Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business and Politics (with integrated placement year)

at Aston University United Kingdom

Study a BSc (Hons) Economics and Politics degree course at Aston University and tackle some of the most challenging, controversial and real-world issues facing governments, business and the wider society today.

What you’ll learn
On this degree course, you’ll have the opportunity to explore political topics going beyond the UK and Europe, covering North America, South Asia, China, Japan or the emerging global powers. You will acquire the ability to analyse and understand political problems, socio-cultural change and political institutions and structures.

On the economics side, you’ll develop an ability to investigate a range of political and economic issues, and gain a sound understanding of how economic and political issues are often closely interrelated in today’s globalised mass society. You’ll become familiar with a range of tools needed to solve a variety of complex economic problems, and develop research and analytical skills, equipping you with highly relevant, adaptable skills that are transferable across whatever career path you choose.

An integrated placement year offers the chance to apply your learning in a work placement in the UK or overseas. Whether you choose to focus on politics or economics, Aston’s strong links with employers around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work. Unlike some other universities, the placement year at Aston is not a ‘bolt-on’ year, it is an integral part of your degree and in your second year we’ll make sure you’re ready to get the most from this opportunity. You'll receive plenty of help and advice in finding your placement and specialist support and supervision from the University during your placement.

You will also have the opportunity to produce a substantial piece of individual work in the form of a dissertation on an agreed topic of your choice.

Explore the social structures and issues that have shaped your own life and learn not just how to understand the world, but how to change it. Understand some of the biggest debates in society and develop the skills you need to research what matters to you.

What you’ll learn
Sociology and Social Policy at Aston are about real-life experiences and how they relate to bigger social problems. We explore the social constraints we encounter in our everyday lives and how they are reinforced by class, race, religion, and gender. To understand how these issues perpetuate existing inequalities and unequal life chances, we analyze what impact official politics has on such processes, how politics is intertwined with the profit-making aims pursued by big corporations and how their combined interests dominate our social imaginations.

You will investigate the economic, social, and political forces which influence government decision-making and develop a detailed understanding of policy-making processes at global, national and local levels of government. You will also explore in-depth, the outcomes and consequences of various government policies on the economy and society. Studying the nature of policy delivery and management by various organizations, such as local governments, schools, and businesses, will prepare you for a range of career paths.

Explore the social structures and issues that have shaped your own life and learn not just how to understand the world, but how to change it. Understand some of the biggest debates in society and develop the skills you need to research what matters to you.

What you’ll learn
Sociology and Social Policy at Aston are about real-life experiences and how they relate to bigger social problems. We explore the social constraints we encounter in our everyday lives and how they are reinforced by class, race, religion, and gender. To understand how these issues perpetuate existing inequalities and unequal life chances, we analyze what impact official politics has on such processes, how politics is intertwined with the profit-making aims pursued by big corporations and how their combined interests dominate our social imaginations.

You will investigate the economic, social, and political forces which influence government decision-making and develop a detailed understanding of policy-making processes at global, national and local levels of government. You will also explore in-depth, the outcomes and consequences of various government policies on the economy and society. Studying the nature of policy delivery and management by various organizations, such as local governments, schools, and businesses, will prepare you for a range of career paths.

Mathematics offers a principled, logical, and quantitative perspective of the world around us. From mathematical modelling of air flow and epidemic spreading, through medical diagnosis and power-grid control to investment banking and self-driving cars – mathematics is fundamental to many cutting-edge technologies. Graduates with these skills are in high demand across many sectors of industry and our course equips you the What you’ll learn
Our program is designed to create graduates with a strong mathematical background oriented towards knowledge and technical skills in demand by the job market.

In your first and second years, you will build a solid foundation of mathematical knowledge by learning core mathematical topics, such as Algebra, Analysis, Calculus, Differential Equations, Geometry, and Probability, amongst others. You will also be developing abilities for problem-solving and real-world applications of that knowledge. For instance:

In Probability and Statistics, you will be introduced to the elementary theory of probability and statistics and learn to apply that knowledge using Microsoft Excel to statistically analyze real-world data sets and draw relevant and practical conclusions.

Numerical Algorithms and Programming will provide you with an essential understanding of core concepts in programming, focussing on mathematics applications. You will learn how to formulate algorithms to execute methods and how to implement generic algorithms from a description.

Learn the complex yet subtle art of managing people in organisations, and develop skills for analysis and in-depth policy formation as well as the broader discipline of management on our fully accredited Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) course.

This course provides you with a detailed theoretical knowledge of Human Resource Management, whilst at the same time giving you the relevant vocational skills needed for a range of HR roles.

You’ll also benefit by developing a broad range of business skills. This can help you to secure management positions in various areas of business.

If you’re interested in building a career in the supply chain and want a course that offers the potential for a guaranteed placement and job on graduation, you’ll want to consider studying Business and Supply Chain Management at Aston.

Supply chain management is at the heart of every retail, manufacturing, and logistics business. Working with partners and suppliers across the world, supply chain managers work to streamline business operations and increase access to international markets.

Our course combines the essential business theory and practice from Aston Business School with supply chain expertise to prepare you for an exciting career.

Understand the world and how to change it. Whether you want to run your own business, succeed in a global organization, or make a difference in society through social enterprise, Business and Sociology could be for you.

What you’ll learn
You will establish foundations in sociological approaches to gender, race, class, and sexuality before more complex issues between science and race, reproductive politics, corporate power, climate change, aging, religion, and media power.

You’ll study the theories, principles, and underlying concepts of the main functions of management, equipped with a strong understanding of business models and processes, all brought to life with real-world examples and case studies. You’ll examine how strategic decision-making within organizations takes place, and develop the ability to recognize and analyze the economic, technical, financial, social, and organizational parameters within which modern managers make decisions. 

Our Biochemistry course is focused on preparing you for a future career that makes a big difference. Studying at Aston gives you unrivalled hands-on experience, world-class facilities and specialist teaching.

In addition, your integrated placement year will give you the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice. You can undertake placements in hospital, industrial or research laboratories, as well as non-laboratory settings.

As a biochemist, you’ll help to comprehend and resolve biological problems through the use of molecular expertise and processes. You will help to lead the way in developing new thinking, techniques and technology in the fields of:

• Medicine
• Pharmaceutics
• Biotechnology
• Agriculture
• Nutrition

Study the Forensic Linguistics MA at Aston University, home of the world-leading Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics, to take your linguistics skills to the next level and improve the delivery of justice through the analysis of language.

What you’ll learn
The Forensic Linguistics MA course aims to expand your linguistic analysis skills and understanding so that you can apply them to forensic texts, and in forensic and legal contexts.

You will learn from some of the world’s leading academics in the field of forensic linguistics, based at our research institute - the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics.

You’ll undertake and apply marketing analyses using appropriate marketing theories and techniques, whilst gaining knowledge and an understanding of the concepts, principles, and application of theories relating to leadership within organizations.

The MSc Marketing and Leadership will develop your understanding and application of core theories in Marketing. You will learn how to undertake and apply marketing analyses using appropriate marketing theories and techniques, which will allow you to make appropriate strategic and operational marketing decisions.

The course will also develop your knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories relating to leadership within organizations. It will teach you how to apply the strategic role that leadership can make within a wider organizational context.

This course aims to provide a program of study that meets your needs if you are a local, national or international student, enabling you to learn by the exchange of experience as well as formal academic study. It is designed for recent graduates and those already in employment.