School of Social Sciences and Humanities

BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy

BA (Hons) Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

The BA Sociology and Social Policy takes an innovative and exciting approach to the social world, with a particular focus on how individuals and communities can bring about the social change needed to tackle social problems such as the climate crisis and social inequalities. 

The BA Sociology and Social Policy takes an innovative and exciting approach to the social world, with a particular focus on how individuals and communities can bring about the social change needed to tackle social problems such as the climate crisis and social inequalities. 

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
LL34
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years),Part-time (6 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
School
School of Social Sciences and Humanities
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

The Sociology and Social Policy joint programme has been taught at University of Wolverhampton for a number of years. The BA Sociology and Social Policy takes an innovative and exciting approach to the social world, with a particular focus on how individuals and communities can bring about the social change needed to tackle social problems such as the climate crisis and social inequalities. 

Contemporary society faces a number of critical problems, such as climate change, growing social and economic inequalities and the influence of social media on mental health. Exploring solutions to these problems – along with other concerns such as the future of the welfare state and growing food insecurity – are central to this joint programme. Sociology and Social Policy will allow you to focus on the role of social policy and public sociology in bringing about social change, exploring how we – as citizens -can participate in generating solutions to tackle social problems. It will offer you the opportunity to not only understand how social problems come about but to examine the social policy responses to those problems – and ask critical questions about why policies fail.

Events such as COVID 19 and climate change, and social movements such as Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter, have shown us how citizen involvement can be crucial in highlighting social problems. However, sometimes interactions between the state and its citizens leads to social change – and shifts in policy direction - and sometimes they do not. Through a diverse range of case studies, shaped by student and teacher expertise and interest, we will reflect on the health, wealth and wellbeing of our society.

Drawing on your own interests and lived experiences, we will explore how social theory can empower us to understand the social world and the actions we need to take to bring about change personally, locally, nationally and globally. You will also be given the opportunity to apply your understanding through community-based learning opportunities that are embedded into the course, with modules such as Advocacy in Action, Volunteering in Action and Applied Research.  Graduate employability is also embedded throughout the degree programme at The University of Wolverhampton, developing students’ expertise in a range of key employer-identified skills that prepare our students for the workforce of the future.  This includes the ability to read data, communication in digitally literate way, and solve complex problems.

This joint programme is supported by a teaching team who are actively engaged in community-based research.

Meet our teaching team.

What's unique about this course?

  • The Sociology and Social Policy has been redesigned, taking an innovative and exciting approach to the social world, with a particular focus on social change.
  • Through placements, visits and guest speakers, you will have opportunities to engage with voluntary and public sector organisations, and the wider community, to embed your learning.
  • This joint programme is supported by a teaching team who are actively engaged in community-based research.

What happens on the course?

The Sociology and Social Policy programme aims to examine the relationship between government, society and citizens, and how those relationships impact on our lives. We will be asking questions about how the study of social theory and social policy can help us understand why we have increasing levels of social inequality and exclusion in our society, with persistent disparities in the life chances of people from ethnic minorities, lower socio-economic classes and those with disabilities or mental health problems.  

Exploring relationships from the global to the personal

The Sociology and Social Policy joint programme will focus on how we are connected locally, regionally, nationally and globally and whether theories such as sustainable development and “levelling up” could lead to better outcomes for all groups and individuals within our communities, whether they are local, national or global. Thinking personally, locally, nationally, regionally and globally, we will explore the issue of sustainability, examining the uneven impact that globalisation and climate change are having on the poorest in the UK – and across the globe. It will explore how sustainability is not only an environmental issue but one of social justice.

The Importance of Lived Experience

Our learning environment will draw on our lived experiences of the social world and reflect on how social policies impact on our lives. We will engage with contemporary case studies, such as racial discrimination, the mental health crisis and violence against women, and ask how we, as citizens and members of the University community, can bring about the change needed to address these critical issues.

Community-Based Learning

The Sociology and Social Policy course will encourage you, as learners, to engage with community-based learning, whether that is a school, a voluntary sector organisation, or the local council. These opportunities to gain experience in the ‘real’ world will not only embed your learning, through engaging with the lived experiences of people living with disadvantage and discrimination, but it will also support you to develop skills for the workplace. These community-based experiences are embedded in the course as an accredited part of your learning experience.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The combination of sociology and social policy provides students with essential theoretical and methodological tools required to describe and analyse aspects of social life, and to comprehend the nature, importance and impact of social policy on our quality of life.

Students will have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice through community-based learning programmes. Community placements deepen your appreciation of these two disciplines and enhance your employment opportunities.

You will be taught by skilled staff who are committed to high quality teaching and who are research-active. We bring to the class room a wide range of experience in the fields of sociological research and social policy provision.

 

Graduate employability is embedded throughout the degree programme at The University of Wolverhampton, developing students’ expertise in a range of key employer-identified skills that prepare our students for the workforce of the future. Through placements, visits and guest speakers, you will have opportunities to engage with voluntary and public sector organisations, and the wider community, to embed your learning.

Through learning activities such as planning a campaign, analysing policy briefs, analysing data and participating in group activities, you will develop important skills to support your ability to become an inclusive and reflective practitioner in the workplace.

In addition, an array of assignment types, such as poster presentations, writing reports and planning a campaign, will support the development of essential skills for the workplace, such as communication skills, presentation skills, teamworking, IT skills, research skills and critical thinking.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

2023 Entry         

Typical entry requirement: 96 UCAS points

  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Other Requirements

Students must usually have studied for a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, we will consider applications from mature students who do not have two years of post-16 study, where they have relevant work experience. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

A former Social Policy student, Amy Redsull, said:

'Since being at University of Wolverhampton, and completing my undergraduate degree, receiving a 2.1 overall, I have embarked on a Research Masters degree. My time at Wolverhampton has stuck with me, I have used my experience and knowledge to my advantage. My current research is a continuation of a project I had completed whilst studying in Social Policy, an overview of how Universal Credit has affected families within a localised region of the UK. In terms of career prospects, I currently work for a local authority, a youth mental health charity and work in various voluntary roles such as being an equalities and youth officer for a local political party and as a mentor in two different capacities.'

'University of Wolverhampton created a foundation for me to become the person that I am today, for that I will always be grateful and I will always look back in fondness of my time in the University.'

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

Order a prospectus

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