Sociology and Politics BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

If you are interested in the social and political world, the BA (Hons) Sociology and Politics gives you the opportunity to study a range of subjects to increase your knowledge of people, politics and society.

You will study a range of themes, methods and subjects, investigating important social and political issues such as poverty, crime, terror and freedom.

Special features

• The joint honours degree in two complementary subjects will give you greater flexibility in employment, advanced study and research opportunities
• You can study full time or part time to suit your personal circumstances
• You can study individual modules for personal or professional development

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

Entry to year one:

• 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, or
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• At least two should be from the list of relevant academic subjects
• Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry to year two:

• HNC Social Science (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA credits at level 7 which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit, will be considered for direct entry to year two

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules are:

• Evolving politics of the British Isles
• Introduction to politics OR Ideas and ideologies in politics
• Making social lives
• Understanding the social world

You will also choose two option modules from our range of humanities subjects.

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules are:

• History of political ideas
• Qualitative research methods
• Sociological theory OR Belief, culture and communities
• Scottish politics before and after the independence referendum

You will also choose two option modules from our range of humanities subjects.

Year 3 - BA

Core modules are:

• Advanced social research methods
• Sociology: contemporary Scottish issues
• Work and society

Plus two additional politics modules from the following:

• British military history in the 20th Century
• Challenging liberal democracy: political ideas in a changing world
• Devolution, federalism and territorial politics
• European politics
• Political sociology (subject to numbers)
• Wars in the promised land

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in sociology or politics.

You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject.

Sociology

• Insiders and outsiders in society
• Restorative justice
• Understanding crime
• Visual research (subject to numbers)

Politics

• Geopolitics: territory, security, strategy
• Political theory
• Terrorism and unconventional warfare
• Transforming regimes in Eastern Europe

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4^th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.