About This Course
It is possible to study Sociology as a joint honours degree with Social Policy (50% Sociology, 50% Social Policy).
Sociology, and this course, investigates social life and the way it shapes people's behaviour, beliefs and identity. Its subject matter ranges from examination of the face-to-face interactions of daily life to large-scale social institutions, social movements and global processes. By understanding the social world, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our own social situations.
Social Policy is about the study of welfare in its widest sense. It studies the variety of ways in which welfare can be provided, paid for and regulated, and compares the different approaches nation states take to the welfare of their citizens and others.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- We aim to provide a friendly and informal learning environment.
- The degree structure is flexible enough to offer a range of specialisms and a breadth of choice.
- The introductory year’s work is designed to build your confidence, whatever your background.
- We use a variety of learning approaches and, as well as the development of personal skills, we emphasise the development of practical skills in observation, interpretation, information processing and presentation, all of which will be valued by employers.
Course Content
You will have a lecture each week for each module you undertake plus a seminar associated with each lecture which will be taken in small groups. You will also complete reading, library research, project work and preparation for presentations. Some modules will involve project and/or small group work. Your dissertation involves research in an area of your choice.
What will you study on this course?
The compulsory modules provide an introduction to the key concepts, historical background and contemporary issues relating to social policy, as well as an introduction to research skills.
Year 1
Core Modules:
- Doing Social Research
- Understanding Society
- Health and Welfare Issues
Plus 60 credits in the other Joint Honours subject.
Years 2 and 3
Core modules provide a thorough grounding in key theoretical perspectives, comparative studies in social policy and research methodologies. You will also work independently (with supervision) on an extended piece of written work to be submitted as a dissertation.
Year 2
- Poverty and Social Exclusion
- Personal Social Services
The remaining credits will be made up between compulsory modules in your other subject and, in some cases, optional modules.
Year 3
- Dissertation
- Housing Policy
- Issues in Social Housing
- Mental Illness
The remaining credits will be made up between compulsory modules in your subject and, in some cases, optional modules.
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Year 3 Issues in Housing module (SXP-3210) is validated by the Chartered Institute of Housing, giving students partial credit towards CIH Chartered membership. Students taking this module may apply for free student membership of the CIH.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Sociology and Social Policy Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Course Costs
Mandatory Costs:
Students must submit one bound copy of the third year dissertation currently costing £10.
Optional Costs:
Welcome Week trips: maximum £20.
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry).
- More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
For 2021 entry:
For joint degrees you should also look at the entry requirements for your other chosen subject.
Typical offer is based on a minimum 96 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels
- BTEC National/Extended Diploma and Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical/Extended Diploma: considered on a case by case basis
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
- Access: Pass
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma: Grade C
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted. International school leaving qualifications
International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information here.
We also welcome applications from mature applicants.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
General University Requirements
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.
Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.
EU and International students' entry requirements
For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
More information
Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants
E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:
Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717
International students (non-UCAS applicants)
Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to
Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028
Careers
Through studying this subject you will gain a good background for careers in areas such as health service management, research, social housing and social and community work.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)
The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.
The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.
The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.
Internships
Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.
Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.
Student Volunteering
Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.
The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.
TARGETconnect - Working while you Study
The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.
TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:
- Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
- Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
- Work experience / internships
- Voluntary opportunities
