Course summary

How does the political world shape the social order? It’s an immense question. But in this degree, you’ll learn how to break it down into usable parts by studying politics and sociology side by side. Politics has been taught at Leicester since the 1940s and we have always been at the cutting edge of British political science. We were one of the first Sociology departments to be established in the UK, and we now have an international reputation, a wealth of experience in teaching and an enviable research pedigree. Politics and Sociology are intrinsically linked as politics and policies often seek to address social issues. Over the course of your degree you will explore these links and be challenged to look at the world through new political and sociological perspective. You will also gain an understanding of the key aspects of political systems, both here in the UK and further afield. There is no better city than Leicester to explore fundamental sociological concepts such as ethnicity, migration and social class. With a range of vibrant and diverse communities including Narborough Road, “the most diverse street in Britain”, Leicester offers the perfect environment to develop your craft via observation, participation and guided reflection. The first year of your degree ensures that you get a thorough understanding of the main areas of both politics and sociology. In your second and third years you will have more flexibility to shape the course of your degree through the huge variety of option modules that you will be able to choose from. These option modules reflect the research interests of academic staff, exposing students to the latest thinking. Our staff are engaged in cutting-edge research and we believe that good teaching flourishes in an intellectual environment informed by original research. The development of transferable skills is a key feature of teaching here at Leicester. Our courses are designed to improve your skills in written communications, oral presentation, working as part of a team, independent learning, problem solving and information technology.