A decorative image outlining the course. Politics and Sociology BA | Undergraduate Study | University of Exeter Skip to main content

Undergraduate Study

BA Politics and Sociology - 2026 entry

Please note: The below is for 2026 entry. Click here for 2025 entry.
UCAS code LLH2
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2026
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Politics and International Relations
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 723192

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: AAB
IB: 34/665
BTEC: DDD

Contextual offers

A-Level: BBB
IB: 30/555
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • Combining Politics and Sociology enables you to study the social organisation, economy and cosmology of a range of societies together with their political ideas, institutions and practices
  • You’ll study topics as diverse as class and social inequality, health and disability, globalisation, crime, countercultures, family life, gender and the development of cities
  • Our broad range of optional modules across Politics and Sociology gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions
  • The Politics student society will give you the chance to make friends, attend socials and seminars and hear from guest speakers
  • Get ready for your future career by developing a range of skills valued by a wide range of employers across the public, private and charity sectors

View 2025 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for Politics

14th in The Complete University Guide 2026; 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Top 100 icon

Top 100 in the world for Politics

QS World University Subject Rankings 2025

Earth icon

We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research

Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021

Medal with star on icon

Top 150 in the world for Political Sciences

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings 2024

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for Politics

14th in The Complete University Guide 2026; 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Top 100 icon

Top 100 in the world for Politics

QS World University Subject Rankings 2025

Earth icon

We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research

Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAB n/a
IB 34/665 n/a
BTEC DDD n/a
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade N/A
T-Level Distinction N/A
Contextual Offer

A-Level: BBB
IB: 30/555
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Course content

The BA Politics and Sociology degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.

You will take half your credits in Politics and the remaining credits in Sociology.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

90 credits of compulsory modules and 30 credits of options.

You will do 60 credits of compulsory modules in sociology, choose 30 credits of politics modules from a list of 4 compulsory modules and choose 30 credits of politics optional modules.

 

Compulsory modules

a - please pick 2 of these 4 POL modules

CodeModule Credits
SOC1000 Contemporary Society: Themes, Perspectives and Case Studies 30
SPA1000 Imagining Social Worlds 30
POL1047 Global Sustainability Governance and Policy [See note a above]15
POL1029 Introduction to Comparative Politics [See note a above]15
POL1025 Classical Political Thought [See note a above]15
POL1019 Power and Democracy [See note a above]15

Optional modules

Politics (30 optional credits)
 

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

 

CodeModule Credits
Politics and Sociology - Stage 1 Politics options 2025-6
POL1000 Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations 15
POL1017 Globalisation of World Politics 15
POL1018 The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First Century 15
POL1020 Politics in Europe 15
POL1026 Early Modern Political Thought 15
POL1045 International Politics of the Global South 15
POL1046 The State of the UK: Identifying Marginalised Identities and Addressing Inequalities 15
POL1048 The Politics of Development 15

60 credits of core modules and 60 credits of optional modules.

You will do 30 credits  compulsory modules from Level 2 of the Sociology Programme

AND

30 credits of compulsory modules from the Level 2 Politics Programme

Compulsory modules

b - please pick 2 of these 3 POL modules

CodeModule Credits
SPA2000 Knowing the Social World 30
POL2046 The Economics of Politics [see note b above]15
POL2059 Political Thought of Modernity [see note b above]15
POL2102 Explaining Public Policies [see note b above]15

Optional modules

Students to choose 30 credits of SOC2xxx Sociology modules or ANT2xxx Anthropology modules

AND

Students to choose 30 credits of POL2xxx Politics modules


CodeModule Credits
Politics and Sociology - Stage 2 Politics options 2025-6
POL2020 Contemporary Theories of World Politics 15
POL2027 The Politics of the World Economy 15
POL2026 Political Analysis: Behaviour, Institutions, Ideas 15
POL2047 American Politics 15
POL2050 Political Philosophy 15
POL2057 Security Studies 15
POL2076 Rising Powers, Peace and Conflict 15
POL2079 Contemporary Public Debate in an Age of 'Anti-Politics' 15
POL2081 Thinking about Race: Perspectives from the Biological and Social Sciences 15
POL2082 Changing Character of Warfare 15
POL2098 What is Law? Jurisprudence from Stone Tablet to Brain Imaging 15
POL2106 America in the World 15
POL2107 Gender and Comparative Public Policy 15
POL2115 British Foreign Policy 15
POL2122 The Politics and Policies of Youth Engagement 15
POL2128 Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations 15
POL2130 Comparative Electoral Systems 15
POL2131 Environmental Governance 15
POL2132 Decolonising Global Justice 15
POL2164 The Politics of Humanitarian Emergencies 15
POL2165 Foreign Policy Analysis 15
POL2166 Gendering World Politics 15
Sociology Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6
SOC2009 Deviance: Interdisciplinary Perspectives 15
SOC2024 Power and Domination 15
SOC2025 Current Themes in the Sociology of Sport 15
SOC2030 Sociology of Art and Culture 15
SOC2034 Gender and Society 1 15
SOC2037 Pharmaceutical Cultures 15
SOC2038 On Violence 15
SOC2039 Sociology of Family and Gender 15
SOC2105 Contemporary Capitalism, Critique and Resistance 15
SOC2150 Health, Illness and Biomedicine 15
Anthropology Stage 2 Option Modules 2025-6
ANT2009 Living Cities: Migration, Place and the Politics of Identities 15
ANT2014 Cultures: Food 15
ANT2016 Anthropology of the State 15
ANT2017 Anthropology of Islam 15
ANT2021 Anthropology of the Middle East 15
ANT2023 Theory and Methods of Food Preservation 15
ANT2041 How Organisations Work: Ethnography in Institutions 15
ANT2042 Gardening, Wellbeing and Community 15
ANT2089 Cultures of Race, Ethnicity and Racism 15
ANT2090 Sound and Society 15
ANT2097 Environment and Society 15
ANT2109 Anthropology of Forced Migration 15
ANT2114 The Anthropology of Prisons 15
ANT2116 Animals and Society 15
ANT2117 Dogs and Cats: Anthropological Subjects 15
ANT2118 Anthropology of Contemporary Britain 15
ANT2119 Social movements and collective action 15

Find out more about Study Abroad

Students spend this stage in a partner University on an exchange or other approved programme of study. The year abroad comprises 120 credits. Assessment is normally based on the credits gained at the partner institution

Compulsory modules

120 credit compulsory placement module

CodeModule Credits
HAS3999 Study Abroad (HASS) 120

120 credits of optional modules.

Optional modules

Students to choose 60 credits of SOC3xxx Sociology modules or ANT3xxx Anthropology modules

AND

Students to choose 60 credits of POL3xxx Politics modules

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

CodeModule Credits
International Relations and Politics Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6
POL3054 Nuclear Weapons in International Relations 15
POL3069 Globalisation and the Politics of Resistance 30
POL3090 Politics and Conflict in Deeply Divided Societies 15
POL3136 Political Psychology 30
POL3168 War and its Aftermath: Interventions and Contemporary Conflict 30
POL3174 International Security and US Foreign Policy 30
POL3180 Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections 30
POL3196 Democracy in the European Union 30
POL3234 Religion, Politics and Policy in Europe 30
POL3240 Women in the Criminal Justice System: Law, Policy and Institutions 15
POL3247 Politics of Biology 15
POL3248 Marxism(s) and International Relations 15
POL3250 Environmental Policy in Times of Crisis 15
POL3256 Trumping the Mainstream: The Populist Radical Right and Democratic politics 30
POL3259 Climate Justice 30
POL3260 Russian Foreign Policy 15
POL3263 Political Economy of Development 15
POL3274 Money, Lobbying, and Policymaking 15
POL3284 Realism and Its Critics: Debating and Applying International Relations Theory 15
POL3291 Disrupting Western and Neo-Liberal Policing of the Global and the Local 30
POL3292 LGBTQ+ Policies and Politics in the UK 15
POL3293 The Political Economy of Chinese Development 15
POL3294 Land, Power and Politics: a critical problem-based approach 15
POL3296 Political Economy of Populism 15
POL3297 Comparative Political Economy: Varieties of Capitalism 15
POL3302 Elections, Public Opinion and Parties in Britain 15
POL3303 Protest, Activism and the Environment 30
POL3304 Political Philosophies of Power 15
POL3306 Contemporary Chinese Diplomacy and Foreign Policy 15
POL3307 International Politics of the Body 15
POL3310 War in the 21st Century 30
POL3311 Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications 15
POL3312 The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age 15
POL3316 Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia 15
POL3317 Authoritarian Resilience in the Global South 15
POL3318 Transformation of Social and Political Realities through Smartphones 15
POL3319 The Politics of Place 15
POL3320 Politics Online 15
POL3321 The Politics of Economic Policymaking 30
POL3322 Artificial Intelligence and Democracy 30
POL3323 International Relations in Global History 30
POL3324 War, Culture and Society 30
POL3325 Understanding Public and Nonprofit Management 15
POL3326 International Politics of the Body 30
POL3327 Strategy and Psychology in Foreign Policy 15
POL3328 Surveys and Experiments: Design Implementation and Analysis 15
Sociology Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6
SOC3002 On Violence 15
SOC3013 Gender and Society 1 15
SOC3030 Sociology of Art and Culture 15
SOC3035 Deviance: Interdisciplinary Perspectives 15
SOC3080 Pharmaceutical Cultures 15
SOC3108 Sociology of Family and Gender 15
SOC3109 Contemporary Capitalism, Critique and Resistance 15
SOC3147 Power and Domination 15
SOC3148 Current Themes in the Sociology of Sport 15
SOC3150 Health, Illness and Biomedicine 15
Anthropology Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6
ANT3004 Living Cities: Migration, Place and the Politics of Identities 15
ANT3014 Cultures: Food 15
ANT3016 Anthropology of the State 15
ANT3017 Anthropology of Islam 15
ANT3021 Anthropology of the Middle East 15
ANT3023 Theory and Methods of Food Preservation 15
ANT3024 Anthropology of Forced Migration 15
ANT3025 Social Movements and Collective Action 15
ANT3053 How Organisations Work: Ethnography in Institutions 15
ANT3054 Gardening, Wellbeing and Community 15
ANT3089 Cultures of Race, Ethnicity and Racism 15
ANT3090 Sound and Society 15
ANT3096 The Anthropology of Prisons 15
ANT3097 Environment and Society 15
ANT3099 Animals and Society 15
ANT3100 Dogs and Cats: Anthropological subjects 15
ANT3118 Anthropology of Contemporary Britain 15

Course variants

UCAS code: LL23

Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.

Why study abroad?

Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.

Where can I study abroad?

We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.

Are there any academic requirements to study abroad?

Yes. If you wish to study abroad as part of this degree course, you must achieve an overall grade of at least 60% (a 2:1) for your first year of study. This applies to all students, even if you are registered on the 'with Study Abroad' variant from the start of your degree.

Does it count towards my degree?

Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are studying abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. 

How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?

For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. You will continue to receive a maintenance loan if you are eligible for this whilst on your Study Abroad year.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.

Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

How will I learn?

We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study with an increasing emphasis on seminar discussion and project work in your second and third years. Teaching includes:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Practical exercises, project and group work
  • Independent study

How will I be assessed?

  • Exams
  • Essays
  • Projects
  • Individual and small group presentations
  • Dissertation in your final year

You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in specified subjects, you may have the words 'with proficiency in’ added to your degree title when you graduate.

Find out more about proficiency options

Expand text

Your future

Develop skills valued by employers

As a Politics and Sociology graduate your understanding of complex political and cultural issues, often in continually changing environments, can be relevant to careers within the private, public and third sectors. Throughout your studies you will develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills including:

  • Analytical, critical and independent thinking
  • Independent research
  • Problem solving
  • Discussion and group work
  • Collecting, assessing and presenting evidence
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Researching, judging and evaluating complex information
  • Articulating ideas and constructing arguments
  • Organising, planning and time management

Career paths

The broad range of transferable skills gained on a Politics and Sociology degree enable graduates to pursue further study or employment in a wide range of careers including:

  • Teaching and research
  • Local or national government
  • The Civil Service
  • Business and finance
  • Charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the UK and abroad
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Management and administration

Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award

Many of our students participate in The Exeter Award and The Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

Developing your skills and career prospects

We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.

The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.

Expand text

Medal with star on icon

Top 150 in the world for Political Sciences

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings 2024