Course Overview
Lancaster's Politics and Sociology degree is taught by academic staff who are shaping the study of Politics and Sociology today. Politics and International Relations at Lancaster is ranked number one in the North West by The Guardian University Guide 2013, while our Sociology Department is one of the top five in the UK for research in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2008).
You'll develop a wide-ranging understanding of how political ideas and institutions shape the way societies are organised and have the opportunity to relate your interest in social and cultural themes to real world political events and current affairs.
In your first year, you'll follow the core Politics and Governance in the Contemporary World and Introduction to Sociology modules. You'll increasingly specialise, with second-year subjects including Politics of Development; Modern Political Thought; Understanding Social Thought, and Research Skills and Techniques. Your final year options cover topics such as Africa and Global Politics; Islamic Politics; Contemporary Issues in Human Rights, The Chinese Century?; Terror; and Doing Sociological Research.
Related Courses
- Mathematics and Philosophy : BA Hons
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics : BA Hons
- Politics : BA Hons
- Politics (Study Abroad) : BA Hons
- Politics with International Relations : BA Hons
- Sociology : BA Hons
- Economics and International Relations : BA Hons
- Economics and Politics : BA Hons
- Politics and Sociology : BA Hons
- Peace Studies and International Relations : BA Hons
- Criminology and Sociology : BA Hons
- Media and Cultural Studies : BA Hons
- History and Politics : BA Hons
- Politics and Religious Studies : BA Hons
- Law and Politics : LLB
- Organisation Studies and Sociology : BA Hons
- Film and Sociology : BA Hons
- Film and Philosophy : BA Hons
- Linguistics and Philosophy : BA Hons
- English Literature and Philosophy : BA Hons
- English Literature and Religious Studies : BA Hons
- French Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- German Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Politics : BA Hons
- French Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- German Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- Spanish Studies and Philosophy : BA Hons
- History, Philosophy and Politics : BA Hons
- Philosophy : BA Hons
- Religious Studies : BA Hons
- History and International Relations : BA Hons
- Philosophy and Politics : BA Hons
- Religious Studies and Sociology : BA Hons
- History and Religious Studies : BA Hons
- Ethics, Philosophy and Religion : BA Hons
- Philosophy and Religious Studies : BA Hons
- History and Philosophy : BA Hons
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Politics, Philosophy and Religion department.
Year 2
- Understanding Social Thought
- Sociological Research Skills and Techniques
- Introduction to Peace Studies
- Race Relations and Social Change
- Modern Political Thought
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Politics, Philosophy and Religion department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAB
General Studies: Accepted as one of the 3 best grades, if 4 A-levels presented
Preference: A-levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: ABBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 35 pts overall with 16 pts from the best three HL subjects.
BTEC: Overall grades of DDD/DDM
IELTS: 6.5
Careers
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based elivery.The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focussed critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue. In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2014, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2014 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2013.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page