Program Overview

Sociology with Politics and International Studies - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Sociology at Ulster has a record of excellence in teaching and learning, achieving outstanding satisfaction rates in the National Student Survey.

Revalidation

The University regularly ‘refreshes’ courses to make sure they are as up-to-date as possible. In addition, it undertakes formal periodic review of courses in a process called 'revalidation’ to ensure that they continue to meet standards and are current and relevant. This course will be revalidated in the near future and it is possible that there will be some changes to the course as described in this prospectus.

Summary

Sociology is concerned with developing theories and concepts to explain the origins and nature of the contemporary social world and seeks to justify such theories through systematically collected evidence. A central aim is to provide students with explanatory frameworks relevant to both the wider society in which they will live and the employment settings in which they will work.

Through the Sociology curriculum, you can explore in depth a range of social issues in contemporary Ireland and the world, and understandings of advanced industrial societies, digital society, global development, education, work, conflict, and diversity.

Our curriculum draws on the research strengths of our staff, ensuring you learn cutting-edge sociological theory with the opportunity to explore real case studies. The Ulster University Sociology degrees provide a strong element of research training, giving our graduates access to the best research skills available, and access to a wide range of careers.

Politics is a dynamic subject, essential to understanding people, power, and policies in a changing world. Studying Politics as a minor subject at Ulster, you will be introduced to central questions driving political change across the world today and discover how academics, including their own lecturers, are trying to address them.

About this course

About

There are three key emphases in the Sociology degree: an emphasis on the theories and explanatory frameworks found in sociology; an emphasis on examining the social features of contemporary society within a global context; and an emphasis on developing student skills in the collection and assessment of evidence and the development of arguments.

During your degree, you will have an opportunity to apply your sociological knowledge through a range of projects and learning activities, as well as in in-depth discussions with teaching staff. Our approach to teaching and learning gives you a range of opportunities through the degree to reflect on and shape your developing areas of interest in sociology.

Sociology at Ulster has a history of receiving excellent external examiner reports and very high approval ratings in the National Student Survey (which is completed by final year students).

Associate awards

• Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
• Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS

Attendance

The Sociology with Politics degree is a 3-year programme. Students take 6 modules each year.

Each module usually involves two hours of lectures plus a one hour seminar each week. Workshops may be offered in applied modules.

In addition, students are required to undertake substantial directed independent learning.

Start dates

• September 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Students on the Sociology with Politics degree learn through a range of lecture, seminar and workshop classes. Projects and placements support the applied elements of the degree.

Assessments on the degree include essays, reports, exams, and presentations. Students are introduced to a range of different formats to increase transferable skills and provide the opportunity to apply knowledge in a range of contexts. You will also be invited to explore current technologies in the presentation of your work.

All students complete an independent research study (dissertation) in their final year. This is supervised individually by a member of staff who will help you to shape your chosen topic and create original sociological knowledge.

Modules

Year one

• Introduction to Government and Public Policy
• Foundations of Political Thought
• Introduction to Sociology
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Contemporary Culture & Social Change
• The Sociological Imagination
• Democracy in the United Kingdom (optional)
• International Relations (optional)

Year two

• Political thought: Text and Context
• British Politics: 'Race', Class, and Policy
• Classical sociological theory
• Quantitative research methods
• Contemporary Ireland
• Qualitative Research Methods
• The Politics of Ireland since Partition (optional)
• Politics in Europe (optional)
• The Comparative Politics of Democracy and Dictatorship (optional)
• Populism (optional)

Year three

• Politics of Deeply Divided Societies
• Transforming Violence (optional)
• International Academic Studies (Study Abroad) (optional)
• Professional Practice – Applied Social and Policy Sciences (optional)

Year four

• The Politics of Identity
• Methodology, Ethics and Politics of Research
• Contemporary sociological theory
• Dissertation
• Memory and the Nation (optional)
• Politics and Society in Latin America (optional)
• Global Inequalities: Issues and Challenges (optional)
• Media, Culture and Society (optional)
• Sociology of Education (optional)
• Professional Placement (optional)
• Sport in Society (optional)

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

Grades CCC

Applicants may satisfy the requirement for the final A level grade in the above grade profiles (C) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.

Applied General Qualifications

• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite): Award profile of DMM
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite): Award profile of MMM
• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite): Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade C
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite): Award profile of MM plus A Level Grade C
• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma (2012 Suite): Award profile of M plus A Level Grades CC
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate (2016 Suite): Award profile of M plus A Level Grades CC

Irish Leaving Certificate

96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

CCCCC

Applicants may satisfy the requirement for an element of the above grade profiles by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard (equating to A-level Grade C) as defined by the University.

Scottish Advanced Highers

DDD

Applicants may satisfy the requirement for an element of the above grade profiles by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard (equating to A-level Grade C) as defined by the University.

International Baccalaureate

Overall International Baccalaureate profile is minimum 24 points (including 12 at higher level)

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 55% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access course).

Overall profile of 45 credits at merit (60 credit Access course) (GB Access course).

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above English Language.

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

English Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• Deloitte
• Health and Social Care Trusts
• Ni Assembly
• NI Civil Service
• PSNI
• PwC
• Start 360

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Social Researcher
• Police Officer
• Policy Officer
• Civil Servant
• Community Development Worker
• Assembly Researcher
• Public Affairs Consultant

Career options

The course provides the opportunity for you to acquire a valuable combination of skills and opens up a wide range of postgraduate educational and career opportunities. The detailed knowledge and understanding of society and social life that you will gain from the degree equips you with core skills to work in a rich variety of settings. In recent years our graduates have found employment in areas including: human resource management, health administration, PSNI, the Civil Service, market research, industrial relations, health administration and private sector consultancy. Many others have gone on to take postgraduate courses in Sociology, Media Studies, Social Work, Education, and Heritage Studies.

Our graduates stay in touch with us, offering advice and support to current students, and sharing knowledge from each of their industries. In addition, employability skills sessions are built into our curriculum, ensuring that you can demonstrate excellence in a wide range of skills on graduation.

Work placement / study abroad

Sociology with Politics students have the opportunity to take a year out from their programme to carry out a work placement or participate in one of the study abroad schemes. Students who successfully complete the year abroad will either be awarded a Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP), based on work experience, or a Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS), based on study at another educational institution.

Fees and funding

2026/27 Fees

Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2025/26 entry.

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.