BSc (Hons) International Politics and Sociology degree • City St George's, University of London

Name: International Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons)
Price: 9535 GBP

This course is for 2025/26 entry. Details for 2026/27 entry are also available.

What is unique about this course?

Key information

This joint honours degree combines key sociological and political perspectives. You will develop an understanding of local, national and global social relations, identities and structures. You will also gain sophisticated critical thinking skills, analytical ability and data literacy that are highly valuable in a range of careers.

Start date

September 2025

UCAS code

LL23

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years with placement or study abroad year

Institution

City St George's, University of London

Location

Clerkenwell campus

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept. If your country is not listed please email international@city.ac.uk.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

IELTS:

6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component.

English language programmes

Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

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Prospectus

International Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons) degree Course overview

This degree offers a broad understanding of these two complementary subjects, with a special focus on how the local and the global relate to each other.

You will study topics such as culture, identity, class, international political theory, and the global political economy.

You will learn about how specific actors and institutions emerge, how ideas shape global politics, and how social dynamics affect us all. You will explore the organisation of contemporary societies and the structures that define our everyday lives.

You will benefit from this degree in the following ways:

Develop transferable skills in the analysis, interpretation and production of social data, including sought-after data literacy and quantitative skills
Gain knowledge and expertise for a future career in politics, policy making, the Civil Service or government
Become a critical thinker with an in-depth understanding of the complex interplay of local and global forces
Benefit from our central location in a global city, close to national political institutions and organisations, and with access to a wide range of internship opportunities
Boost your employability with an optional placement year.

Structure

Course content

Through all core modules you will develop the Graduate Attributes, five core skillsets that will help you launch a successful, fulfilling career. Find out more about the Graduate Attributes.

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3

Year 1

Year 2

International Political Sociology (15 credits)

This module asks how we can analyse international politics from diverse sociological perspectives. It will investigate how key sociological issues such as gender, sexuality, class, race, migration, communications and culture shape contemporary international politics.
Practical Politics (15 credits)

This module aims to place employability into the context of Politics by helping you develop the career readiness and practical skills necessary for careers political graduates commonly go onto.
Contemporary Social Theory (15 credits)

This module focuses on the development of social theory in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
Sociology of Race and Racism (15 credits)

This module will allow you to develop an understanding of sociological theories about race and racism and their application to the analysis of specific social phenomena.
Gender and Society (15 credits)

This module provides an overview of some of the main social processes that shape gender relations in contemporary societies. We describe and assess major accounts of the processes of becoming 'men' and 'women.'
Qualitative Methods of Analysing Social Research data (15 credits)

This module will equip you with the skills to employ qualitative methods in your third year dissertation and allows you to deepen your understanding of various methods, how to apply these and their limitations.
Quantitative Analysis of Social Research Data (15 credits)

This module develops your understanding of the fundamentals of statistical data analysis. It enables you to apply appropriate statistical methods to data analysis on a relevant topic of your choice and present your results in a meaningful way.
Security Studies (15 credits)

Provides an overview of the main conceptual approaches to the study of international security, and their contribution to the analysis of a number of contemporary international security threats, challenges and conflicts.
Foreign Policy Analysis (15 credits)

This module is designed to provide you with a comprehensive review of a variety of issues and problems in the study of foreign policy by engagement with the theoretical and practical dimensions of Foreign Policy Analysis.
Global Governance (15 credits)

This module examines the mechanisms by which collective problems and global issues are managed at the global level in the absence of global government.
Ethics and Global Politics (15 credits)

This module introduces you to the traditions of ethical thought in international politics by looking at pressing issues faced in today’s world, such as state and non-state violence that exceeds territorial boundaries, poverty and suffering linked to our interrelated global system of economic and social exchanges, and issues of political inequality in an hierarchical international system defined by dominance and power as much as law and fairness.
Micro-Placement (15 credits)

The module seeks to enhance career exploration and will provide you with professional level experience in the form of a self-contained project with one of City’s external employer partners. Completing the Micro-Placement module at level 5 will preclude you having the option to take the Micro-Placement elective module at level 6.

Year 3

Politics Dissertation (45 credits)

The taught component of the module, which includes lectures and interactive workshops, will cover the main components and stages in the process of designing and executing a research project. Guided by theory and example, you will then use these methods to execute the empirical analysis of your chosen topic and conclude with a final thesis.
The Global Politics of Forced Migration (15 credits)

The module addresses key themes in international politics (governance, globalisation, security, international (non)cooperation, regionalism and the global political economy).
Governing the World: Collective Action and Cooperation in Global Politics (15 credits)

This module examines the mechanisms by which collective problems and global issues are managed at the global level in the absence of global government.
International Politics of the Middle East (15 credits)

This module provides you with a comprehensive review of the International Politics of the Modern Middle East since 1918, focusing on processes of state and ideology formation, the foreign policy of key states, conflict, external powers, and the impact of globalization.
Political Change in Europe (15 credits)

The module examines a broad range of social and political developments and changes taking place in contemporary Europe, with a focus on the process of European integration and a range of political actors and institutions involved.
Ethnicity and nationalism (15 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the major theoretical approaches and problems in the study of ethnicity and nationalism.
Sexuality and Gender in World Politics (15 credits)

This module provides tools to analyse how the power dynamics of world politics are closely intertwined with and draw on the dynamics that shape the gendered and sexual hierarchies.
The Multinational Corporation: Governance, Politics, Ethics (15 credits)

This course will apply your knowledge of economics and politics to the multinational corporation, helping you to understand the real world of the corporation and its social, political, ecological and economic influence.
Global Health Policy (15 credits)

This module introduces you to some of the key political and economic dimensions of contemporary global health issues. It gives you the tools to critically evaluate the governance of health, global health policies, and the stakeholders involved in governing health.
Strategic Studies (15 credits)

In this module you will examine the development of strategic thought and practice from classical times to the modern era, and the way in which the character of modern warfare has evolved – in terms of its actors (who fights), methods (how they fight) and motives (why they fight). You will explore the politics of wartime decision-making and examine the psychological, bureaucratic and cultural factors that may influence strategic thinking.
Peace and Transitional Justice (15 credits)

In this module, you will explore the challenges faced by states and societies in addressing past violence and establishing lasting peace. You will examine international criminal courts, hybrid courts, truth commissions, amnesties, reparations, commemoration and everyday peacebuilding.
Contemporary Political Theory (15 credits)

In this module you will address some of the key debates in contemporary politics and survey the historical evolution of these debates.
Global Migration Process (15 credits)

This module introduces you to a key sociological and global phenomenon. It allows you to develop a global and in depth understanding of this issue, and some of the economic, political and social factors that shape it.
Global Media and Sport (15 credits)

This module introduces students to the symbiotic relationship between sport and the media. It focuses on the business, economics and societal issues of sport as well as the governance of football at national, European and global level.
Broken Britain? Culture, Employment and Society (15 credits)

This course reviews some key features of ‘social breakdown’ discussed in political and policy campaigns. Using current evidence from sociological research in both the UK and abroad it allows us to determine whether Britain is indeed broken.
Emotions, Identity and Relationships (15 credits)

In the context of what sociologists regard as a move towards an increasingly globalised, postmodern and individualised society, this module goes on to explore the extent to which these developments have resulted in changes in peoples’ social identities and personal relationships.
Celebrity and Society (15 credits)

The module will provide you with a discussion of the historical roots of celebrity. It will situate the position of celebrities in relation to the socio-economic conditions in society.
Applied Multivariate Data Analysis* (15 credits)

As part of the module you will be introduced to some of the most commonly used techniques of data analysis. We will discuss the choices that have to be taken at every step of data processing, and their implications.
Education, Skills and the Job Market (15 credits)

Introduces the sociology of work and education and explores the relationship between higher education and work. It also explores the role of education in society and how educational experiences, skills, knowledge and educational credentials relate to the labour market and the work process.
Poverty: What Counts? (15 credits)

Introduces: the conceptualisation of UK poverty, how to understand and critically evaluate the different approaches to the quantitative measurement of UK poverty, the practical measurement of approaches using SPSS, and, social surveys.
Changing Ideas About Society in the 21st Century (15 credits)

This module examines changing ideas about society and the role of sociology in the contemporary era. The module introduces you to central debates on sociological investigation and how it should (and should not) be undertaken in the 21st century.
Digital Cultures and Everyday Life (15 credits)

Explores the sorts of roles new communication technologies play in the transformation of cultural, economic, political, and social structures and practices. You will review the key theoretical debates around new media and critically evaluate the claims being made about.
AI, Technology and Society (15 credits)

This module will take you into a multidisciplinary examination of digital data. The module draws on several fields, including science and technology studies, critical data studies, software studies and feminist data studies to provide students with diverse critical approaches to the way digital data is produced, stored, distributed and applied in our lives.
Regression Analysis (15 credits)

Regression analysis is a powerful statistical method that allows you to examine the relationship between two or more variables of interest. This module develops your understanding of the fundamentals of regression analysis, how to apply it to real-world data and how to present your results in a meaningful way.
Public Sociology and Racial Justice (15 credits)

This module takes a critical lens on what is meant by ‘public sociology’. You will pay close attention to the specific relationship between public sociology and race research, with a focus on the UK and North American context.
Micro-Placement (15 credits)

The module seeks to enhance career exploration and will provide you with professional level experience in the form of a self-contained project with one of City’s external employer partners. Completing the Micro-Placement module at level 5 will preclude you having the option to take the Micro-Placement elective module at level 6.
Industry Placements (15 credits)

Using knowledge and skills gained through your degree, you will work in small multi-disciplinary groups on real-life professional level practical projects for employers, choosing between 5 sector streams, such as policy, finance, community, business and arts and culture.
Language modules (15 credits)

Only one of the following language modules can be chosen during Year 3:
- Any Language breadth module at Level 2 (intermediate level)
- Any Language for specific purposes module at Level 2 (intermediate level)
- Any Language breadth module at Level 3 (upper intermediate level or higher)
- Any Language for specific purposes module at Level 3 (upper intermediate level or higher)
- Any Language for specific purposes module at Level 4 (advanced)
- Foreign Language for Media (Advanced – Portfolio)

Download course specification:

UJIPOS - BSc International Politics and Sociology

Study abroad

We have partnerships with many international institutions and you will have the opportunity to spend your third year studying abroad.

We have strong links with Universities such as:

Asia

RMIT (Vietnam)
Seoul National University

Australia

Curtin University
University of Queensland
Queensland University of Technology
RMIT Melbourne
University of Technology, Sydney

North America

University of British Columbia
Concordia University
Rutgers University
Northeastern University
Toronto Metropolitan University
Queen's University

Europe

Sciences Po (Riems)
University of Konstanz
Koç University
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
IE University

Teaching and assessment

Educating

We educate through a combination of:

Lectures and interactive sessions
Practical workshops
Small group seminars
Personal tutoring system.

Lectures

Lectures provide commentary on and explanation of key content areas. Small group seminars develop your understanding by inviting you to raise questions and participate in the debate and by providing guidance for further study.

Assessment methods

Assessment is by coursework (assessed essays and assignments) and final year project.

Academic staff

The staff within our Department of International Politics are research active, enthusiastic and passionate about their work. Often this research leads to policy change and media appearances. Find out more about International Politics staff.

You can follow our staff’s activity through their Twitter feed: @cityintpolitics

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The assessment weighting for year one is 10%, year two is 30% and year three is 60%. You will be assessed through a variety of methods, which may include essays, set exercises, written reports, policy reviews, oral presentations, group assignments, and a final dissertation.

Assessment will emphasise both intellectual rigour and skills that will be crucial in your subsequent professional life.

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2025/26

Home/UK

£9,535

International

£21,900

City's undergraduate fee for UK students joining us in 2025/26 is £9,535 for the first year of study, in line with the Government’s announcement on the fee cap increase (subject to the passing of secondary legislation). The fee for each subsequent year of study may also increase in line with government policy and we will confirm any such increase with you directly as and when the fee is confirmed.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Fee waivers are available for this course.
Means tested support is available for 2025/26 entry.

20% off your study

We are offering a Graduate Loyalty Discount of 20% on tuition fees to all our alumni when applying to any of our degree courses.

To be eligible for the discount you must have successfully completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at legacy City, University of London or legacy St George's, University of London.

To apply you will need to be accepted onto your intended course of study and to meet all the normal academic admissions criteria for the relevant course at City St George's, University of London.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills alongside an expert insight into the global political landscape. This expertise is transferable and highly sought-after in a range of careers.

You will be well suited to a wide range of career options, including:

the Civil Service
NGOs
journalism
teaching and education
international organisations
the corporate sector.

Recent employers include:

The Conservative Party
The Department for Business
ESA Market Research
The London Borough of Islington.

Placements

As a student on this course you can choose to undertake a work placement for one year between your second and third years. The degree awarded is a BSc (Hons) International Politics and Sociology with Integrated Professional Training.

Employability

Federica Mure, Employability Education and Skills Development Lecturer in the School of Policy and Global Affairs, talks about the employability and professional experience modules embedded in our courses. 1:48

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Apply Now

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £27.50 application fee.

For enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office

Complete the Admissions enquiry form.

Call: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2025 should arrive at UCAS between September 2024 and 31 January 2025. Applications that arrive after 31 January 2025 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

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Academics

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

Dr Sasikumar Sundaram

Senior Lecturer

Department of International Politics

Dr Sara Silvestri

Senior Lecturer in International Politics

Department of International Politics

Dr Koen Slootmaeckers

Reader International Politics (E&R)

Department of International Politics

Professor Rachel Cohen

Professor of Sociology, Work and Employ

Department of Sociology and Criminology

Andrew Payne

Lecturer in Foreign Policy and Security

Department of International Politics

Dr Margot Tudor

Lecturer in Foreign Policy/Security

Department of International Politics

Key information

Entry requirements

UK

T Level

Contextual offers

Mixed qualifications

Subject exclusions

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

AS levels

University preparation programmes

Access to Higher Education

Zimbabwe

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Vietnam

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Uzbekistan

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Ukraine

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USA

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