Social Sciences BASc

Our BASc Social Sciences degree is an open curriculum that allows you study a range of subjects including Sociology, Criminology, Politics, Education, Business, and more - allowing you to shape your degree around your interests and career goals. 

During your degree, you can choose from a wide range of modules across the College of Social Sciences, including modules usually offered to students studying a single subject. This means you can tailor your studies to your interests and career goals.

You’ll also take core modules that will help you learn how to bring together ideas from different areas of the social sciences. You’ll explore new ways of thinking about persistent social challenges, from shaping policy to driving change in communities.

You’ll study alongside peers specialising in different areas of the social sciences, giving you the chance to gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives before bringing them together in ways that go beyond a single subject.

• Think across disciplines: Combine Sociology, Criminology, Politics, Business, and more for powerful problem-solving.
• Tailor your degree: Choose modules to focus on favourite subjects or explore new interests.
• Develop career-ready abilities: Build critical thinking, research and problem-solving skills for today's job market.
• Explore global challenges: Address urgent issues like climate change and inequality to create lasting impact.
• Learn from experts: Study with world-class academics offering insights across social science disciplines.
• Broaden your experience: Gain global insights or hands-on skills with a Year Abroad or Placement.
• The University of Birmingham is one of the country’s most consistently sought‑after universities by the UK’s top graduate employers, and has been for the last decade (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2026’ report).

Who is this course for?

Our BASc Social Sciences degree could be right for you if:

• You're interested in lots of different subjects. Explore different areas of the social sciences before deciding where your interests lie.
• You have a wide set of interests and want to understand society from different perspectives. 
• You have interests that span across several subject areas. Explore topics such as sustainability or gender that draw on ideas from several different areas of social sciences.
• You enjoy looking at problems from different perspectives. Develop an understanding of different research methods and learn how researchers build knowledge about society.

Teaching methods includes the following, all designed to support your career and meet course outcomes:

• Lecture: Academics deliver structured talks to large student groups; less interactive, mainly note-taking.
• Tutorial: Small group discussions with a tutor which are informal.
• Seminar: Small, informal sessions to complement lectures; encourage discussion and interaction with peers and tutors.
• Workshop: Hands-on sessions in small groups; learn tools or techniques essential for your course.

Assessment methods and feedback

Each module is assessed independently, and all modules contain some components of continuous assessment (that means assessment taking place during the teaching terms). Some modules are assessed entirely through coursework, without an end-of-year examination. At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that module. You'll receive feedback on each assessment within 20 working days so that you can learn from and build on what you have done, including written feedback on your assessments, class feedback, and discussions with your tutor. 

Support during your studies

You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.

• Personal tutors: Offer academics support and advice during your studies.
• Wellbeing Officers: Provide guidance on extensions, adjustments, and access to wider support.
• Academic Skills Centre: Workshops to improve writing, note-taking, and presentation skills.
• Student Experience team: Support your academic, social, and career development.

Contact hours

For all undergraduate modules, you'll attend lectures and seminars regularly throughout the term. Contact hours vary dependent on module choice. As well as time with your lecturers and personal tutor, academic and professional services staff (like our dedicated Careers Network team) will be available to offer individual and group support throughout your time at Birmingham.

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

General Studies: not accepted

T Levels: all subjects considered. Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.

GCSE Maths Level 5/Grade B and GCSE English at Level 6/Grade B required to undertake Business Management modules.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL iBT tests taken before January 2026: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
• TOEFL iBT tests taken from January 2026: 4.5 Overall with no less than 4.5 in two skills and 4 in two skills
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Core Maths qualification

Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2026 entry is £9,790 for UK students. If you decide to do a placement year, you will only pay 15% of the agreed tuition fee for that year. If you are applying for 2027 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work. 

Intercalated years

Our intercalated opportunities offer the chance to take a year out from your existing course to study within another field. This takes place usually between year 2 and year 3 of your programme.