BSc (Hons) Sociology and English Language

**Aston University is The Guardian's 'University of the Year' 2020.****Course outline**Our BSc (Hons) Sociology and English Language course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of social processes, inequalities, organisational dynamics and inter-group relationships. We explore the social constraints we encounter in our everyday lives and how they are reinforced by class, race, religion and gender. To understand how these issues perpetuate existing inequalities and unequal life chances, we analyse how politics is intertwined with the profit-making aims pursued by big corporations and how their combined interests dominate our social imaginations. When learning about contemporary sociological topics such as inequality, racism, health, migration, sexuality, identity, education, the media, crime and climate change, you will be taught by experts in these fields. Also in English, staff are internationally recognised researchers in fields such as ethnic and gender equalities, global change, theories of social change, forensic linguistics, language and gender and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).The joint honours degree combines an introduction to specific skills such as research design, use of comparative method, written and oral presentation with an emphasis on social change. Strengths of the course include its research-led nature and focus on key contemporary social issues, social policy and decision making, global trends and international comparisons.The placement year is optional for students studying Sociology and English Language and is designed to give you real-life experience and to act as a springboard for your future career. Our graduates are in demand from a wide range of employers where a sound understanding of societies, organisations, institutions and communication skills are required.If you choose to take a placement year, this will take place during your third year at Aston and is worth 10 per cent of the final degree result. Unlike some other universities, the placement year at Aston is not a ‘bolt-on’ year, it is an integral part of your degree for which you are prepared in your second year.**Key benefits**- 100 per cent of students studying sociology courses at Aston said that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2020).- English at Aston scored 92 per cent for overall student satisfaction (National Student Survey, 2020).- Employed Aston sociology graduates earn £4,000 (23 per cent) more than the UK average, one year after graduation (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2020).- English at Aston was ranked 1st in the UK for ‘student to staff ratio’ (Guardian, 2020). This measure compares the number of staff teaching a subject with the number of students studying it. With smaller class sizes and more teaching staff available, English students at Aston can benefit from a more personalised and comprehensive learning experience.