About This Course
Sociology explores social life including identities, institutions, social movements and global processes. Social Policy involves the study of social relations and systems that promote wellbeing. A combined degree has many advantages including broader knowledge base and increased employability.
You will explore the causes and solutions of social problems in areas such as poverty and inequality both globally and locally. You will engage with debates about social justice and the creation of a fairer society. By studying on this degree, you will gain a better understanding of ourselves and society. Work experience and international experience modules are available on this degree.
Sociology and Social Policy may also be studied through the medium of Welsh in the course BA Cymdeithaseg gyda Pholisi Cymdeithasol.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- Vibrant Social Sciences community at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
- Focus on relevant, topical and contemporary societal issues.
- Teaching is based on research work by academics in the School.
- Friendly and approachable Social Sciences staff.
- Assessments are varied with few exams.
- Work placement module available.
- Opportunities to study abroad.
Course Content
You will learn through a variety of ways on this course. You will participate through attending weekly lectures where expert knowledge will be conveyed using power-point slides, videos and question and answers. You will also engage in bi-weekly seminars where they might be asked to read an article in preparation and engage in a guided class discussion with an expert in a particular area. Occasionally there will be guest speakers including from other universities in other parts of the world. You will conduct your own literature search in preparation for an assignment. Assignments will be aligned to the teaching on the module. Assignments can include traditional essays as well as other approaches including presentations.
Facilities
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Careers
Bangor Sociology and Social Policy graduates use their degree in variety of ways. Sociology and Social Policy graduates enter a wide range of occupations within the policy and societal field including public housing, civil service, health service, management, local government administration, education, public relations, and the voluntary sector. Since the skills acquired on the degree are highly valued, including critical thinking, Sociology and Social Policy graduates are able to work in many different careers. Sociology and Social Policy graduates can also go on to study at postgraduate level on one of our many MA courses.
EXPLORE MORE IN SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL POLICY
Sociology allows you to investigate social life and the way it shapes our behaviour, beliefs and identity. By studying Social Policy, you’ll be looking at social relations and systems that maintain and promote human wellbeing.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Skills and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
International Experience Year
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study for 1 additional year.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to study with specialists, see a different way of life and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be additional language support available for you.
There are a wide variety of destinations to choose from and when you graduate you will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title.
You can find out more about the International Experience Year programme on the Student Exchanges section of our website.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.