key sociological and social policy issue.

Year One Modules

• SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (SOCI101) - 30 credits
• BECOMING A SOCIAL RESEARCHER (SOCI106) - 30 credits
• SOCIAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL POLICY IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY 1 (SOCI102) - 15 credits
• SOCIAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL POLICY IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY 2: CHANGING INEQUALITIES (SOCI103) - 15 credits
• INTRODUCTION TO CRIME AND SOCIETY (SOCI107) - 15 credits
• CONTROLLING CRIME - AN INTRODUCTION (SOCI108) - 15 credits

Year Two Modules

• Mandatory modules build on the foundations by introducing more advanced and contemporary sociological theorising, comparative social policy, and the study of social exclusion, as well as more advanced social science research methods.
• THINKING SOCIOLOGICALLY: APPROACHES TO SOCIAL INQUIRY (SOCI242) - 30 credits
• QUANTITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (SOCI247) - 15 credits
• QUALITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (SOCI248) - 15 credits
• CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL POLICY IN THE UK (SOCI205) - 15 credits
• COMPARING WELFARE STATES (SOCI207) - 15 credits
• Optional modules allow students to specialise and develop expertise in specific topic areas, reflecting the staff group's own unique research interests and expertise.
  • DEVIANCE, YOUTH AND CULTURE (SOCI252) - 15 credits
  • CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL POLICY IN THE UK (SOCI205) - 15 credits
  • THE BLACK PRESENCE - MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT IN BRITAIN (SOCI223) - 15 credits
  • CRITICAL EDUCATION STUDIES (SOCI257) - 15 credits
  • COMPARING WELFARE STATES (SOCI207) - 15 credits
  • CLIMATE CHANGE AND SOCIETY (SOCI258) - 15 credits

Year Three Modules

• In year three, students are required to undertake a substantive piece of supervised but original research, either in the form of a dissertation or an applied Interchange Portfolio project.
• DISSERTATION (SOCI301) - 30 credits
• INTERCHANGE PORTFOLIO: WORK-BASED LEARNING (SOCI303) - 30 credits
• CREATIVE CONSULTANT: DISSERTATION BY PORTFOLIO (SOCI347) - 30 credits
• SHORT INTERCHANGE PROJECT (SOCI311) - 15 credits
• Optional modules provide opportunities for students to further their specific interests and specialisms.
  • HEALTH, LIFECOURSE & SOCIETY (SOCI307) - 15 credits
  • GENDER AND CRIME (SOCI308) - 15 credits
  • HATE CRIME AND 'THE STIGMATISED OTHER' (SOCI313) - 15 credits
  • THE RISK SOCIETY: CRIME, SECURITY AND PUBLIC POLICY (SOCI320) - 15 credits
  • THE VIOLENCE OF NEO-IMPERIALISM: STATE-CORPORATE CRIME IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH (SOCI322) - 15 credits
  • CULTURE, ECONOMY AND CITIES (SOCI327) - 15 credits
  • GENDER AND THE WELFARE STATE (SOCI332) - 15 credits
  • SOCIOLOGIES OF CLASS AND INEQUALITY (SOCI335) - 15 credits
  • DRUGS, CRIME AND SOCIETY (SOCI339) - 15 credits
  • CONTEMPORARY CULTURE AND THE SEDUCTIONS OF CRIME (SOCI340) - 15 credits
  • 'RACE', COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY (SOCI346) - 15 credits
  • CRIME, JUSTICE AND THE SEX INDUSTRY (SOCI349) - 15 credits
  • LOVE, HATE AND ANGER: EMOTIONS AND SOCIETY (SOCI354) - 15 credits
  • CYBER CRIME, HARM, AND VICTIMISATION (SOCI362) - 15 credits
  • BODIES, POLITICS AND MORALITY (SOCI363) - 15 credits
  • COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SOCI369) - 15 credits
  • ARCHITECTURE AND POWER: PARLIAMENTS, PRISONS AND COURTS (SOCI372) - 15 credits
  • MEN, MASCULINITIES AND SOCIAL CHANGE (SOCI374) - 15 credits
  • ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION: A CRITICAL EXPLORATION (SOCI378) - 15 credits
  • LOVE AND MARRIAGE: THE SOCIOLOGY OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS (SOCI380) - 15 credits

Teaching and Assessment

Students are taught through a combination of face-to-face teaching in group lectures and small class sessions, tutorials, and seminars, which are supplemented by opportunities to get one-to-one guidance from academic staff during their weekly 'open office' hours. The rest of the study time is spent undertaking directed independent study, making use of excellent library and IT facilities. Students are also supported throughout by an individual academic adviser.

Assessment Methods

Assessment takes many forms, each appropriate to the learning outcomes of the particular module studied. Most modules are assessed by means of a mixture of essays and examinations. Typically, a module in year two might involve a 4,000-word essay or a 2,500-word essay plus a one-hour examination. Some modules are assessed wholly or in part by other appropriate means, such as the preparation of projects and individual or group presentations.

Course Options

Studying with the University of Liverpool means students can tailor their degree to suit them. Options include:

• Global opportunities: University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
• Year in China: Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
• Year abroad: Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
• Semester abroad: Take a semester of your second year of study at one of the worldwide partner institutions.
• Summer abroad: Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of the worldwide partner institutions.
• Language study: Every student at the University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree.

Your Experience

The Department of Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology is based in the state-of-the-art School of Law and Social Justice Building. While teaching takes place across campus, this is the home for departmental support and student life. Just a one-minute walk from the Sydney Jones Library and a ten-minute walk from the city centre, it's surrounded by Liverpool's rich history and vibrant culture.

Careers and Employability

The University enables students to develop a range of social scientific, analytical, and communication skills, as well as a variety of transferable skills valued by many employers in a range of industries. Graduates have gone on to successful careers in public and private sectors, social welfare and criminal justice agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and more.

Work Experience Opportunities

Students are invited to take part in SLSJ Extraa series of talks and workshops featuring experts from the legal, criminal, and voluntary sectors, along with leading professionals and reform advocates from the UK and beyond. Through SLSJ Extra, students see how the fields of law, sociology, social policy, and criminology can open doors to a wide range of fulfilling careers.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK fees: Ł9,790 per year for a full-time place.
• International fees: Ł27,000 per year for a full-time place.
• Year in industry fee: Ł1,955.
• Year abroad fee: Ł1,465 for UK students, Ł13,500 for international students.

Scholarships and Bursaries

The University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay tuition and living expenses, including:

• The Liverpool Bursary
• Asylum Seekers Scholarship
• Care Leavers' Opportunity Bursary
• Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
• Estranged Students Bursary
• Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship
• Nolan Scholarships
• Rigby Enterprise Award
• ROLABOTIC Scholarship
• Sport Liverpool Performance Programme
• Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship
• Young Adult Carer's (YAC) Bursary

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• A levels: BBB.
• Applicants may only offer ONE of the following A Levels: General Studies OR Citizenship Studies OR Critical Thinking.
• T levels: Considered in a relevant subject.
• GCSE: 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics.
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDD in one of the specified subjects.
• International Baccalaureate: 30 points overall with no score less than 4.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3.
• Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher: BBB in Advanced Highers, combinations of Advanced Highers and Scottish Highers are welcome.
• Welsh Baccalaureate: Advanced B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level.
• Access: Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma (Humanities/Social Science) with 45 Level 3 credits with 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5.
• TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17, and speaking 19.
• Duolingo English Test: 125 overall, with speaking, reading, and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100.
• Pearson PTE Academic: 61 overall, with no component below 59.
• LanguageCert Academic: 70 overall, with no skill below 60.
• Cambridge IGCSE First Language English: 0500 Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening.
• Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English: 0510/: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking.
• Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced: 176 overall, with no paper below 162.
• International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level.
• International Baccalaureate English B: Grade 7 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level.

Pre-sessional English

If students don't meet the English language requirements, they can complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the requirements. The length of the Pre-sessional English course depends on the student's current level of English language ability.