Program Overview
BSc Politics and Sociology (LL23)
2026 entry | view 2025 entry
Course summary
At the University of Bristol, our vision is ambitious and bold.
The politics side of this course explores power, who exercises it, for whom, how it is distributed, and with what consequences. You will gain insight into the politics of different countries, regions and systems, as well as global and local political issues and movements.
The sociology side provides expertise in the study of the social world including actions, structures, beliefs, power and representation. By focusing on theoretical ideas and research skills you will be uniquely placed to understand the fast-moving changes of social life.
You will be joining a vibrant academic community. Bristol is home to prominent sociologists focused on consumption, culture, digital society, environment, ethnicity and race, gender, migration, modern slavery, multiculturalism, popular music, social theory and more.
Many of our academics are global leaders in areas of political study, including international relations, security, gender, political philosophy, international development, peace-building, environmental politics and the politics of Latin America, Africa, South and East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the USA and Britain.
We provide regular workshops, guest speakers, reading groups and social events, as well as support for the student societies associated with this programme.
Skills development is woven throughout your programme and you will graduate with valuable transferable skills that ensure you are well placed to pursue your career goals.
Overview
Typical offer
- A-level standard offer: AAB
- A-level contextual offer: BBB
- Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.
Programme duration
- 3 year(s) full-time.
- Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
- UCAS (Code: LL23)
Location
- Clifton campus
Fees
- £9,535 per year, home students
- £24800 per year, international students
- More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.
Course structure
In year three, you can choose to write a research dissertation in either discipline.
Our school encourages synergy between new research and teaching, resulting in an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Entry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
- AAB including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art and Design (all pathways)
- Business Studies
- Chinese
- Classical Civilisation
- Classics
- Drama
- Economics
- English Language
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Film
- French
- Geography
- German
- Government and Politics
- Greek
- Health and Social Care
- History
- History of Art
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Media Studies
- Music
- Performance
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Social Care
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Studies
- Welsh
A-level contextual offer
- BBB including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art and Design (all pathways)
- Business Studies
- Chinese
- Classical Civilisation
- Classics
- Drama
- Economics
- English Language
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Film
- French
- Geography
- German
- Government and Politics
- Greek
- Health and Social Care
- History
- History of Art
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Media Studies
- Music
- Performance
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Social Care
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Studies
- Welsh
BTEC
- DDD in any essay-based Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
International Baccalaureate Diploma
- 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art and Design (all pathways)
- Business Studies
- Chinese
- Classical Civilisation
- Classics
- Drama
- Economics
- English Language
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Film
- French
- Geography
- German
- Government and Politics
- Greek
- Health and Social Care
- History
- History of Art
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Media Studies
- Music
- Performance
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Social Care
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Studies
- Welsh
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
- 31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art and Design (all pathways)
- Business Studies
- Chinese
- Classical Civilisation
- Classics
- Drama
- Economics
- English Language
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Film
- French
- Geography
- German
- Government and Politics
- Greek
- Health and Social Care
- History
- History of Art
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Media Studies
- Music
- Performance
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Social Care
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Studies
- Welsh
European Baccalaureate
- 80% overall, with 8.0 in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art and Design (all pathways)
- Business Studies
- Chinese
- Classical Civilisation
- Classics
- Drama
- Economics
- English Language
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Film
- French
- Geography
- German
- Government and Politics
- Greek
- Health and Social Care
- History
- History of Art
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Media Studies
- Music
- Performance
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Social Care
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Studies
- Welsh
Scottish Qualifications Authority
- Advanced Higher: AB including an essay-based subject, and Standard Higher: AAABB. Essay-based subjects include:
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art and Design (all pathways)
- Business Studies
- Chinese
- Classical Civilisation
- Classics
- Drama
- Economics
- English Language
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Film
- French
- Geography
- German
- Government and Politics
- Greek
- Health and Social Care
- History
- History of Art
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Media Studies
- Music
- Performance
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Social Care
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Studies
- Welsh
Access to HE Diploma
- Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits (including 9 at Distinction) in a single essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art and Design (all pathways)
- Business Studies
- Chinese
- Classical Civilisation
- Classics
- Drama
- Economics
- English Language
- English Language and Literature
- English Literature
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Film
- French
- Geography
- German
- Government and Politics
- Greek
- Health and Social Care
- History
- History of Art
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Media Studies
- Music
- Performance
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Social Care
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Studies
- Welsh
Welsh Baccalaureate
- Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge Pre-U
- Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
International qualifications
- The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Selection process
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
- If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
- Full information about our selection processes for Politics and Sociology can be found in the Admissions Statement.
Applicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
- Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent)
- Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.