Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Social Sciences

at University of Bath United Kingdom

Apply the full breadth of physics to a wide range of astrophysical phenomena from star formation to black hole growth and the expansion of the Universe.

Physics with Astrophysics at Bath will give you a strong grounding in physics, along with in-depth specialist knowledge of astrophysics. You’ll learn how to combine evidence from stellar and extragalactic astronomy to build consistent theoretical models of the evolution of galaxies.

Topics covered include exoplanets, galaxies, cosmology, stars and stellar evolution, general relativity and high energy astrophysics. There'll also be opportunities for you to carry out both observational and computational astrophysics projects alongside our astrophysics research group.

Mathematics enables us to reason logically, to understand structure and to formulate scientific principles, whether from the physical, life or social sciences.

Choose this course to gain specialist knowledge in pure mathematics, applied mathematics and/or statistics.

Tailor to your interests

At the start of the course, you’ll gain a broad education in pure and applied mathematics, including programming and statistics. You’ll have the freedom to study a broader mathematical pathway or specialise in your favourite subject areas, enhancing your analytical thinking and appreciation of the beauty of mathematics.

All of our courses are flexible and allow for a wide choice of units after year one. You may be able to switch courses during the first year.

Year abroad

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.

We have links with universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Europe. This includes Binghamton University, National University Singapore, University of Canterbury, Stellenbosch University and the University of Helsinki.

Gain the benefits of studying across different scientific disciplines with the flexibility to shape your degree to your career aspirations.

This is the course for you if you love science and want to study more than one science subject at university. You can design your own degree to suit your interests and strengths. You’ll be able to take your existing scientific skills further, explore new areas and apply what you’ve learnt in practical and relevant ways.

Employers will value your ability to bring problem-solving skills from a variety of different angles. You’ll graduate with the breadth of knowledge and practical skills to prepare you for a career in industry or for postgraduate research.

If you decide your interests fit better within a single science, you may be able to transfer to biology, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacology or physics after year one.

Learn how to excel in an international business environment. Fulfill the demand for business leaders with both advanced language and management skills.

You will benefit from the expertise of two leading departments, the School of Management and the Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies.

You’ll gain specialised knowledge of relevant countries’ business environments and contemporary politics, society and culture. From day one you’ll be taught in German.

Year abroad

• In Year 3 you will spend up to 12 months in a German-speaking country. You'll have the flexibility to choose a work placement, International Academic Exchange or a combination of both. By spending a year abroad, you’ll have the opportunity to master German.

Develop your knowledge of biomechanics, physiology and psychology. You will understand how humans function in sport, physical activity and health environments.

This degree has three core strands running throughout the course:

• Biomechanics will explore how humans create and control movement including athletes’ technique
• Physiology will cover the structure, function, regulation and performance of bodily systems
• Psychology will examine the role of thoughts, feelings and behaviours in sport and exercise settings

Through these core disciplines you'll apply your knowledge to sports performance and exercise participation and understand the relevance of sport and exercise science to current practice.

Use specialist facilities

As a student on one of our sport, exercise and health courses you'll have access to facilities that support your learning, including laboratories with specialist equipment and the latest technology, including:

• Applied Biomechanics Laboratory
• Applied Physiology Laboratory
• Biochemistry Laboratory
• Metabolic Research Laboratory
• A dedicated movement analysis suite

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 elite sports, healthcare and industries around the globe. We advertise around 200 placement opportunities.

Develop the commercial knowledge and skills required to lead innovative development projects. Gain hands-on experience of creativity tools, decision analysis and product design.

This course is for engineering, science or management graduates who want to develop their innovation and technological/engineering skills.

You will also develop project management, marketing and strategic skills. Learn about management and innovation in complex, global inter-organisational networks.

Develop a strong foundation in the theory and practice of data science, and learn specialist skills in statistics.

Data science is increasingly important to the global economy and is influencing scientific progress across numerous fields from bioscience, to energy and telecommunications. We'll provide you with the tools to become an industry expert with a strong mathematical foundation.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for graduates who have limited experience of statistics and would like to develop their knowledge in this area. The first semester will give you general programming and machine learning development skills. The second semester is focused on statistics, and will give you the skills and knowledge to challenge real-world data using more advanced analytical techniques.

Specialise in environmental and sustainable processes while developing the technical, professional and digital skills needed in industry.

Our course is for engineers and scientists who want to make a positive impact on the environment, society and the future of our planet. Climate change, GHG emissions and loss of biodiversity are important global issues and the world needs leaders and innovators to design and manage sustainable processes and systems to address these.

If you have that desire to learn how to solve the important environmental challenges we face, then our course can help you towards that goal. We’ll develop your skills, knowledge and understanding to take on these issues against a backdrop of economic factors, environmental compliance and national and international legislation.

Your studies will cover areas such as improving resource efficiency, and how to monitor, manage and mitigate negative environmental consequences. You’ll learn how to apply whole-systems and life-cycle approaches to evaluate the impact of industrial activities while considering current and possible future legislation. This ‘big-picture thinking’ will allow you to move beyond traditional approaches to process engineering.

As part of your learning experience, we make sure you have the opportunity to develop useful skills in areas such as interdisciplinary teamwork, effective communication, networking and time resource management. This will help prepare you to adapt and be successful in a variety of roles in this evolving discipline.

Study life on all scales to find out where your interests lie, on this flexible and wide-ranging course.

Biology encompasses the study of life from molecules to ecosystems. It's an exciting area of study that has a significant impact on our daily lives and is vital to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges.

You'll gain a broad foundation of skills across areas such as evolution, ecology, biodiversity, genetics, cell biology and microbiology, equipping you with the knowledge for a range of careers in the biosciences and beyond.

Tailor to your interests

As the most flexible of our biosciences courses, from year two you'll get to choose from a wide variety of units. This gives you the option to either maintain breadth or specialise in specific areas, such as developmental biology, genomics, neuroscience, cancer biology or microbiology.

To keep your options open further, you'll even have the flexibility to switch between our biology and biochemistry courses after the first year.

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 Lilly, Field Studies Council, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Oxford Gene Technology, AstraZeneca, Genesys and LifeArc.

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.

Placement Year

Taking a placement in your third year enables you to use the theory you have learned 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.

Placement opportunities can’t be guaranteed but you will receive tailored support from our specialist team to help you secure a placement.