International Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons)

at City University of London

This degree offers a broad understanding of these two complementary subjects, with a special focus on how the local and the global relate to each other.
 

You’ll study topics such as culture, identity, class, international political theory, and the global political economy.
 

You’ll learn about how specific actors and institutions emerge, how ideas shape global politics, and how social dynamics affect us all. You’ll explore the organisation of contemporary societies and the structures that define our everyday lives.
 

• Develop transferable skills in the analysis, interpretation and production of social data, including sought-after data literacy and quantitative skills

• Gain knowledge and expertise for a future career in politics, policy making, the civil service or government

• Become a critical thinker with an in-depth understanding of the complex interplay of local and global forces

• Benefit from our central location in a global city, close to national political institutions and organisations, and with access to a wide range of internship opportunities

• Boost your employability with an optional placement year.
   

  Course content
   

  During your three years of study on this International Politics and Sociology BSc, you will develop a strong understanding of the interplay between social factors and international politics. You’ll focus on how local and global forces combine to shape our economy and society.
   

  Year 1

   

• Myths and Mysteries in World Politics (15 credits)

• International Relations Theories (15 credits)

• Studying Politics (15 credits)

• Introduction to Political and Economic Data Analysis (15 credits)

• Culture and Society (15 credits)

• Researching Society: Qualitative Methods (15 credits)

• Classical Social Theory (15 credits)

• Sociology in Action (15 credits)
   

  Year 2

   

• Advanced Theories of Global Politics (15 credits)

• Contemporary Social Theory (15 credits)

• Qualitative Methods of Analysing Social Research data (15 credits)

• Quantitative Analysis of Social Research Data (15 credits)

• Security Studies: Conceptual Approaches (15 credits)

• Security Studies: Contemporary and Emerging Issues (15 credits)

• Foreign Policy Analysis: Theories and Issues (15 credits)

• Foreign Policy Analysis: Instruments and Practice (15 credits)

• Religion and Politics in the Age of Global Change (15 credits)

• Transnational Social Movements (15 credits)

• Practical Politics (15 credits)

• Understanding Social Change (15 credits)

• New Media Challenges (15 credits)

• Sociology of Race and Racism (15 credits)

• News and Society (15 credits)

• States and Markets in the Era of Globalization (15 credits)

• Comparative Political Economy (15 credits)

• Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics (15 credits)

• Politics of the USA (15 credits)

• Comparative Asian Politics (15 credits)

• Analysing Political and Economic Data in the Real World (15 credits)

• Advanced Principles of Economics: Financial Markets and Corporate Systems (15 credits)

• Political Risk Analysis (15 credits)

• Violent Politics: Riots, Civil wars & State repression (15 credits)

• Political Psychology: Reason & Emotion in Politics (15 credits)

• Theories of International Political Economy (15 credits)

• Fifty Shades of Red – Russia in the Twentieth Century (15 credits)

• The American Century: The United States in the Twentieth Century (15 credits)

• Cultures of Benevolence: Philanthropy and Civil Society from 1601 to the Present (15 credits)

• India in the Eighteenth Century (15 credits)

• Micro-Placement (15 credits)

• Slavery, Colonialism and Revolution in the Caribbean (15 credits)
   

  Year 3

   

• Final Year Dissertation Project (45 credits)

• The Global Politics of Forced Migration (15 credits)

• Advanced Topics in International Political Economy (15 credits)

• Global Governance (15 credits)

• American Foreign Policy (15 credits)

• The Global Political Economy of Development (15 credits)

• Political Change in Europe (15 credits)

• Governance of the Global Economy (15 credits)

• Global Money and Finance (15 credits)

• Global Ethics: Power and Principle in World Politics (15 credits)

• The Theory and Practice of Conflict and Peace (15 credits)

• Technology, Money, Power (15 credits)

• Political Economy of Global Inequality (15 credits)

• Ethnicity and nationalism: Global comparisons (15 credits)

• Geopolitical Macroeconomy (15 credits)

• Advanced Political and Economic Data Analysis (15 credits)

• The Multinational Corporation: Governance, Politics, Ethics (15 credits)

• Sexuality and Gender in World Politics (15 credits)

• Radicals and Reformers: LeftWing Politics and Activism in Britain and the World since 1945 (15 credits)

• Revolution: Rebels and Riots in Modern History (15 credits)

• Comparative Empires in the Modern Era (15 credits)

• Genocide and the Holocaust in History and Memory (15 credits)

• Culture, Racisms and Resistance (15 credits)

• Disruptive Divas. Riot Grrrls and Bad Sistas: A History of Women in Popular Music (15 credits)

• Policing (15 credits)

• Emotions, Identity and Relationships (15 credits)

   

• Poverty: What Counts? (15 credits)

• Political Communication (15 credits)

• Culture, Race, Difference (15 credits)

• Interrogating Consumer Culture (15 credits)

• Reporting Conflict (15 credits)

• Reporting Business (15 credits)

• Micro-Placement (15 credits)

• Industry Placements (15 credits)

• Year Placement: Integrated Professional Training (15 credits)

• Language modules (15 credits)

• UK
   

  A-level:

  BBB
   

  Tariff:

  120 UCAS tariff points
   

  International Baccalaureate:

  29 points with 5 or better in three Higher Level subjects
   

  BTEC:

  DDM
   

  GCSE:

  A minimum of grade 4 (C) in GCSE English Language and Mathematics in addition to other outlined requirements.
   

  Contextual offers

  We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care or are the first in their family to enter Higher Education. Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.

  Read our contextual admissions policy for eligibility criteria and further information.
   

  Mixed qualifications

  Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A Levels and a BTEC qualification.

  In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A Level Mathematics at grade B.'
   

  Subject exclusions

  We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.
   

  Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

  We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.

  The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
   

  AS levels

  We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
   

  University preparation programmes

  If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.
   

  Access to Higher Education

  We welcome Access course applications from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits. Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.

  A typical offer for an Access applicant would be: Pass 60 credits, 45 Level 3 including at least 27 at distinction and the remaining 18 at merit. The Access qualification should be supplemented by at least a grade 4 (C) in Mathematics and English Language at GCSE.

   

  English language requirements
   

  If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

  IELTS:

  6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

  PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component.

Fees for year 2022/23
 

UK

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£16,560

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/ 23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.

Career
 

You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills alongside an expert insight into the global political landscape. This expertise is transferable and highly sought-after in a range of careers.

You will be well suited to a wide range of career options, including:

• the Civil Service

• NGOs

• journalism

• teaching and education

• international organisations

• the corporate sector.

Recent employers include:

• The Conservative Party

• The Department for Business

• ESA Market Research

• The London Borough of Islington.
   

Placements
 

As a student on this course you can choose to undertake a work placement for one year between your second and third years. The degree awarded is a BSc (Hons) International Politics and Sociology with Integrated Professional Training.