What you’ll learn

You will establish foundations in sociological approaches to gender, race, class and sexuality before more complex issues between science and race, reproductive politics, corporate power, climate change, aging, religion and media power.

You’ll study the theories, principles and underlying concepts of the main functions of management, equipped with a strong understanding of business models and processes, all brought to life with real-world examples and case studies. You’ll examine how strategic decision-making within organisations takes place, and develop the ability to recognise and analyse the economic, technical, financial, social and organisational parameters within which modern managers make decisions.

The sociology strand of the course is about real-life experiences and how they relate to bigger social problems. We explore the social constraints we encounter in our everyday lives and how they are reinforced by class, race, religion and gender. To understand how these issues perpetuate existing inequalities and unequal life chances, we analyse what impact official politics has on such processes, how politics is intertwined with the profit-making aims pursued by big corporations and how their combined interests dominate our social imaginations. We assess public policy responses and where they are problematic.

Our teaching is informed by our research. When learning about contemporary topics such as inequality, racism, health, migration, sexuality, identity, education, the media, crime and climate change, you will be taught by experts in these fields. Our teaching is constantly updated in the light of our research findings.

Our programme will equip you with the knowledge and analytical skills that will enable you to think critically and work independently. This includes how to design a research project, collect empirical data, handle complex datasets (e.g., through applying coding techniques) and, most importantly, develop an advanced analytical mindset. This training will be essential for your final-year dissertation during which you will carry out your own individual research project. This experience will provide you with a skillset that is highly desired in a wide range of industries and areas of work.

Real-world experience

Your integrated placement in your third year will give you the opportunity to apply your key skills and competencies within a real work-based environment. You’ll also get opportunities to bring your learning to life in a real-world setting, from discussing current issues in the media to undertaking your own research in Birmingham.  

Careers

Our graduates have gone on to work in a diverse range of roles across the public and private sector, from advertising and human resource management, to social care, teaching and public services. Recent employers have included British Gas, RBS, Airbus and Hays.  

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students. Students from over 120 different countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability and our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.  

Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme in social science will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey. We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programmes.

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new immigration route which will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. The new post-study work visa will apply to international students starting undergraduate and postgraduate courses from 2020 at universities with a track record of compliance with immigration policy. Click here for more information on post-work visas.

Modules

Our close employer links and focus on practical experiences to transfer to the workplace means you’ll get a blend of learning and teaching experiences that will equip you for your career. You’ll also get the opportunity to undertake your own research in the heart of Birmingham.

Learning and teaching

As a business and sociology student at Aston, you will experience our innovative approach to teaching, which combines a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, tutorials, group and individual project work.

Traditional teaching is supported by our virtual learning environment that is used to host a range of electronic supporting materials. For example, all business students undertake the Business Game module and compete in teams in a computer simulation exercise that culminates in a presentation to a panel of internal employers.

Because this course deals with many topical issues, we incorporate current media coverage and public debates into class discussions and link these to academic research and commentary wherever possible.

Study skills

There is a much stronger emphasis on reading and your own private, independent study than at pre-degree level. The University offers training courses in study skills, and the Library’s Learning Development Centre provides one-to-one instruction, workshops and study guides for academic research and writing. You will be allocated an academic supervisor to help you with your final year dissertation and a personal tutor who can provide you with help and advice throughout your studies.

To help you manage your learning, we set out your work for the year in online student guides and module handouts, which include full details of all modules including week-by-week lecture breakdowns, reading lists and all coursework assignments for the year.

Assessment

We use a range of assessment methods and most modules are assessed with a combination of coursework and an end of year examination. Coursework includes essays, research reports, individual and group projects, statistics assignments, class tests and both individual and group presentations.

Personal development  

Our business degrees are designed to also give you a range of transferable and practical skills to succeed within your chosen career. We make extensive use of group working and presentations to prepare you for the reality of working life. This experience will develop your team working and negotiating skills.  

The integrated placement year gives you the genuine practical work experience that is invaluable in developing an appreciation of issues such as office politics, which cannot be replicated in the lecture hall.

Our business and sociology graduates are in demand from a wide range of employers where a sound understanding of organisations, management, teamwork and communication skills are essential.

From this course you’ll have developed insight into the motivations and behaviours of people, relationships and community dynamics as well as a breadth of business knowledge, skills and applied experience. You’ll understand people and community dynamics, have excellent communication and teamwork skills, fantastic problem solving, critical and analytical skills, including being able to design, conduct and evaluate research.

Recent graduates

You can pursue a wide range of career paths including business, commercial, social, teaching and local government with the public and private sectors. Recent graduates have gone on to work in advertising, management consultancy, caring and social careers, human resource management and teaching for employers including:

• Hays
• Bosch
• British Gas
• The Royal Bank of Scotland (TBS)
• Interserve
• Airbus
• Solihull Care Housing Association
• Imperial College London
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs