Program Overview

The Sociology and Politics degree at Aberystwyth University will enable you to develop a critical awareness of the social world through a solid grounding in the conceptual and theoretical approaches employed by sociologists to study the world around us. At the same time, your exploration of the political world will provide you with insights into the political influences on social norms and social formations, which will furnish you with new ways of approaching key sociological concepts including identity, integration and conflict, in addition to effective ways of contextualising the study of political formations, processes and behaviours. The distinctive field-based approach to sociology at Aberystwyth will equip you with first-hand experience of a variety of sociological research methods in addition to training you in the techniques of archival research.

Why study Sociology and Politics at Aberystwyth University?

• Our distinctive field-based approach to sociology will help to highlight the significance of space and place for the study of political behaviour.
• We draw on our research strengths to ensure that you are exposed to cutting-edge theoretical and empirical understandings of the social and political world, and to enable your learning experience to reap positive benefits from the latest developments in both disciplines.
• You will learn how to critically evaluate ideas, concepts and approaches within both fields of sociology and politics.
• You will be taught and mentored by enthusiastic lecturers who are committed to providing you with an outstanding and dynamic learning environment.
• You will become part of the world's first ever Department of International Politics, founded in 1919.
• You will have the opportunity to take part in our prestigious Parliamentary Placement scheme alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or a Member of the Senedd (Senedd Cymru [Welsh Parliament], Cardiff).
• You will be able to participate in our Crisis Games - an exciting and dramatic twice-yearly residential course away from Aberystwyth in which you will play a role in a political scenario - enabling you to learn about international politics from a unique first-person perspective.
• You will have the opportunity to develop your political journalist skills by contributing to the oldest student–run international Politics journal in the UK, Interstate, which is based within the Department of International Politics, and which will be a worthwhile and fulfilling extra-curricular activity.