Sociology with Social Policy (Welsh Medium) BA (Hons) Undergraduate - September 2025/26* Entry

Taught entirely in Welsh, the BA Cymdeithaseg gyda Pholisi Cymdeithasol is ideal if you dream of someday improving social and welfare conditions in Wales or on behalf of Welsh citizens. You can choose to study English language modules and we run an alternative BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy taught in English.

As well as examining national and global problems, such as inequality or climate change, our focus on Wales and Welsh issues provides a real sense of what is happening in local communities. You’ll consider pressing social issues like homelessness and lack of affordable housing, for example, or poor broadband connection in the Welsh countryside.

The Welsh medium teaching team’s expertise in teaching sociology through the medium of Welsh led to the production of the ground-breaking ‘Pecyn Adnoddau Amlgyfrwng Cymdeithaseg’ series, currently used in schools and universities across Wales. Their subject-specific knowledge also encompasses social change and conflict, education, language, identities (race, democracy, nation), social issues (health, housing and social inequality), crime and justice, media, music, political action and technology.

We are the only university where you can study your Sociology and Social Policy degree entirely in Welsh. Our bilingual community is an integral part of Bangor University and around 70% of staff have skills in the Welsh Language. This enables you to meet and study in a friendly, supportive environment with other Welsh speaking students and staff.

This Welsh medium BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy provides a solid foundation in the key concepts and approaches of two complementary disciplines. Sociology examines the causes and impact of social problems, while Social Policy provides the insight to better address society’s needs and rights. The degree programme is also suitable for those with an interest in public administration.

You will explore contemporary social and political issues, such as poverty, housing and education, identifying causes and solutions. Hearing opinions of students from all over the world, with differing backgrounds and experiences, opens you up to new perspectives.

You’ll also hear first-hand experiences from those supporting social change. Guest speakers have previously included Race Council Cymru, Social Workers Without Borders, Action For Children, HM Courts and Tribunals Services, Gwynedd Council, and Antur Waenfawr. While visits to local and national government offices allow you to see policy making in progress within a devolved Wales.

This is a Welsh medium course. This course can also be studied through the medium of English. The English medium course has a different UCAS code. 

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• Bangor is the only university to offer a Sociology and Social Policy degree taught 100% in Welsh. This can boost your employability in workplaces which value or insist on Welsh language skills.
• You can gain funding when you study through the medium of Welsh. Scholarships by The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer up to £1,000 per year whilst the University Welsh Medium Bursary offers an additional £250 per year depending on the amount of Welsh modules taken.
• Close links with local/national governments, employers, charities, social care organisations and criminal justice agencies enable field trips, for example, to the UK and Welsh Parliaments and Supreme Court.
• Taught by internationally respected researchers exploring the effects of innovation, social changes, political and policy developments on health, poverty, language, social care, welfare and wellbeing.
• Gain real-life experience on placement – students have previously worked with Citizens Advice, Welsh Women’s Aid, local authorities, Llandudno Museum, for example.

Additional Course Options

Studying this combined undergraduate Sociology and Social Policy degree gives you a broader knowledge base and prepares you for research, policy analysis, public or voluntary service locally, nationally or internationally.

You’ll gain an understanding of the key concepts, theoretical traditions and developments that have shaped sociology as a discipline. Making the connections between personal troubles and public issues, you’ll look at how governments and other agencies respond to social issues, such as care for the elderly or children's rights and the gender pay gap.

Examining the policy-making process in-depth, you will critically evaluate existing policies and interventions. You’ll also develop the knowledge and skills to conduct your own research to inform future policy development. The Welsh medium degree has a focus on current issues and social policy within the devolved context of Wales and prepares students to join the bilingual workforce in Wales.

Where possible, as well as discussion, you learn by doing. For example, in Rhaniadau Cymdeithasol (Social Divides), we consider poverty and social exclusion by analysing official government statistics in the context of real-world examples of the lived experiences of people in Wales.

Optional modules (subject to change) allow you to tailor the content of your degree to match your interests or career aspirations. For example, Cymru yn y Byd (Wales in the Modern World) offers students an opportunity to study a socio-historic analysis of how contemporary Wales developed in the modern age. Hawliau Ieithyddol (Language Rights) provides student with an in-depth analysis of language rights in a multilingual world, with a focus on Wales and the Welsh language context.

The placement year and optional work placement module give you the chance to experience work in a real-life situation. Past students from the School have worked with a wide range of charities focused on supporting refugees, international human rights, victims of domestic violence and children in families separated or divorced, for example. Others have worked across the University organising events or conferences and in student support.

Meanwhile, the research project or dissertation lets you explore topics of particular interest or issues you feel passionately about. To give you an idea, recent examples include studies on social use of the Welsh language, the impact of tourism on housing, and the influence of social media on young people.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Sociology with Social Policy (Welsh Medium) BA (Hons) Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

Information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

In 2017, the Welsh Government's Welsh Language Strategy, Cymraeg 2050 set targets for a million Welsh speakers and a fifth of the population speaking Welsh daily by 2050. Anyone wishing to work within public sector organisations, such as local or Welsh government, education and health, will need to be able to work in both Welsh and English as a part of their day-to-day contact with colleagues and the public.

Sociology and Social Policy graduates can enter a wide range of occupations, including public housing, civil service, health service, management, local government administration, language planning, community development, education, public relations, and the voluntary sector.

Your knowledge of people, social problems and analytical, research and critical thinking skills will be valuable in almost any career. For example, in advertising, marketing, journalism, management and administration, the museums and heritage sector, commerce and banking, teaching and research, and the law.

Our graduates have pursued careers within the policy and social field, including public housing, civil service, health service, management, local government administration, education, public relations, and the voluntary sector.

Typical roles may include:

• Roles in public administration
• Economy and Community development officer
• Children and Family support officer
• Housing and welfare officer
• Learning support officer
• Adult, Health and Well-being officer
• Third sector/voluntary sector staff
• Events co-ordinator
• Grants officer
• Human resources officer
• International aid/development worker
• Journalist
• Life coach*
• Local Government graduate trainee
• Personnel manager and officer
• Probation officer
• Public relations officer
• Researcher
• Youth worker
• Probation officer
• Sustainability officer
• Victim advocate

*additional training may be required. 

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.

A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Sociology (with Foundation Year).