Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Social Policy with Placement Year

at University of Bath United Kingdom

The modern world needs thoughtful, politically-conscious, questioning economists. Become a professional who understands how economics and politics intertwine.

In this course, you’ll examine the challenges facing individuals, countries and the international community. You will develop an understanding of government and society through core concepts such as power, justice, conflict, accountability, obligation, sovereignty and decision making. You will develop strong analytical skills which will aid your understanding of the institutional, UK and global context within which economic decisions and policy formation takes place.

In your first year you'll study key concepts in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. You'll explore political theory and analysis, introducing central subjects such as power and the state, democracy and the climate crisis.

In your second year you'll continue with more advanced study of political and economic theory. You'll study the exercise of power in societies and economies through an engagement with themes such as democratic theory, populist and nationalist politics, and the politics of race and gender.

In your final year you'll explore your interests through a range of optional units in both economics and politics.

By the end of the course, you will have an appreciation of the interface between economics and political science.

Year abroad

You can broaden your horizons with a year studying at a university abroad. You’ll experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath. You could combine study abroad with an international work placement.

The study abroad option is available at the National University of Singapore, The University of Hong Kong and Stellenbosch University (South Africa), as well as others. We seek to further expand on these. Study abroad opportunities are limited and are subject to availability at our partner institutions.

Study human health and the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases and graduate ready to help tackle global health challenges.

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to be a part of the next generation of biomedical research scientists.

You’ll learn to apply biological sciences to explore human health and the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease. You'll study a broad range of topics including genetics, genomics, human physiology, cancer, pathology, infection and immunity, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and pharmacology.

Placement Year

Going on placement gives you the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge to a year working professionally. You’ll be employed full-time in a role to match your future career ambitions, broadening your experience and transferable skills. This could give you a competitive edge when applying for graduate jobs.

There is a wide range of placement opportunities available each year, from working in marketing for a pharmaceutical company to a lab-based role at a world-renowned research institute. We have links with some of industry's leading companies. Recent employers include Cancer Research UK, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer Inc.

Develop the skills to resolve complex economic issues. Learn economic theories, methods and applications, and become acquainted with chosen specialist areas.

In this course, you’ll study the foundations of economic theory and its applications to real-world problems. You’ll explore the connections between the economy as a whole, its main sectors (such as businesses, the financial sector, government, for example) and the decisions of individuals.

You’ll learn how to apply economic principles and methods to policy issues. You’ll develop your knowledge of institutions to understand how economic decisions and policies are made.

Your first year is concerned with key concepts in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. You’ll further your skills in core mathematics, statistics and data analysis. In Year 2, you’ll build on this through intermediate study of economic theory. The study of econometrics will enable you to estimate and forecast economic relationships. The final year will teach you advanced economic theory. A selection of optional units will enable you to tailor your expertise to your personal interests and career aspirations.

Placement Year

Taking a placement in your third year enables you to use the theory you have learnt in a practical context. You will learn about an organisation and its area of work in the UK or overseas. This is an excellent opportunity to test potential career paths. Sometimes permanent jobs are offered to our students. You’ll develop skills such as teamwork, planning, problem solving, decision making and project management.

Employers value a year of professional work and you’ll gain an advantage in the job market. Sometimes it is possible for you to acquire additional professional qualifications, particularly in accountancy, whilst on placement.

Integrate mechanical, electrical and software skills to develop innovative products. You’ll be equipped for a career as a multidisciplinary design engineer.

Our course is for creative engineers who want to explore product development, machines and systems. You’ll investigate the relationship between engineering and design to produce new products that are both marketable and functional. We want to inspire you to make the world better by designing and building the products of the future.

In your first two years, you’ll develop a detailed understanding of mechanical engineering. You’ll use mathematics and computing to analyse engineering systems and study design and manufacturing processes. Specialist units encourage you to take a hands-on approach to engineering design. You’ll work with other students in studios, labs and workshops to experiment with design and production. ‘Design-make-test’ activities give you practical experience of designing, building and testing prototypes.

Placement Year

A placement gives you first-hand knowledge of working in a commercial or industrial environment and can count towards becoming a Chartered Engineer. The professional skills you learn can benefit the rest of your degree and improve your career prospects. It can also be an opportunity to earn a salary during your degree and make industry contacts.

Over half of our students choose to take a placement but you can decide whether this is right for you up until your second year. Placement opportunities cannot be guaranteed but you will receive tailored support from our specialist team to help you secure a placement.

Develop advanced knowledge and skills in a range of business areas. Gain the practical experience you need for a variety of management careers.

This is a flexible degree with optional units to choose from after Year 1. In your first year, you’ll study with International Management and Management with Marketing students. You’ll benefit from learning in a diverse class with students who have different backgrounds and ambitions.

Placement Year

Apply your skills and knowledge in a practical business environment with a placement year. Placements are real jobs and usually paid. You will gain a competitive advantage in the graduate job market with this valuable experience.

The average salary in 2019 was £20,932 and the highest was £50,000. The average salary is based on data provided to us by all 59 students who went on placement in the UK.

Make invisible social structures visible. Use social theory and research methods to identify and explore the processes and forces that shape our lives.

Through this degree, you'll study and learn to apply core social theory in practice. You’ll learn to understand the structure of today’s society, how it came about, and whether we could live differently.

This course will appeal if you want to gain an analytical and methodological foundation for the study of collective and individual behaviour.

You will not only expand your knowledge of British society but also compare it with other societies around the globe. You’ll gain practical research skills so you can investigate society in practice, in original ways, and in a variety of settings.

In your first year you'll learn how sociology can be used to think in new ways about our everyday life. You'll study classical social theory and qualitative and quantitative research skills. Through tutorials focused on developing key academic skills, you’ll learn how to evaluate data and information to develop your own arguments tailored to different audiences.

In your second year you'll study contemporary social theory and further expand your skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods. You will also choose from a range of optional units from various areas of sociology, social policy and social science more broadly.

You will also choose from a range of optional units from various areas of sociology, social policy and social science more broadly.

In your final year you’ll carry out a year-long dissertation and choose from optional units focusing on specialist areas in sociology.

Placement Year

The placement year will give you valuable practical experience and is an excellent opportunity to try different careers. It enables you to leave university with a strong CV and may set you apart from other graduates entering the job market. You can take placements in commercial, voluntary or government organisations, or in a research setting.

Gain a broad understanding of the politics, policy and social evolution of the EU and European states, as well as specialist knowledge of EU and international affairs.

The Euromasters course offers a distinctive international learning experience, with an opportunity to study at several prestigious institutions.

With an enthusiastic teaching team who are experts in their research fields, and a diverse course of study, this two-year master’s degree is internationally recognised.

You'll gain a broad comparative understanding of the European Union, European politics, policy and social evolution, as well as specialist knowledge of key issues in the Euro-Atlantic area and international relations.

We welcome applications from high-achieving students, who wish to gain the knowledge and skills that will qualify them for a wide range of careers in European and international institutions, and the private sector.

Explore issues facing us in the 21st century relating to crime and criminal justice. Develop research and data handling skills relevant to a range of careers.

This degree has a strong global focus. You’ll explore crime and related topics from around the world, including human rights and terrorism, social justice, contemporary social problems, and the globalisation of crime.

You’ll develop an in-depth knowledge of how the various components of the criminal justice system work, from the police through to prison and probation. As well as a strong theoretical grounding, the course is designed to equip you with practical skills in critical enquiry, research and data generation.

Studying at Bath means you’ll get to work with a leading team of criminal justice researchers and criminologists, with significant global expertise. There’s also the chance to hone your skills further by doing a placement year in a relevant setting.

Placement Year

The placement year will give you valuable practical experience and is an excellent opportunity to try different careers. It enables you to leave university with a strong CV and may set you apart from other graduates entering the job market. You can take placements in commercial, voluntary or government organisations, or in a research setting.

Explore how we can build a sustainable global future that leaves no-one behind. Develop a broad-based social science approach with a grounding in economics.

On this degree you will study some of the most important challenges facing our global society – poverty, inequality, climate change, conflict and migration. Alongside economic methods and analysis, training in sociology and anthropology, politics and social research will enable you to apply a multi-disciplinary approach.

With a strong orientation towards policy and practice, you will explore problems and solutions at local through national and international levels, guided by staff sharing from their own experience of development work and research.

Placement Year

• The placement year offers you valuable real life experience of issues you will have been studying. A year of professional work is highly valued by employers.
• You can take placements in a governmental organisation or a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to match your personal and academic interests.

Equip yourself to work as a professional interpreter and/or translator on this highly respected master's, which can include a training opportunity.

Our MA Interpreting and Translating is designed to give you the practical skills and experience you need to work as an interpreter and translator at a high level.

You must have an excellent understanding of two languages. You can choose from one of two pathways:

• Path 1 allows you to work with two other languages (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish) into English
• Path 2 allows you to work in both directions between Chinese/English or Russian/English

Our interpreting and translating master's have has been running for over 50 years and is highly respected internationally for the quality of the training provided. Many Bath graduates have gone on to work in organisations such as the EU and UN, as well as other language services around the world.

The course covers professional translation and simultaneous, consecutive and liaison interpreting in public service and commercial settings.

You'll have access to the latest digital interpreting labs, and you will participate in mini-conferences to put your skills into practice, holding debates on controversial topics and acting as both delegate and interpreter.

We seek to arrange external training opportunities for our students with the United Nations or independent agencies, giving you first-hand experience of the workplace and valuable contacts for building your career.

The course is taught by experienced tutors who have all worked as professional translators and interpreters themselves. Some have interpreted for heads of state and government ministers, and/or work for international organisations. They are therefore able to share this wealth of experience with you and provide useful advice on joining the profession.