Course summary
Aston University is The Guardian's 'University of the Year' 2020. Course outline As a student on the BSc (Hons) International Relations and Sociology course, you’ll explore the major political and social issues faced by governments across the world. You will develop a knowledge and understanding of the international state system, the structure and purpose of international organisations and the roles played by international institutions, other intergovernmental organisations, multinational corporations and NGOs. On the sociology strand of the course, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of social processes, organisational dynamics and inter-group relationships. 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 how politics is intertwined with the profit-making aims pursued by big corporations and how their combined interests dominate our social imaginations. 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. Important strengths of the programme include its focus on key contemporary issues in international relations and policy, such as global economic change and the environment as well as international comparisons of government policies. During the final year, you will explore more specialised topics through the completion of an individual research dissertation and a range of modules covering topics such as the international relations of East Asia, US foreign policy, and the international relations between post-Soviet Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. 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.
- 95 per cent of students studying international relations courses at Aston agreed that they had been able to contact staff when they need to (National Student Survey, 2020).
- 100 per cent of students studying sociology courses at Aston said that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2020).
- Employed Aston sociology graduates earn £4,000 (23 per cent) more than the UK average, one year after graduation (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2020).
Course details
Modules
For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/international-relations-and-sociology-bsc/september-2022
Assessment method
For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/international-relations-and-sociology-bsc
How to apply
26Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
All applications are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed carefully, including previous and predicted qualifications, experience, reference and your motivation to study the course. Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard. However, any offer made will not be lower than stated above. Entry onto our Foundation Year maybe offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved. Aston University welcomes applications from students with a wide range of qualifications from the UK and overseas, including combinations of qualifications. If your qualifications are not listed here and you wish to check whether they meet the entry requirements for this course, please contact the university.
Unistats information
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £16300 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students.
* Please note that the tuition fees stated are for 2022 entry. 2023 tuition fees are subject to approval and will be published on this website at the earliest opportunity.
**The latest information relating to EU students and tuition fees for 2021 can be found on the UCAS website at: https://www.ucas.com/finance/finance-international-and-eu-students.
***The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be eligible for home fee status.
^^Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law.
Provider information
Aston University, Birmingham
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
B4 7ET