BA Politics and Sociology with study aboard

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The BA Politics and Sociology at Exeter combines a deep understanding of political systems with insight into societal trends, culture, and human behaviour, preparing you for dynamic global careers. With the integrated study abroad year, you gain international experience, cultural exposure, and the chance to apply your learning in a different country — perfect for those aiming for careers in policy, international organisations, or global research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year focuses on building a solid foundation in politics and sociology. You’ll study modules such as Introduction to Politics, Understanding Society, and Global Social Issues, while developing research, analytical, and critical thinking skills that will underpin your future studies.

Year 2
The second year deepens your knowledge through core and optional modules like Comparative Politics, Sociology of Organisations, and Political Economy. You can also explore specialised topics such as Human Rights, Social Inequalities, or International Governance, tailoring your studies to your interests.

Year 3 (Study Abroad Year)
In the third year, you’ll spend time at one of Exeter’s international partner universities, taking relevant political and sociology modules. This immersive experience strengthens your global perspective, intercultural communication, and independent research skills, while giving you real-world exposure to different academic and social systems.

Year 4 (Final Year)
Your final year allows you to consolidate learning and specialise further through advanced modules such as Global Political Economy, Sociology of Globalisation, and Policy Analysis and Evaluation. You will also complete a dissertation or major research project, providing a chance to investigate a topic of personal or professional interest in depth.

Focus Areas

Political systems, international relations, social structures, policy analysis, human rights, global governance, comparative sociology.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will leave with strong skills in research, critical thinking, policy evaluation, data interpretation, and cross-cultural communication — highly sought after in politics, international organisations, NGOs, and research roles.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program equips students with transferable skills recognised in public service, international organisations, and research sectors, providing a strong foundation for professional or postgraduate study.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Exeter is consistently ranked among the UK’s top universities for politics and sociology, with graduates well-prepared for careers in government, international agencies, NGOs, or consultancy.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On this degree, you won’t just be studying ideas from a textbook—you’ll be putting them into practice. From learning how to handle real social data to simulating political debates and exploring the impact of policies, the programme is designed to give you the kind of practical experience that employers value. You’ll also have the chance to step outside the classroom through placements, field trips, and research opportunities, so you can see how politics and society play out in the real world.

Here are some of the hands-on experiences you can expect:

Work with specialist data tools in modules like Social Data Science and Data Analysis in Social Science, building skills in analysing surveys, statistics, and social trends.
Take part in group projects and policy simulations, where you’ll practice debating, drafting reports, and solving problems just like professionals in government, NGOs, or research roles.
Get involved in field trips and placements, which could include working on reports for external organisations or exploring political and social issues on the ground.
Make full use of Exeter’s award-winning library, digital collections, and IT facilities, which students praise for helping them research effectively and independently.
Connect with research centres and institutes, such as those focusing on regional studies or cultural change, giving you the chance to link your coursework to cutting-edge research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A degree in Politics & Sociology from Exeter gives you the skills to turn curiosity about society and power into a career that makes an impact. Many of our graduates step into roles such as policy analyst, research officer, public affairs consultant, or NGO project manager, where they can apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. With a blend of analytical, research, and communication skills, you’ll be well-placed for opportunities across government, charities, business, and beyond.

And you won’t be doing it alone—Exeter supports you every step of the way:

The Career Zone provides personalised career coaching, CV and interview prep, and access to exclusive schemes like the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP), which places Exeter graduates in professional roles across the UK.
You’ll have the chance to gain credit-bearing internships and placements, whether with government departments, think tanks, or research projects, to help you test out your career interests.
Exeter has strong employer links, working with over 400 business partners including the NHS, Amazon, BT and J.P. Morgan, giving you access to networking and career pathways.
According to Discover Uni, 85% of Sociology graduates from Exeter are working or studying 15 months after finishing, with an average salary of around £24,000.
While this degree isn’t tied to one accrediting body, its broad and flexible nature means you’ll graduate with skills that are respected and transferable across multiple industries.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to keep going academically, you can continue into master’s or research degrees in areas like Public Policy, International Relations, Conflict Studies, Governance, or Sociology. Many students choose to stay at Exeter for postgraduate study, joining active research centres and specialist programmes that build directly on what they studied as undergraduates.