Sociology, Politics and International Studies Study Guide 2026/27

What you can study

The interdisciplinary School of Sociology, Politics, and International Relations provides an international perspective on the social and the political. We are committed to rigorous conceptual and empirical research that is politically and socially relevant and problem-orientated. Our aim is not just to monitor the world but to contribute to a better understanding and to ways that might improve it.

• culture and society
• migration and multiculturalism
• conflict, peace, violence, crime, and justice
• gender and sexuality
• race, colonialism, postcolonialism, and decolonialism
• the environment
• class, political and social inequalities
• specific regions: Africa, the Americas, Europe, South and East Asia

Pre-requisites

At UK universities, students specialise from their first year and rarely take units outside their degree subject. This means that:

• Year 1 units are suitable for all students.
• Year 2 units require some university study in the discipline.
• Year 3 units require a strong background in the discipline.

Subject pathway students

If you have been nominated to Bristol on the Study Abroad (Sociology, Politics & International Studies pathway), you must take the majority of your credits from this guide.

Politics Sociology

Application queries

Contact the Centre for Study Abroad inbound team if you have any queries about the application process for the study abroad programmes:

Phone: +44 117 39 40207
Email: cfsa-inbound@bristol.ac.uk