History, Politics & Social Science degrees

Why study History, Politics & Social Sciences at BU?

Media-driven environment: Our History and Politics courses are delivered by the Faculty of Media & Communication, where a media-driven environment provides them with a fresh perspective
Research-active social scientists: Our sociology, social anthropology and criminology courses are delivered by the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, where you will learn from research-active social scientists
History with a modern twist: Experts from each of these areas will bring a 21st-century focus to illuminate these more traditional subjects
Optional work placements: Gain professional experience and follow your passions on an optional work placement
Diverse career opportunities: Open up career opportunities across a diverse range of sectors – from media to education, public relations, corporate business, local government, police, youth justice, and research

Find a course

Courses with a foundation year option: If you don’t yet have the right qualifications to study your chosen subject, a foundation year offers an alternative route to studying a full degree, involving an initial year of study that will enable you to progress on to the first year of one of our eligible undergraduate degrees.

Full-time courses

BA (Hons) Criminology

Delve into the social study of crime, deviance and the criminal justice system. In addition to units on criminology, the criminal justice system, and the impact of crime on society, we will offer you a wider view of the world of crime, including terrorism, global human trafficking and organised crime.

BA (Hons) Criminology with Law (with Foundation Year option)

New for September 2021 entry, this course examines the nature of crime, its causes and the legal responses. Criminology and law are two complementing areas which allow you to investigate legal systems, criminal law and legal evidence, along with the often emotive issues surrounding crime, punishment and justice.

BA (Hons) Criminology with Psychology

New for September 2021 entry, this course delves into the criminal mind and defines the nature of crime. Providing a deeper insight into criminology, discover the psychology behind criminal behaviour.

BA (Hons) History (with Foundation Year option)

From the polite conversation of the eighteenth-century coffee-house to the agitation of twentieth-century acid-house, this course gives you the opportunity to explore modern British history, with a media twist.

BU students filming and appearing in 'Your Election 2015', which provided live coverage of the 2015 UK General Election.

BA (Hons) Politics (with Foundation Year option)

This degree gives you the opportunity to consider how power is allocated, who takes part in collective decision-making at multiple levels, the meaning and experiences of justice, conflict, (in)equality and citizenship, and consider these in the context of the most pressing contemporary global issues.

BA (Hons) Politics and Economics (with Foundation Year option)

This course will explore the political and economic consequences of contemporary global issues such as Brexit and the rise of nationalism and protectionism, as evidenced by the election of Donald Trump, the rise of Marine Le Pen and the German AFD party.

BA (Hons) Sociology

Taught by expert sociologists, this robustly academic social science course integrates global perspectives, providing a broader outlook and understanding of issues in society.

BA (Hons) Sociology & Crimonology

Shining a spotlight on criminology from a sociological perspective, our degree will give you the sophisticated knowledge and analytical skillset needed for breaking into the public and social sectors, as well as the criminal justice system.

BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Anthropology

Taught by expert sociologists and social anthropologists, this academically robust social science course explores the connections between societies and cultures all over the world.

BA (Hons) Sociology with Politics

This exciting new course studies sociology with political analysis, involving changing demographics, societal challenges and issues relating to globalisation and migration in society today.