| UCAS code | LLH2 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Politics and International Relations |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB |
| UCAS code | LL23 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Politics and International Relations |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
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
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 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2025
We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research
Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021
Top 150 in the world for Political Sciences
Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings 2024
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 in the world for Politics
QS World University Subject Rankings 2025
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 |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| 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
| Code | Module | 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
| Code | Module | 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
| Code | Module | 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
| Code | Module | 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
| Code | Module | 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
| Code | Module | 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.
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.
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.
Top 150 in the world for Political Sciences
Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings 2024
