Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Page last updated 23 September 2024
Work with leading social researchers to develop your own ideas and insights to help improve lives and the social structures around them, while gaining an excellent skillset that will put you in a strong position in the job market.
Studying people and society, and the science of the mind, helps us understand what shapes different behaviours, beliefs and attitudes in different communities and parts of the world.
By exploring the cultural, political, economic and human factors that influence the way we live, we can engage with, research and formulate solutions to social issues from a more informed place.
You'll an in-depth understanding of sociology and psychology plus research, presentation, writing, critical analysis, and listening skills. You'll learn to use a diverse range of information sets to employ a contextual and holistic approach to social issues and problems.
BSc(Hons) Sociology with Psychology focuses on making a difference to 'self and society' by exploring aspects of both of these disciplines.
In the first year, you'll split your time equally between both, before choosing to specialise in one subject.
Through a broad curriculum, and the support of our staff who are leaders in their field, you'll engage with real issues, and develop fresh insights and solutions to help improve people's lives from a social and psychological perspective.
Learn to evaluate evidence, approach problems from multiple angles, and build your expertise in research, analysis and communication.
Carry out your own research projects to develop, test and apply new solutions to contemporary social and psychology-related issues. Students have done projects on body image and the media, anxiety and depression in young adults, impressions of mental health in education, the psychological power of fascism, and social insecurity in the job market for young people. These are a small snapshot of the types of projects that students undertake.
Gain industry insights from guest speakers, and take part in work-based learning, through our links with organisations such as the Bristol Youth Offending Team, Bristol Youth Education Service and the police.
Activities such as volunteering, placements and internships will build valuable vocational experience, and deepen your skills and knowledge further, to make you highly sought after when you graduate.
Recent graduate Sophia Hanke was inspired by her course to make a short three-minute film titled 'Welcome to Sociology at UWE Bristol', which features students and lecturers talking about their course.
The broad skills and industry-focused experience you'll gain will make you attractive to a wide range of employers.
You could pursue a career in research, education, social work, charity work or counselling, or work in the legal or media sectors.
You could also go on to do a postgraduate course or research degree.
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
All foundation year students study together and will take four compulsory modules covering introductions to Sociology, Criminology, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, and university level academic and study skills.
This will ensure that you have the necessary grounding across all the social science disciplines, enabling you to develop a range of perspectives that will enrich your learning at year one and beyond.
You'll study:
You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into Year one.
You'll study:
*Accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
You'll study:
Plus one Independent Study optional module from (indicative titles as follows):
Plus, one Sociology optional module from (indicative titles as follows):
Plus, one optional Psychology module from:
If you study on the four-year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after Year two.
Depending on which you choose, you'll either complete a placement learning or learning and development module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You'll study:
Plus, one optional module from:
Plus, two Sociology optional modules from (indicative titles as follows):
And two Psychology optional modules from (indicative titles as follows):
* Module descriptions to follow as soon as possible.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learn through a mix of formal lectures, seminars, workshops, one-to-one tutorials and ICT-based learning.
Seminars have a maximum of 20 students, to give you a good level of tutor input and support.
The course give you the chance to interact with different organisations and social groups, and attend regular presentations from visiting practitioners so you can learn about industry challenges and best practice.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 1 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 2 | 23% | 74% | 3% |
| 3 | 19% | 81% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Benefit from our close links with local schools, to take part in education-focused projects, apply your knowledge and engage with the local community.
Get involved in our Social Science in the City series of events, which engage the public in research and ideas being pursued across the University.
You'll have at least 12 hours of teaching and related activities each week.
We'll assess you using essays, seminar presentations, timed assignments, group and individual projects, literature reviews and computer-based assessments.
It will be approximately half coursework and half controlled assessments, although this varies module to module.
Coursework includes essays, journal article and book reviews, research reports, literature review, computer based tests and a personal reflective journal. Controlled assessment includes unseen and seen examinations, timed assignments and group and individual presentations.
Learn more about assessments.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 22% | 65% | 13% |
| 1 | 32% | 58% | 10% |
| 2 | 33% | 64% | 3% |
| 3 | 11% | 64% | 25% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Students who go on work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
We have links with lots of employers, including the Alzheimer's Society, Bristol Children's Playhouse, Bristol Fair Trade Network, Bristol Refugee Rights, Claremont Special School, Lifeskills Centre or The Big Issue.
You'll get help to find a placement and support throughout from staff within the School and our award-winning careers service.
You'll also have opportunities to study overseas on courses that are taught in English and are relevant to your degree. The study year abroad is not a paid placement.
Learn in our modern, well-equipped facilities to support your study of sociology and psychology, including our specialist labs and computing facilities with statistical and specialist software.
Carry out social and psychological experiments, using the latest technology and analytical instrumentation, supported by dedicated psychology technicians.
Investigate perception and eye-movements related to psychological experiences in our eye-tracking labs.
Use our advanced driving simulator to assess the impact of different factors on driving performance.
You'll also have access to our fantastic health and social care library, which is one of the largest in the UK.
Our virtual learning environment is a big part of all our courses, too. You'll get to engage online with study materials, students and staff, and access blogs, videos, podcasts and discussion boards.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Psychology, Sociology and Criminology facilities and see what's on offer here for you.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
This course gives you an understanding of people, society and social groups that will help you make a valuable contribution whatever career you choose.
Our graduates are increasingly in demand by employers for their research and IT skills, their literacy and numeracy, and their understanding of individuals, social institutions and processes.
Many students choose to go into the public sector in local or central government or the civil service. Others take their skills into healthcare, the justice service, education, journalism, politics, public relations or human resources.
You could also go on to postgraduate study and research degrees including gaining accreditation from the British Psychological Society (BPS) through our MSc Psychology Conversion course.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
See also:
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the five year course and then transfer to the four year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
If you exceed the entry requirements you may be eligible for BSc(Hons) Sociology with Psychology.
If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College, which upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to year one of the degree.
Read more about entry requirements.
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644