group of people in room looking at post-its with laptops

Available with:

  • Foundation Year


Course Summary

Discover the world and your place in it with the University of Chester's pioneering degree in Sociology with Global Affairs, Politics, and International Relations. This dynamic degree course is tailored for those who aspire to understand and engage with complex global debates and issues.

Explore the Global Landscape: Dive into the intricate international relations and politics network, gaining insights into the forces shaping our world. From the nuances of diplomatic relations, to global governance mechanisms, this course offers a comprehensive understanding of international affairs.

Sociological Perspective: At the heart of this degree is a strong foundation in sociology. You'll explore how societies are constructed, maintained, and transformed. Learn to analyse social behaviours, institutions, and structures, understanding their impact on global affairs. This unique blend equips you with the tools to critically assess how societal issues influence, and are influenced by, global events.

Real-World Relevance: Our curriculum is designed with an emphasis on current global challenges. Engage with pressing issues such as climate change, human rights, global poverty, and international conflicts. This contemporary focus ensures that your learning is relevant and impactful.

Expert Academic Staff: Learn from experienced academics who are actively engaged in research and international collaborations. The University of Chester offers a vibrant, multicultural environment, providing rich perspectives on global issues.

Join us at the University of Chester and become a part of a new generation of informed, globally aware individuals ready to make a difference. Apply now for our degree in Sociology with Global Affairs, Politics, and International Relations, and start your journey towards understanding and shaping the global landscape.

Why You’ll Love It

What You'll Study

 The course offers an in-depth understanding of the key social and global issues and challenges affecting our lives today and in the future, alongside giving you the skills needed to explore and respond to such issues independently.

In Year 1 (Level 4), you will develop an understanding of what Sociology is, key themes within the discipline, and how sociologists look at and study the world using theory and research skills. You will then be introduced to foundational concepts in global governance, political theory, and international relations. You’ll also explore the role of the media in a globalised network society, and the ways that different groups are represented. Another key topic concerns environmental changes and their interconnection with global inequalities, enabling you to participate in debates on ecology and climate change.  

In Year 2 (Level 5), you will build on your learning and skills, by engaging in theoretically informed debates on contemporary social issues such as mobilities, globalisation, status, social class, and decolonisation. You will also study race, ethnicity, nationality and citizenship in a historical perspective that takes account of power and inequalities. This entails an exploration of how human mobility and the categorisations of groups of people transform societies, and how these social phenomena can contribute to and explain continued social inequalities. You will delve into intermediate topics in international relations theory, global political economy, comparative politics. You will also explore thematic courses in areas such as diplomacy, human rights, and conflict resolution, alongside practical modules in research methods and regional studies.  

In Year 2, you are also offered opportunities to put your learning into practice through real-world experience to support and develop your future career plans. This includes the chance to gain relevant work experience, study abroad, engage with a research project, or learn a language.   

In Year 3 (Level 6), key topics explored include the sociology of consumption, where you will engage in critical consideration and reflection on the predominance of consumer culture in our everyday lives, and the social and ecological implications of this. You will also engage in advanced studies of global governance, diplomacy, and international policy analysis.  Education is another key topic, where you will critically evaluate its role in society, placing such debate within the wider context of neoliberalism, capitalism and postmodern thinking. Furthermore, you will get the chance to consolidate your knowledge and skills through undertaking an independent project on a key issue of your choice, with continued support and guidance from experienced researchers. 

Theoretical understandings span across all three levels of study, with students building the ability to apply and appraise theory in reference to a variety of real-world social and global problems. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you will study 40 credits comprising either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week, depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is primarily delivered in-person, with some online learning. You can expect to take part in interactive sessions comprising lecture content, task-based workshops and peer-led seminar discussions that enhance subject knowledge and build key academic skills.  

As a student, you will be involved in the design, delivery, and experience of your learning at university, recognising the importance of student agency and co-creation in education. Opportunities to collaborate in your learning process include student representation; feedback; inclusive teaching initiatives (such as workshops or discussions around making the curriculum more inclusive, where your input is crucial); student-led workshops and seminars; collaborative curriculum design; peer teaching; access to digital platforms where you can share resources; project-based learning (such as coursework projects where you will have choice over the topic); being part of a learning community with your fellow students; and having input into how these communities are structured and operate. 

Outside of timetabled teaching, you should expect to spend an average of 30-34 hours per week on independent study, which might include undertaking weekly learning activities for each module in your own time, undertaking wider reading, using the University’s library, one-to-one tutorial time with staff, working with peers, and preparing work for summative assessments. 

There will be a broad range of assessment methods to optimise learning and skill development for a diverse range of learners with unique needs and preferences, and to enable you to build a wide array of skills to thrive in the workplace. These will include formative assessment such as group tasks and discussions where you can receive feedback from lecturers and your peers to build your confidence and skills. Summative assessment will include written coursework, such essays (short and long form), summaries and critical reviews of literature and/or policy, case study reports, and writing for public as well as academic audiences. In addition, summative assessment will focus on visual, verbal and practical skills, encompassing, for example, posters and presentations.  

You will be given ongoing support with assessments throughout each module, in addition to being guided on how to utilise past feedback. We continuously review the assessment methods used, to ensure they are inclusive and engaging, and so that they equip you with all of the skills that graduate-level employers are looking for.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core – building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week, depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is primarily delivered in-person, with some online learning. You can expect to take part in interactive sessions comprising of lecture content, task-based workshops and peer-led seminar discussions.  

As a student, you will be involved in the design, delivery, and experience of your learning at university, recognising the importance of student agency and co-creation in education. Opportunities to collaborate in you learning process include; student representation; feedback mechanisms; student-led workshops and seminars; collaborative curriculum design; peer teaching; project-based learning (such as negotiated title coursework or dissertations); learning communities (these are groups or cohorts of students who take several modules together, fostering a sense of community and shared learning. You will often have input into how these communities are structured and operate); digital platforms (platforms where students can share resources); inclusive teaching initiatives (such as workshops or discussions around making the curriculum more inclusive, where student input is crucial). 

Outside of timetabled teaching, you should expect to spend an average of 30–34 hours per week on independent study, which might include undertaking weekly asynchronous learning, undertaking wider reading, using the University’s library, tutorial time with staff, working with peers, and preparing work for summative assessments.  

There will be a broad range of assessment methods to optimise learning and skill development for a diverse range of learners with unique needs and preferences, and to enable you to build a wide array of skills to thrive in the workplace. These will include formative assessment such as group tasks and discussions where you can receive feedback from lecturers and peers to build your confidence and skills. Summative assessment will include written coursework, such essays (short and long form), summaries and critical reviews of literature and/or policy, case studies/reports, and writing for public as well as academic audiences. In addition, summative assessment will focus on visual, verbal and practical skills, encompassing, for example, posters, presentations and Q&A discussions.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers - BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

72 points

GCE A level

72 points overall, including grade D in A level

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

International Baccalaureate

24 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4

Scottish Highers: CCDD

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall

T Level

T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: MMP

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. 

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

In November 2024, as part of the government’s Autumn Budget, it was confirmed that some foundation years from September 2025 will have a fee of £5,760 for the first foundation year of a four-year course. This is mainly for courses in the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences disciplines. The following three years of these courses will be the standard fee of £9,535 per annum.

  Foundation (First) Year Second Year onwards per year
Home Students £5,760 for the first foundation year (2025/26) £9,535 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26)
International Students * £10,750 for the first foundation year (2025/26) £14,450 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26)

* For courses which accept applications from International Students

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Students often elect to purchase a laptop, where students choose to do so, the cost it likely to be around £800-£1000.

Most software specific to your course is available free to students through agreements we have with the software vendors. 

Occasional, optional, field trips may be offered, depending on student demand, these are typically within the UK and where chargeable the cost is likely to be under £100. Students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

Who You’ll Learn From

Dr Nancy Evans

Programme Leader, BSc Sociology
Dr Nancy Evans

Dr Joe Rigby

Senior Lecturer; Sociology
Blank profile picture.

Dr Djordje Sredanovic

Lecturer, Sociology
Dr Djordje Sredanovic

Dr Kim Ross

Deputy Head, Social and Political Science
Dr Kim Ross

Dr Suzanne Francis

Associate Professor of Conflict Transformation & Peace Studies; Programme Leader, Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations
Suzanne Francis

Dr Mark Bendall

Senior Lecturer, Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations
Dr Mark Bendall

Dr Michael Francis

Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer, Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations
Dr Michael Francis

Dr Rachel Massey

Senior Lecturer, Global Affairs, Politics and International Relations
Dr Rachel Massey

Paul French

Lecturer, Criminology
Paul French

Where You'll Study Exton Park, Chester

Your Future Career

Job prospects

A degree such as this equips graduates with a broad understanding of societal structures, political systems, and international affairs. This interdisciplinary foundation can lead to various career opportunities across multiple sectors. Here's a list of potential career paths: 

Government and Public Service 

  • Diplomat or Foreign Service Officer 
  • Policy Analyst 
  • Legislative Assistant 
  • City Planner 
  • Immigration Officer 

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and International Organizations: 

  • Programme Coordinator/Manager 
  • Human Rights Advocate 
  • Refugee Support Worker 
  • International Development Worker 
  • Volunteer Service Officer 

Research and Academia: 

  • University Professor or Lecturer 
  • Research Analyst 
  • Think Tank Researcher 

Media and Journalism: 

  • Political Journalist or Correspondent 
  • Editor for Political or Cultural Publications 
  • Documentary Filmmaker 

Business and Industry: 

  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Specialist 
  • International Business Consultant 
  • Market Research Analyst 

Law and Criminal Justice: 

  • Paralegal or Legal Researcher 
  • Human Rights Specialist 
  • Immigration Lawyer (with additional certification) 
  • International Law Specialist 

Social Services: 

  • Social Worker (with additional certification) 
  • Community Outreach Coordinator 
  • Advocacy Specialist 

Consulting: 

  • Political Consultant 
  • Public Affairs Consultant 
  • International Relations Consultant 

Intelligence and Security: 

  • Intelligence Analyst (for agencies like the CIA, MI6, etc.) 
  • Security Consultant 
  • Public Relations and Communications: 
  • Public Relations Specialist for Governmental or International Organisations 
  • Communication Strategist for NGOs or Multinationals 
  • Lobbyist 

Non-Profit Sector: 

  • Programme Director 
  • Fundraiser or Grant Writer 
  • Volunteer Coordinator 

Think Tanks and Foundations: 

  • Research Associate 
  • Project Manager 
  • Policy Advocate 

These career opportunities can vary in terms of requirements, so it's beneficial for graduates to seek internships, network with professionals in their field of interest, and possibly pursue additional certifications or graduate studies to better qualify for specific roles. The diverse skill set from studying this degree can be applied in many contexts, making these graduates valuable in a variety of professional settings. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.