Politics and Sociology BA

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

If you’re curious about how power shapes society — and how people, ideas, and institutions drive change — Sussex’s BA Politics and Sociology is the perfect degree for you. This joint honours course brings together two fascinating fields, helping you understand everything from government policies and social movements to inequality, identity, and global issues. It’s an ideal choice if you want to question the world around you, develop strong analytical skills, and prepare for a career where you can make a real impact.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building your foundations
Your first year lays the groundwork in both politics and sociology. You’ll study modules like British Political History, Foundations of Politics, Themes and Perspectives in Sociology, and 21st Century Sociology. These courses introduce you to key theories, concepts, and debates, while helping you understand how societies function, how political systems evolve, and how to think critically about the world around you.

Year 2 – Developing depth and research skills
In your second year, you’ll start diving deeper and developing practical skills. You’ll explore European Politics and Modern Political Thought while also mastering social research through modules on qualitative and quantitative methods. Exciting options like Authoritarianism and its Critics, Digital Societies, and Class, Culture & Conflict let you tailor your learning to your interests. By the end of this year, you’ll know how to conduct your own research and tackle complex political and social questions with confidence.

Year 3 – Specialising and applying your knowledge
Your final year is all about applying everything you’ve learned. You’ll complete an independent Sociology Project, designing and carrying out your own piece of research. You can also specialise with advanced modules such as Political Corruption, Populism and Politics, The Politics of Gender, and The Politics of (Post-)Truth. These experiences prepare you to think like a policymaker, researcher, or analyst — and set you up for a career in government, media, NGOs, or academia.

Sussex also offers an optional placement year and opportunities to study abroad, giving you valuable real-world experience and an international perspective before you graduate.

Focus areas: Politics, power and governance, social change, inequality and identity, research methods, and political theory.

Learning outcomes: You’ll graduate able to analyse political and social systems, conduct research using both qualitative and quantitative methods, critically evaluate evidence and ideas, and communicate complex arguments clearly and persuasively.

Professional alignment: Although this degree isn’t tied to a specific accreditation, it’s widely respected by employers in public policy, research, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Reputation (employability & rankings):

Top 8 in the UK for Sociology (QS World University Rankings)
Top 10 in the UK for Social Sciences (Times Higher Education)
Top 10 in the UK for Politics for academic reputation (QS)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Sussex, learning goes far beyond the classroom. This degree is designed to give you real-world experience alongside academic knowledge — so by the time you graduate, you’ll not only understand political and social theory, but you’ll also know how to apply it in practice. From internships and field trips to hands-on research and media training, every part of the course is built to develop the practical skills employers value most.

Here’s how you’ll gain that experience throughout your degree:

Internships and placements: You’ll have the chance to work with Westminster-based political consultancies, NGOs, or private sector organisations, putting your skills into action in a professional environment.
Mentorship from industry professionals: Learn directly from Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent at The Times, through Sussex’s Political Writer-in-Residence programme — including workshops, guest lectures, and shadowing opportunities.
Real-world projects and events: Take part in workshops and masterclasses with policymakers, campaign strategists, and journalists who share first-hand insights into how decisions are made and policies are shaped.
Digital media and communication skills: Sussex’s Digital and Video Accelerator programmes help you build media and content creation skills — a huge advantage in political communication, campaigning, and research.
Student-led initiatives: Join the Politics and Debating Society to sharpen your public speaking and debating skills, meet political leaders, and engage with pressing global issues.
Field trips abroad: Travel to political centres like Berlin, where you’ll meet politicians, visit institutions like the Bundestag, and see how political systems operate on an international stage.
Specialist research centres: Access cutting-edge research hubs such as the Centre for the Study of Corruption, the Sussex European Institute, and the Centre for Gender Studies, where you can get involved in real research projects.
Modern facilities and study spaces: Make use of dedicated seminar rooms, collaborative study areas, PC labs, and departmental libraries — all designed to support your research and project work.

Through these opportunities, you’ll graduate with more than just a degree — you’ll have the hands-on experience, global perspective, and professional skills to thrive in government, media, NGOs, or research organisations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Politics and Sociology degree from Sussex opens the door to careers where you can make a real difference — shaping public policy, tackling social issues, influencing decision-makers, or driving change in communities and organisations. You’ll graduate with strong analytical, research, and communication skills that employers across government, media, NGOs, and research sectors actively look for. Many Sussex graduates build rewarding careers in roles such as:

Policy Advisor or Social Policy Analyst
Public Affairs or Communications Officer
Social Researcher or Data Analyst
Journalist or Advocacy Specialist

Sussex is committed to helping you turn your degree into a career from day one:

Personalised career support: The university’s Careers and Employability team offers one-to-one coaching, CV and interview workshops, employer networking events, and tailored support for roles in policy, research, and social impact organisations.
Placement and internship opportunities: You can take on professional placements during your degree — often working with government departments, political consultancies, NGOs, or research organisations — to build your experience before you graduate.
Career Lab: Sussex’s award-winning Career Lab gives you access to over 1,200 work experience opportunities each year, from paid internships to student consultancy projects, helping you build an impressive portfolio.
Real-world connections: Through partnerships with organisations in Westminster and beyond, and initiatives like the Political Writer-in-Residence programme with The Times, you’ll gain valuable exposure to the professional world.
Strong graduate outcomes: Around 84% of Sussex graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with many stepping into graduate-level roles across public policy, government, NGOs, and media.
Global reputation: Sussex is ranked among the UK’s top 10 for Sociology and Social Sciences and top 10 for Politics (QS World Rankings), giving your degree strong recognition worldwide.

Further Academic Progression:
Many students choose to continue their studies after this degree, building on their knowledge with a Master’s in Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, Sociology, or Global Governance — either at Sussex or at other top universities around the world. Others progress into PhD research in political sociology, comparative politics, or social theory, or pursue professional qualifications in areas such as public administration, international development, or data analysis.