Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Sociology and Social Policy

at University of Bath United Kingdom

Learn about the deep connections between mathematics and theoretical physics and develop your scientific computing and theoretical modelling skills to understand and solve complex physical problems.

This course is for you if you want to study a broad physics degree with less emphasis on experimental laboratories and a stronger focus on theoretical, mathematical and computational aspects of physics.

You'll study the cornerstones of theoretical physics while developing your understanding of their mathematical foundations. Our courses reflect our theoretical research expertise in condensed matter, photonics and astrophysics. The computational physics and programming aspects also reflect the more applied nature of our theoretical research.

The combination of theoretical and practical knowledge of physics and mathematics is highly sought-after by employers and also gives an excellent grounding for postgraduate or industrial research.

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.

You can choose from a wide range of roles to match your interests, from working in marketing to a lab-based role at a research institute. We have links with some of the industry’s leading companies. Recent placement employers include BAE Systems, CERN, Dyson, Morgan Stanley, Rolls-Royce and Samsung.

Research Placement

As an MPhys student, you can choose to undertake a research placement in the final year of the course. You’ll spend six months (July to December) working in a research organisation of international standing, before returning to the University for the final semester. We have links with leading research organisations, including CERN, NTT Basic Research Laboratories (Japan), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (France) and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

Learn the essential skills and techniques needed to develop robotics, autonomous systems, and embedded artificial intelligence.

Our course will help you take your career forward in a progressive area of engineering. It balances advanced theory with technical skills so that you can learn to develop complete operational robots and autonomous systems.

You’ll explore robotics engineering and software, autonomous systems technologies, processes and products throughout the industry value chain. Other areas you'll cover include computational intelligence, machine learning, embedded systems and sensors.

Your studies will focus on tackling engineering challenges using whole-systems approaches. We’ll give you the tools to analyse and evaluate the impact of resources, processes and products. You’ll consider stakeholder needs and factors such as technical, economic, environmental and social considerations. The focus on practical learning ensures you have the skills to design and build robotic platforms and autonomous systems, using the same systems as those used in industry.

Study across the discipline with a focus on biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology with options including clinical and health psychology.

This is a science degree that offers you insights into many aspects of psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You’ll gain a solid grounding across the discipline with a focus on biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology and individual differences. You will gain a critical appreciation of different theoretical perspectives and extensive training in research methods and project work.

In your first year you'll gain an understanding of basic concepts, methods and theories in psychology including individual differences, biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology and their applications.

In your second year you'll advance your knowledge in the core areas of psychology, such as cognitive neuroscience, social psychology and developmental psychology. You'll extend your research methods skills and project work.

In your final year you’ll complete a research project and choose from a wide range of optional units relating to the current research expertise of academic staff. These cover areas that are not always found in other psychology degrees.

You’ll have the opportunity to apply for peer mentoring, research apprenticeships (working with a member of research staff), summer internships and peer assisted learning and leadership roles.

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.

Year abroad

On this course you'll combine a work placement with studying at a university overseas. Broaden your horizons and experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

Study abroad locations include the National University of Singapore 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.

Gain a broad education in chemistry and business ready for careers in science or management.

This course allows you to combine your love of chemistry with an interest in how business works. You’ll gain a broad education in chemistry with an understanding of the theories of chemical behaviour and how they're applied. You'll also develop skills in experimental chemistry and in designing experiments to test hypothesis.

At least a quarter of the units you’ll study will be management topics, delivered by the School of Management. You’ll develop an understanding of the social, legal and economic implications of the decisions managers in industry are required to make.

Take a first step towards a career in forensic psychology settings on this BPS accredited course, with a compulsory placement and focus on counselling skills.

This degree provides the background psychological knowledge, professional skills and relevant experience you need to move confidently into working psychologically within the legal, criminal and civil justice systems.

You will gain up-to-date knowledge of psychological theory and practices, and develop the insights and skills to carry out research and development projects in forensic services, looking at governance, ethical, organisational issues.

You will also be introduced to the foundation skills of forensic psychology practice and spend time developing basic skills in counselling that can be applied in a variety of forensic settings.

The counselling element of the course, and a year-long placement, will help you acquire skills and experience which, compared with other forensic psychology courses, can greatly enhance your employability prospects.

This course is for graduates in psychology, who are interested in progressing to careers in the forensic services as practitioners, researchers or managers. It is also for those currently working in the criminal justice or forensic mental health systems, wishing to learn more about the theory and practice behind forensic psychology.

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 a critical and practical understanding of sport management and development, coaching, physical education and the sociology and psychology of sport.

This degree is designed for those who wish to examine the role of sport, health and physical activity within society.

You'll have the opportunity to develop a fundamental understanding of sport management and development, coaching and physical education, and the sociology and psychology of sport. You will also develop an advanced understanding of at least one of these areas of study. You’ll consider the contributions sport makes to society and assess whether and how sport can be improved. You will study against the backdrop of the University’s world-class multi-sport training environment.

Learn practical and theoretical skills across all areas of chemistry, ready to tackle major challenges in a range of careers.

From addressing climate change, to developing new pharmaceuticals or tackling food security, chemistry is vital in modern day society.

This course has the broadest range of subjects of all our chemistry courses. In the first two years, you’ll study an introduction to all areas of chemistry, gaining the practical and theoretical skills needed to design experiments and test hypotheses. This includes understanding the theories of chemical behaviour and how they're applied.

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.