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Social and Political Sciences

BA (Hons)

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: M113

  • Four years part-time, on campus

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: M114

  • Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: M113

  • Four years part-time, on campus

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: M114

  • Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Our BA Social and Political Sciences will help you gain a strong grounding in the key skills and methods used in the study of modern social and political sciences. Drawing on the interdisciplinary strengths of Birkbeck’s School of Social Sciences, this course offers you the means to understand, analyse and propose solutions to some of the central social and political problems of today.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This course emphasises a global perspective and is taught by lecturers at the cutting edge of applying their knowledge to real-world problems. 
    • It benefits from an interdisciplinary approach that brings in knowledge from across the social and political sciences, including politics and international relations, sociology, human geography, political economy, criminology and psychosocial studies.
    • It offers you the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge you can apply in professions and fields such as political leadership, policy-making, community organisation and social or political activism.

  • What will I learn?

    Throughout this course you will develop core skills that you can apply to the study of social and political issues including:

    • the character of the state and politics in the present day
    • conflict and cooperation in the international political and economic system
    • social and public policy in relation to economic development, social inequality, climate change and crime
    • the impact of digital technology on politics and society.

  • How will I learn?

    This course is taught via lectures, some of which may be pre-recorded or recorded live so you can return to them when you need to, and seminars. Lectures engage you with an overview of the topic before directing you to other resources, while seminars are interactive group sessions in which you will contribute to discussion or group work.

    At the end of this course you will have the chance to design an independent research project on a topic of your choice employing all of the skills and methods you have learnt.

    This course is available to study full- or part-time. You can also choose your own timetable for the core/compulsory modules selecting whether to study them in the daytime or in the evening. Find out more about choosing your own timetable.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: One to two afternoons or evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One afternoon or evening a week, October to July.

  • Foundation Year

    If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More Highlights

  • Birkbeck’s location at the centre of important policy and research communities in London provides an opportunity to engage directly with real-world political and social issues. A feature of the course is its connection to Birkbeck research institutes such as the Centre for British Political Life, the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research and the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research, which host regular events with external speakers including politicians, policymakers such as civil servants, political and community activists, and public intellectuals.
  • This course is taught by researchers whose work is at the cutting edge of their disciplines, demonstrating significant impact on matters of social and public policy and politics more generally. The subject areas that make up Birkbeck’s School of Social Sciences have a long history of engagement with politics and public life in the UK and globally, with many of our alumni going on to play leading roles in government and society.
  • We have built up a strong reputation over more than 50 years for the excellence of our teaching and the international significance of our research in politics.

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

Visit the school

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

Clearing for 2026 is open
Apply now

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year

Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £19,320 per year

Six years part-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,250 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,660 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £14,490 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating with this BA Social and Political Sciences, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including an ability to:

  • discuss and critique the central concepts and theories utilised in modern social and political sciences
  • gather and analyse data, demonstrating an understanding of the distinction between qualitative and quantitative methods
  • identify and evaluate the significance of real-world social and political problems, and propose solutions to them
  • understand ongoing debates and the interconnection between bodies of knowledge, events, practices and institutions within the field.

Our BA Social and Political Sciences provides you with a strong foundation of skills and knowledge ideal for employment in politics and policy and working for political parties, government administration, NGOs and international organisations. It can also be used to progress on to postgraduate study in this area. 

You will find BA Social and Political Sciences graduates following career paths including:

  • political leadership
  • public administration and policy-making
  • research and leadership in NGOs
  • journalism
  • teaching
  • community organisation
  • political campaigning and activism.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

  • How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

  • How do I apply to study part-time?

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.

    Please note that online application opens in September.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

  • How can I get help with my application?

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

  • International agents

    If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Related courses

Study routes for Social and Political Sciences (BA (Hons))

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.

2026-27

Full-time

Part-time

2027-28

Full-time