Course overview
During this three-year degree, you will divide your time equally between politics and sociology – acquiring a rich theoretical understanding of both disciplines and a set of practical skills valued by employers.
The course features regular fieldwork and hands-on workshops to ensure that you graduate as a practising sociologist and political scientist. You’ll be trained to conduct surveys, evaluate statistics, and use SPSS – the professional-standard data analysis software.
With a wide choice of modules throughout, you can tailor your degree to your interests – whether it’s the sociology of crime or race, or the politics of the UK parliament, international diplomacy or the far-right in Europe.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Top 200 for Sociology – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 150 for Politics and International Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Stage 1
You will take a small number of core modules, learning how political and social forces interact, and acquiring some of the skills you will need in your studies.
You will then pick a larger number of modules, half in sociology and half in politics, covering subjects such as epistemology and social imagination, the foundations of modern political thought, Refugees and Displacement, Environment and Ethics, Hope and Despair, Health and Illness.
Stage 2
Modules
Stage 3
You will choose an equal number of politics and sociology modules, plus a dissertation that counts for double. This involves writing a 10,000-word report based on your own research or conducting a team research project with a local community organisation.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Your work is divided between lectures and seminars, with around 10 hours a week devoted to large and small group study. You will supplement this with a maximum of 28 hours’ private study.
Skills and experience
Practical skills
You will be trained to conduct interviews, evaluate surveys and statistics. You’ll get training in SPSS software, a world-leading statistical software that helps you to understand data, analyse trends, and make informed recommendations.
Business skills
To approach your plans beyond university with real focus, know-how and experience, you can choose to take our career development module in Stage 2.
You will also be able to put your learning into practice further by conducting real-world political research for a local organisation in Stage 3.
Research skills
You will receive practical training in the qualitative and quantitative methods used for political and sociological research, such as designing questionnaires, conducting interviews and analysing data.
You will then conduct your own original research to produce a dissertation, or join a policy research group to address a real-life local issue.
Opportunities
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you’re spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Find out more about work placements
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You may choose to spend either one or two semesters on an international exchange at a partner institution. The exchange usually takes place at Stage 3 with either the first semester (September to January) or the full year being the period of the exchange.
Find out more about study abroad
Facilities and environment
Facilities
You’ll be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology’s Henry Daysh Building, which has recently undergone a £60-million refurbishment.
Support
You will have one-to-one academic and pastoral support from a personal tutor and from a student.
A tutor in the department has twice won a student-nominated award for pastoral care in recent years.
Your future
The nature of the course makes our graduates a good fit for roles in the Civil Service, social welfare, education, human resources, politics, customer services and other roles that require an understanding of political and social mechanisms and an informed interest in other people.
You’ll graduate trained to think critically and strategically, and equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue a range of careers.
Careers support
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| ABB | |
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 32 points. | |
