About this course
Combined degrees provide an opportunity to study two subjects as part of the same course and develop your interests in multiple areas. You’ll also enhance your employability and career options by gaining a wide variety of skills and expertise.
On this combined degree, you'll study 50% Sociology and 50% Social Policy.
See the Single Honours course page for each subject for more information on course content. Please note, the exact module choice available to you may differ from the Single Honours course.
Sociology
Studying Sociology as 50% of your degree gives you a thorough understanding of the way in which society works. Core modules in year one provide you with a firm foundation for future study.
Sociological theory embraces the classic work of Marx, Weber and Durkheim and a range of 20th century social theorists. A further 30 credits are available within Sociology and you may choose from the following modules. Social change and social policy investigates contemporary controversies around issues such as the family, social class, gender and ‘race’. Studying society looks at the basics of social scientific work, including research methods, and an introduction to IT – ensuring you are fully conversant with utilising online resources. Both introduction to crime and society, and controlling crime explore key concepts in the criminology and criminal justice process.
Year two compulsory modules include thinking sociologically: approaches to social inquiry, and social research methods.
In year three, you will have the choice to study specialist subjects in-depth and develop your independent learning. You may opt for a dissertation and pursue a topic of your choice.
Alternatively, you can gain valuable employability skills and opt for our Applied social research module or Social policy project and combine work experience with your studies, by carrying out a piece of research commissioned by a local agency.
See the full Sociology course page.
Social Policy
If you’re thinking of a career in social services or public administration, studying social policy as part of your degree enables you to explore the ways in which governments seek to provide services in areas such as health, education and welfare support.
Studying social policy is all about how we as a society decide who receives support, what shape it takes, and who provides it to those who are deemed in need. You’ll be immersed in current political issues relevant to social policy today, as well as aspects of social change and social divisions that underpin social policy intervention. Contemporary welfare services will be examined in-depth, while you’ll also explore the dynamics of social inclusion and exclusion.
See the full Social Policy course page.