Sociology and Social Policy, BSc (Hons), with industry placement

Course summary

Course outlineAs a student on the BSc (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy course, you’ll explore the social structures and issues that have shaped your own 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. You will investigate the economic, social and political forces which influence government decision-making and examine why governments take particular decisions at a global, national and local levels of government. You will also study the nature of policy delivery and management by various organisations, such as local governments, schools and businesses, which will equip you for a range of career paths.Key benefits

• As part of your degree you’ll have the option to undertake a professional placement year, gaining valuable practical experience that employers demand. Aston University’s Careers and Placements team was recognised as the ‘Best University Placement Service’ at the National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards 2022.

• Employed Aston University sociology/social policy graduates earn £7,700 (31 per cent) more than the UK average, five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2021).

• Sociology at Aston University was ranked among the top 20 universities in the UK for ‘career after 15 months’ (Guardian, 2022).

• Social Policy at Aston University was ranked second in the UK for ‘value added’ (Guardian, 2022).

• Social Policy at Aston University was ranked 7th in the UK for ‘graduate prospects’ (Complete University Guide, 2021).

For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/sociology-and-social-policy-bsc/september-2022