Sociology and Politics

Sociology and politics together examine two of the most important questions any society faces: how is it organised, and how is it governed? Sociology investigates the structures, institutions, and processes through which social life is produced and reproduced, examining inequality, culture, identity, religion, the family, and the forces that hold societies together or pull them apart. Politics examines how power is distributed and exercised, how governments are formed and constrained, and how citizens organise collectively to pursue their interests and values.

Studied together, the two disciplines provide a comprehensive and genuinely critical framework for understanding the world.

At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, giving you the chance to study at a partner institution in another country and to experience political and social life from a different national perspective. Edinburgh is itself an exceptional location for this combination of subjects, given its position in a capital city with a devolved parliament, a rich intellectual tradition in social theory, and a diverse and politically engaged student community. You will study sociological theory, research methods, comparative politics, international relations, political thought, and social policy, developing the ability to construct evidence-based arguments and to engage critically with complex social and political questions.

A typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the competitive nature of the programme.

Graduates of sociology and politics degrees work across the public sector, the voluntary sector, journalism, research organisations, political parties, think tanks, the law, and international organisations. Analytical ability, written communication, and the capacity to think clearly about power and social structures are highly transferable qualities. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in political science, sociology, public policy, law, or social research, and the year abroad strengthens the international dimension of their professional profile.