Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology and Criminology. This 4-year interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree includes a mandatory placement year. It provides a thorough training in the major areas of political science, economics, and sociology. You will investigate the different kinds of social tensions, interactions, and networks that make up everyday life. The course allows you to explore the broadest questions about our society and offers flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests, choosing from a broad range of areas including public policy (health, environment, crime, aging), citizenship, multiculturalism, human rights, the nature of work, political power, and applied economics. The program is offered by three of the UK's leading social science departments, ensuring fundamental links between the disciplines. The placement year, usually taken in Year 3, provides valuable work experience in an external business or organization, enhancing employability.

Graduates from this interdisciplinary degree with a placement year gain a diverse set of highly transferable skills and invaluable practical experience, making them exceptionally well-prepared for a wide range of careers across public, private, and voluntary sectors. Potential career paths include: Policy roles (local and central government), Social Research, Market Research, Data Analysis, Business, Finance, Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Public Relations, Journalism, Media, Education, Community and Youth Work, Housing, Criminal Justice (e.g., police, probation services), Charitable and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The placement year significantly enhances career prospects and networking opportunities. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study.

The University of Essex is a university with a forward-thinking environment and diverse international community, with students from 132 countries. Essex is a centre of world-leading research excellence for the social sciences, with its Department of Sociology and Criminology ranked 2nd in the UK for research power in sociology (REF 2021). It offers a location close to beautiful countryside that's only an hour away from London by train, providing access to a major global city while enjoying a more relaxed environment. The Department has unique facilities including a Study Centre offering academic and personal support, and access to internationally acclaimed resources like the UK Data Archive and the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER). Students benefit from learning from expert staff engaged in cutting-edge research, and the placement year provides a competitive edge in the graduate job market.