Business and Sociology

Course overview

Studying BSc (Hons) Business and Sociology at Aston University will develop your sociological imagination whilst honing your business acumen, management and critical thinking skills to understand the broader implications of individual actions in society.

The programme delves into real-life experiences and their connections to larger social issues. You will explore the impact of social constraints, class, race, religion, and gender on inequality and life chances. You will learn the theories, principles and concepts of management functions and will explore business models, drawing on the knowledge of our experts at Aston Business School.

You will be taught by research-active staff who are experts in contemporary topics like inequality, racism, health, migration, and more, and who constantly update their teaching based on research findings.

The integrated placement year will provide you with invaluable real-world experience, boosting your employability.

"When I was deciding on universities, I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to study. At college, I enjoyed A Level Sociology, but I knew that I wanted to go into business and Aston University was one of the only universities that did a joint honours degree"

Safia Noreen

BSc (Hons) Business and Sociology

Why Business and Sociology at Aston University?

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

Safe in our hands

Sociology at Aston University was ranked top 15 in the UK for ‘graduate prospects – on track’ (Complete University Guide, 2024)

Our full attention

Sociology at Aston University was ranked 10th in the UK for ‘student to staff ratio’ (Guardian, 2024)

66th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024)

Maggie's story

Maggie Krasteva, an International Relations and Sociology graduate, shares her experience as a student at Aston University and how it helped her achieve her dream of working in New York City.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.

AI & Digital

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inclusive Leadership

Environmental Sustainability

Discover Power Skills

Course description

BSc (Hons) Business and Sociology

Our BSc (Hons) Business and Sociology degree at Aston University equip you with the expertise, in-depth knowledge, and practical insights needed to understand and address real-life social and business challenges in the 21st century.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. There will be a focus on workshops and group discussions to develop the skills that will make you career ready. We will equip you with the knowledge and analytical skills that will enable you to think critically and work independently.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a willingness to learn and an ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
Alongside cultivating your sociological imagination, you will develop key analytical and critical thinking skills, enabling you to address big questions around how businesses and society is organised. Our graduates are empathetic, culturally aware leaders who are equipped with the right skills to make an impact in their chosen careers.

Placement year
We all know that taking a placement year will boost your employability – it’s what makes Aston University graduates some of the most employable in the country. It’s for this reason that we encourage every student to take one. The placement year gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills.

The placement year is compulsory for BSc (Hons) Business and Sociology students. International students can request permission to opt out of the placement year, but we strongly recommend that it is completed where possible.

Career prospects
As an Aston University Business and Sociology graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work across the public, private and third sectors for organisations including: Aviva Investors, Deloitte, Allianz, Nissan, Virgin Media and the NHS.

How you will learn

Our teaching approach is innovative, comprehensive, and practical, emphasising real-world application. The BSc (Hons) Business and Sociology programme employs diverse teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, project work and independent study. At the start of your course, you will be allocated a personal tutor who can offer individual study advice and guidance.

Our emphasis is on practical knowledge application, with guest lectures from prominent business leaders and mentoring programs offering unique insights. Our renowned Visiting Professors, top UK business figures, share their expertise and expectations from students and graduates.

Complementing traditional teaching, our virtual learning environment provides electronic support materials. You'll have access to the University Library's extensive collection of over 25,000 books and electronic journals. University-wide services like the careers service, Jobshop, counselling and advice services, sports facilities, and Chaplaincy enhance your overall university experience and prepare you for your professional career.

What you will learn

Driven by the needs of industry and individuals, our course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of key management and sociological concepts and an ability to critically analyse these, alongside the opportunity to specialise in areas of business and sociology that interest you.

First year

In your first year, you will grasp the fundamental principles of business and sociology. Tackling theoretical, ethical and management challenges through a range of modules, you will begin to develop your communication, analysis and critical thinking skills.

Second year

With the fundamentals mastered in the first year, your second year will sharpen your ability to synthesise, evaluate and critically analyse concepts and theories. You will delve into statistics, research methods, corporate functions and advanced communication and management techniques.

Placement year

The Aston University placement year forms an integral part of your educational journey and gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills. Our award-winning careers and placements team are on hand to support you through every step of your placement journey.

Final year

In your final year, you will complete a research dissertation on a sociological topic of your choice, showcasing your ability to conduct independent research with a clear consideration of ethics, theory and methods. You will specialise in topics you enjoy most by choosing from a range of optional modules.

My placement year at Agilent Technologies

Sheena Desai took every opportunity available to her at Aston University which has supported her to grow and thrive in her career today.

Discover Sheena's journey

Course objectives

Provides you with an excellent learning experience that draws on the research and consultancy of Aston University academic staff.
Provides you with an intellectually rigorous and up-to-date education in business and sociology which will help you to identify and achieve your personal, academic and professional goals.
Provides a good understanding of the history of sociological thought, and sociological theories and methods.
Provides you with the ability to analyse and understand social problems, social change and social structures.
Ensures familiarity with key concepts in sociological theories and key issues in contemporary societies.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Introduction to Social Theory	30
Becoming a Social Scientist	30
Introductory Accounting for Business	15
Economic Environment of Business	15
Introduction to Organisational Behaviour	15
Introduction to Marketing Management	15
Total	120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Understand the underlying concepts and principles associated with business and sociology as academic disciplines, including key theoretical and ethical issues.
Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving management problems.
Communicate accurately, effectively and appropriately, presenting structured and coherent arguments, demonstrating awareness of professional norms.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main functions of business and management.
Demonstrate competence in the use of information technology for word processing, data handling, communication, and information gathering.
Think critically and develop lines of argument and analysis in accordance with basic social scientific theories and concepts.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Advanced Social Theory	15
Research Methods	15
Strategic Finance	15
Operations Management	15
Fundamental Strategy	15
Virtual Business Simulation	15
Total	90

You will choose two of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Advanced Research Methods	15
Global Society	15
Embodiment and Feminist Theory	15
Media and Society	15
Kith and Kin	15
The Social Life of Stuff	15
Crime, Subversion and Injustice	15
Racisms	15
Contested Cities	15
Welfare States	15
Organising for Social Justice	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Synthesise, explain, and evaluate different concepts, theories, and evidence to form compelling arguments.
Think critically and have an understanding of different epistemological approaches and how they influence analyses and interpretations.
Demonstrate understanding of a range of basic descriptive and inferential statistics used in data analysis and key methods used in qualitative research.
Demonstrate understanding of the main methods of enquiry in business and sociology as academic disciplines and critically evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches.
Demonstrate understanding of the roles of various corporate functions in theory and practice.
Communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences and deploy key techniques of management effectively.

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Demonstrate increasing personal and professional development through a placement.
Articulate key personal, cultural, professional and disciplinary knowledge and skills relevant to the placement experience and reflect on performance.
Communicate clearly the ways in which placement-related skills can be transferred to support ongoing personal, professional and academic development.

Final year modules

In your final year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Dissertation (Sociology)	30
Theories and Practice of Leadership	15
Business Ethics	15
Total	60

You will choose two of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Work, Organisations and Society	15
Bodies, Power and Resistance	15
Contemporary Social Movements	15
Corporate Power in a Globalised World	15
Pregnancy and Politics	15
Education for the 21st Century	15
Religion and Society	15
Migration, Borders and Belonging	15
Health Policy	15
The Challenges of Climate Change	15

You will choose two of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
International Marketing	15
Sustainable Operations Management	15
Learning and Development	15
Strategic Human Resource Management	15
Innovation	15
Consumer Research and the Customer Experience	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Final year outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Demonstrate systematic understanding of key aspects of business and sociology academic disciplines.
Demonstrate systematic and critical knowledge of the key theories, methods, and applications of management.
Create and present sustained arguments backed up with evidence that reflects contemporary understanding of business and sociology as academic disciplines.
Communicate ideas, problems, solutions and research results effectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Identify a research question and design, execute and report an extensive, empirically based research project.
Exercise personal initiative and responsibility and make informed decisions in complex and unpredictable contexts.

We regularly review our modules to provide the best possible teaching and learning experience, incorporating academic developments, student feedback and employer feedback.

There may be some change to some of the modules on this course for 2025/26 entry.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any changes to modules at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints may mean it isn’t possible to take some module combinations. The structure of some courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Aston Power Skills

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.
As an Aston student, you will develop expertise in four key areas:

AI & Digital

Join the rise of the humans. Don't fear AI, master it and use it for good. Develop digital skills for the future, whatever career you want to pursue.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Don't follow the rules, rewrite them. Today’s fast-changing world needs original thinkers. Creators. Innovators. Risk takers. So get ready to think smart and reach the next level.

Inclusive Leadership

Make space for every voice to be heard. Be the one who brings people together with a shared vision. Learn to break down barriers and be the leader the future needs.

Environmental Sustainability

It's not game over for our planet. It's game on. Together we can create a greener tomorrow. The world urgently needs graduates who can shape more sustainable and ethical ways of working. The future depends on it.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBC (standard offer)
BCC (with EPQ or Core Maths minimum grade B)
BCC (contextual offer)
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM (standard offer)

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

29 points overall in the IB diploma with grades 5,5,4 in 3 higher level subjects.

You must also have Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics and grade 5 in English Language.

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 15 credits at distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.

The following T Levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade D
Digital Production, Design and Production - grade D
Education and Childcare - grade D
Onsite Construction - grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction - grade D
Digital Business Services - grade D
Digital Support Services - grade D
Health - grade D
Healthcare Science - grade D
Science - grade D
Accounting - grade D
Finance - grade D
Management and administration - grade D
Design and development for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Legal Services - grade D

GCSE Maths – grade C/4
GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a first year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 3 entry onwards: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 or final year.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,535*
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£21,500
During placement year:	£2,500

UK students (Home Undergraduate):

The annual tuition fee for the programme commencing in academic year 2025/26 will be £9,535 (subject to the passing of legislation implementing the Government’s policy to increase the maximum tuition fee from £9,250, payable by Home Undergraduate students on full-time courses). The fee for the placement year is £1,250.

International students (Overseas Undergraduate):

The annual tuition fee for the programme commencing in academic year 2025/26 will be £21,500. The fee for the placement year is £2,500.

All students:

The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this course page and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its Terms and Conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above, but your total tuition fee will never increase by more than 6% year on year. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments. Special emphasis will be placed on authentic assessment.

Career prospects

Our BSc (Hons) Business and Sociology programme will prepare you for a range of careers across the public, private and third sectors. Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, according to the 2023 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO). This data shows that five years after graduation, employed Aston University graduates have the 15th highest median salary among all UK Higher Education Institutions, with a median salary of £36,100.

The transferable skills that our business and sociology programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

Communications officer
Real assets analyst
Events officer
Management trainee
HR senior associate
Human resource specialist

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Allianz, Deloitte, Nissan, Virgin Media, Aviva Investors, Agilent Technologies, Fintax and the NHS.

L'myah Sherae - Politics and Sociology graduate

One of the best decisions I made

L’myah Sherae knew she wanted to work in race relations and politics from a young age. She completed her placement year at the Houses of Parliament and now runs her own political campaigns company.

Discover L'myah's journey

Our students achieve some amazing things during their time with us and after they graduate - whether it's setting up their own businesses, landing competitive graduate schemes, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Simba's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I went on The Apprentice

Sunjay's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I worked with Kylie Minogue

Christine's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I founded a global football franchise

Frequently asked questions

Why study business and sociology?

You will get to explore, debate and discuss some of the biggest issues in society while learning about a variety of business functions and putting all of this into practice in real-world environments with an integrated placement year.

How will a placement year benefit me?

Whether you choose to study abroad or do a work placement, Aston University’s links with employers and universities around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work.

Our work placements give you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt on your course while gaining valuable professional and paid experience. It can enhance your graduate employment prospects and help you to make more informed career decisions. Around one in five of our placement students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employer.

Find out more

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham