About This Course
The BA. Honors in Sociology and Social Policy is completely unique to Wales. Bangor is the only University in Wales where you can study social sciences through the medium of Welsh. Studying Sociology with Social Policy as a degree is a popular combination among students. By studying Sociology with Social Policy you will have the opportunity to understand and discuss how society works, how and why people behave as they are, and explore theories and research used to devise, implement and evaluate policies to deal with profound social problems. To meet different interests, the degree program has been developed to provide students with an understanding of social issues as well as the development of core and transferable skills and abilities.
This is a Welsh medium course. This course can also be studied through the medium of English. The English medium course has a different UCAS code.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- We offer a friendly and informal environment, and encourage you to develop your own interests.
- The degree covers a wide range of areas within social science that make it a very broad degree to study, all the disciplines combine different skills such as sociology, policy, criminology, criminal and social justice, and language planning. In addition, you will have a greater awareness of various areas which are incidental to the field such as legal, psychological and political.
- The modules are available through the medium of Welsh, so you will study in an environment where you will meet other Welsh speaking students.
- The course focuses on elements of Wales and Welsh issues, nationally and globally.
- Our staff are recognized researchers in their subject areas, and the course has a good record of producing graduates who go on to study MPhil and PhD degrees, some of which have subsequently progressed to further research.
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. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.
Course Content
Some modules include and maintain traditional forms of assessment, such as exams and assignments with a 50% / 50% weighting, while others use a wide range of methods such as portfolio, work placement, oral presentations, class tests, research projects and dissertation. All our modules are 20 credits which means that a combination of assessment methods is used. As well as delivering traditional lectures we also make extensive use of digital learning recordings available through Blackboard as an additional resource to support your development.
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 with Social Policy (Welsh Medium) BA (Hons) Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
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.
Course Costs
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry and 2022/23 entry).
- The fee for all placement, international, and sandwich years is £1,350 (2021/22 and 2022/23).
- 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
Typical offer is based on 96-120 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels: General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National/Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical/Extended Diploma: considered on a case by case basis
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
- Access
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
- T-levels: considered on a case-by-case basis.
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
To study for a degree, 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 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.
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 information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the 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.
Careers
Because the degree combination is broad, the excellence of the provision means that you can keep your career options open to ensure that your horizons are very diverse. Our provision offers different opportunities to specialize and develop transferable skills that are attractive to different employers. These include:
- Working with data: research, analysis, surveys, information, problem solving, evaluating policy.
- Working with people: assist, advise, manage, persuade, discuss.
- Working with ideas: planning, communicating, training, invent.
You will be given a strong academic background to pursue a career in a variety of fields that combine elements of the above skills.
Local Authority Officers; Research officers / Research Fellows - in various fields; Careers; Civil Service; Mentrau Iaith; The media; Learning; The criminal justice sector.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA)
The BEA is a comprehensive online course that you can work through at your own pace, taking you through all the steps you need to take to explore, prepare and apply for your dream career.
Internships
Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
Foundation Year
A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Sociology (with Foundation Year).
What is a Foundation Year course?
If you don’t have the required qualifications for the degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you.
The Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying this subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to study this course at degree-level.
When you have successfully completed the Foundation Year, you can progress on to the first year of this degree-level course.