BSc Sociology and Politics of Science
About this course
BSc in Sociology and Politics of Science, a sociology degree exploring the intersection of modern society, scientific practice, and technology. Core topics include Research Methods. This three-year course includes a dissertation in the final year and is also available with an additional study abroad year at an overseas institution. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as History of Science: Antiquity to Enlightenment, Philosophy of Science 1, Science Policy, and Investigating Sociology and Politics of Science. The second year examines theoretical and methodological frameworks via compulsory modules including Thinking about Technology, Sociology of Science and Technology, Research Methods in Science and Technology Studies, and Sociology and Politics of Public Science. Students can also select from optional modules in the second year such as Policy Issues in the Life Sciences, Science and Ethics, Science and Religion, and Sociology and Politics of Medicine. The third year centres on an independent Dissertation, alongside optional modules covering topics such as Disease in History, Evolution in Science and Culture, Special Topics in Science and Society, and Science, Warfare and Peace.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB IB: 36 points (A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.)
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 70%: 21 offers from 30 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 96%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 60%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started
- A levels: 71%
- Baccalaureate: 14%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 8%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- History of Science: Antiquity to Enlightenment
- Philosophy of Science 1
- Science Policy
- Investigating Sociology and Politics of Science
- Introduction to History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science
- History of Modern Science
- STS Perspectives on Big Problems
- Science in Popular Culture
- Thinking about Technology
- Sociology of Science and Technology
- Research Methods in Science and Technology Studies
- Sociology and Politics of Public Science
- Policy Issues in the Life Sciences
- Science and Ethics
- Science and Religion
- Sociology and Politics of Medicine
- Science in Government
- Realising Utopia Science and Technology for a Better World
- Warnings For All
- Global Governance of Health and Medicine
- Dissertation
- Disease in History
- Evolution in Science and Culture
- Special Topics in Science and Society
- Science, Warfare and Peace
- Advanced Sociology of Science
- Science and the Publishing Industry
- Science in the Twentieth Century
- Philosophy of Natural Sciences
- Philosophy of Chemistry
- Investigating Contemporary Science
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Sociology and Politics of Science at University College London earn?
The median salary is £30,500 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £48,000. The £37,500 median after five years is £11,000 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BSc Sociology and Politics of Science at University College London do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Sociology and Politics of Science at University College London?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BSc Sociology and Politics of Science at University College London?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Sociology and Politics of Science at University College London?
70% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 21 offers from 30 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BSc Sociology and Politics of Science at University College London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.