personal statement politics and sociology

Study Undergraduate

Politics and sociology ba (ucas ll23).

22 September 2025

3 years full-time

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Politics and International Studies

University of Warwick

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Find out more about our Politics and Sociology degree at Warwick

Why are some people uninterested in elections? Does surveillance benefit society? If these questions fascinate you, this degree could be the right fit for you. Learn how to think critically about contemporary society in the UK and beyond. Enrich your understanding of key concepts such as gender and the state.

General entry requirements

A level typical offer, a level contextual offer.

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is BBB. See if you’re eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

IB typical offer

Ib contextual offer.

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 30. See if you’re eligible.

Other UK qualifications

Will be considered as long as essential entry requirements are met.

Scotland Advanced Highers

AB in two Advanced Highers where a minimum of AAB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects, OR AA in two Advanced Highers where ABB/BBB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate

ABB in three subjects at A level plus grade C in the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas

We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.

Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.

International qualifications

• English Language requirements

All applicants have to meet our English Language requirements Link opens in a new window . If you cannot demonstrate that you meet these, you may be invited to take part in our Pre-sessional English course at Warwick Link opens in a new window .

This course requires: Band B

Learn more about our English Language requirements Link opens in a new window .

Frequently asked questions

Contextual data and differential offers.

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the contextual data criteria .

Differential offers will usually be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.

Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP .

• Taking a gap year

We welcome applications for deferred entry.

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Course overview

On this joint degree, you will be a member of both the Politics and Sociology departments. Both departments are in the same building on campus and are closely associated.

This joint honours degree explores theoretical and empirical approaches to political and social ideas and issues, and the impact of these on our everyday lives. An interdisciplinary approach encourages you to consider the world from different political and sociological perspectives.

It enables you to think critically about contemporary society in the UK and beyond. It also encourages you to explore sub-fields such as gender and sexuality, race and difference, international relations, international political economy, sociology of media and culture, and international development.

Study abroad

Students can also choose to apply for an intercalated year through the Sociology department.

Intercalated (adds a year to your degree)

This option adds one year to your degree. You can either apply to study at one of our partner universities or set up an approved work placement.

Partner countries

Countries and partner universities where students have studied abroad: (Please note countries and institutions are subject to change)

• University of Waterloo
• University of British Columbia
• Queen’s University
• McMaster University
• Cities include: Paris, Madrid, Vienna, Berlin, Milan, Barcelona
• Countries: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Sweden
• Waseda University
• Hokkaido University
• Kyoto University
• Nagoya University
• Monash University
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• University of Hong Kong
• Chinese University of Hong Kong
• City University Hong Kong
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• National University of Singapore

South Korea

• Seoul National University

You may also apply for a work placement in the UK or abroad (approval from department needed).

Core modules

This joint degree is 50:50 between Politics and Sociology, with an optional split of 75:25 in the final year.

You can focus on a range of sub-fields including:

• Political Theory
• Social theory
• Comparative politics
• Gender and sexuality
• Race and difference
• International relations
• International political economy
• Media and culture
• International development

Political and social theory provides the foundation for this degree. You then have the choice to tailor your degree with optional modules.

Introduction to Politics

Introduction to Politics gives you a broad overview of the main issues and theoretical perspectives within Politics. You'll learn first to understand and then apply the core concepts of comparative political science and theory to processes, institutions, ideologies and practical policy-making. You'll conduct a comparative study of different political systems and political change, both in writing and in open debate.

Read more about the Introduction to Politics module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

World Politics

In this module, you'll be introduced to world politics and the role that international relations plays in the interactions between nations. You'll gain a solid understanding of the historical underpinnings of the structure and systems of states, and become familiar with major theories of international relations post-1945. You'll analyse contemporary writings on world politics and engage critically, both orally and in writing, with key concepts and theoretical debates on the nature of international political systems.

Read more about the World Politics module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Introduction to Social Analytics in Social Inequalities Research

In the age of ever-increasing data availability which is paired with a growing sophistication of statistical techniques, the opportunities for social science research are vast. This module will give you an understanding of the basic elements of core descriptive statistics which will allow you not only to critically engage with quantitative findings in existing social science research, but also conduct quantitative analysis yourself. The module covers the topics of conceptualisation, operationalisation and measurement, as well as the principles of sampling and the basics of research design. You will be introduced to the process of social science research and quantitative methods in one hour lectures, and then explore these in extended seminars (2h) both through readings, and the statistical software SPSS. We will be working on real data sets, such as the European Social Survey.

Read more about the Introduction to Social Analytics in Social Inequalities Research module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Researching Society and Culture

What is society and how do you study it? Is human behaviour governed by rules similar to the natural world that you can study objectively? Or do human beings consciously act upon their environment and change the world through creativity and intelligence, driven by their own understanding and motivations? These are some of the questions that this module will explore.

You will be introduced to the core ideas behind sociological research and the practical tools to undertake research yourself. As well as looking at some of the key qualitative methods (for example, interviews, ethnography and discourse analysis), you will also examine the political, ethical and practical issues that social research inevitably entails.

Read more about the Researching Society and Culture module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Optional core modules

• History of Sociological Thought
• Sociology of Gender
• Class and Capitalism in a Neoliberal World
• Sociology of Race

Foundations of Political Theory

The aim of this module is to introduce you to some of the foundational arguments and debates in modern (mainly) European political theory, as well as some of the discipline’s most important primary texts. To this end, you will critically examine claims about freedom, equality, democracy, revolution and crisis made by some of the most important political thinkers from 1640 onwards.

Read more about the Foundations of Political Theory module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).

Topics in Political Theory

Politics considers how the political world operates, and how it ought to operate. In this module, we consider the “oughts” of politics. Building on Foundations of Political Theory, the module examines key thinkers and topics in contemporary normative political theory. The module is divided into two parts: key thinkers in contemporary normative political theory, including John Rawls, Robert Nozick, and Susan Moller Okin; and key topics in contemporary normative political theory, including issues such as immigration, education, representation, microaggressions, and climate change.

Read more about the Topics in Political Theory module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).

Designing and Conducting Social Research

This module will teach you the core concepts and practical skills to undertake qualitative social research in academic and professional settings. These include research design, ethnography, in-depth interviewing, documents and discourse. As well as practical skills, you will investigate how social research has changed in recent decades, considering:

• ethical questions when researching life online
• how (and whether) you should study Twitter
• effects of social media on social interactions
• how to engage diverse audiences

You will also gain analytical skills to critically evaluate previous research and develop your ability to collect and analyse data using a range of qualitative methods.

Read more about the Designing and Conducting Social Research module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

• Modern Social Theory
• Practice and Interpretation of Quantitative Research

Optional modules

Year Two - optional modules in Politics

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Politics of International Development
• Politics in the UK
• Politics of the USA
• Theories of International Relations
• Politics of Contemporary China
• States and Markets: An Introduction to International
• Political Economy
• International Security
• Core Issues in Comparative Politics
• Themes in European Integration
• Gender Matters in International Relations
• Capitalism and its Alternatives
• Political Economy and the Liberal-Democratic State
• Introduction to Comparative Public Policy
• 21st Century Challenges and Public Policy Solutions
• The Political Economy of Southeast Asia
• Introduction to Casual Inference in Quantitative Political Analysi

Year Two - optional modules in Sociology

• Commercial Cultures in Global Capitalism
• Educational Inequalities
• Relationship and Family Change: Demographic and Sociological Perspectives
• Becoming Yourself: The Construction of the Self in Contemporary Western Societies
• Media, Audiences and Social Change
• War, Memory and Society
• Gender, Crime and Justice
• Surveillance and Security: Race, Gender, Class
• Disability, Inequality and the Life Course
• Beyond the Binary: Trans-forming Gender
• Gender and Violence

Year Three - optional modules in Politics

• Gender and Development
• European Union Policy-Making
• Politics of Globalisation
• United States Foreign Policy
• Critical Security Studies
• Vigilant State: The Politics of Intelligence
• State, Power, Freedom: European Political Theory
• The Political Economy of Money
• International Relations of the Americas
• Latin America: Democratisation and Development
• War in the 21st Century
• Politics and Culture in the Middle East
• Violence, Rights, Justice and Peace in the Middle East
• The Global Energy Challenge
• The Politics of Climate Change
• Public Opinion
• Determinants of Democracy
• Dissertation
• The Politics of Religion
• Gender, War and Militarism
• Race and International Politics
• The Political Economy of Islam in Southeast Asia
• Introduction to Casual Inference in Quantitative Political Analysis

Year Three - optional modules in Sociology

• Social Movements and Political Action
• Racism and Xenophobia
• Ethnography and the Anthropological Tradition
• Transnational Media Ecologies
• Race, Resistance and Modernity
• Sociology of Knowledge, Science and Intellectuals
• Multivariate Secondary Analysis of Social Data
• Punishment, Justice and Control
• Feminist Pedagogy Feminist Activism
• Postcolonial Theory and Politics
• Sociology of End Times
• Advanced Quantitative Methods
• Experiments in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Find out more about Politics modules Link opens in a new window

Find out more about Sociology modules Link opens in a new window  

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways including through exams and essays.

• Summative assessments include exams and coursework that go towards your final grade.
• Formative assessments do not contribute marks to your final grade. However, they help you understand key learning points and assessment styles.

Most modules are taught using a combination of weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures give an introduction to a topic to help prepare you for discussions in seminars. In seminars, you can engage in debates and share your views.

You will have a personal tutor who you can speak to about any questions you may have. There are also regular feedback sessions and opportunities to speak to module directors and seminar tutors.

Class sizes

Lecture sizes vary. Lectures are typically accompanied by seminar teaching which allows you to discuss and consolidate your learning.

Typical contact hours

There are 8 to 12 hours of classroom contact available per week. This is also supplemented with group work, one-to-one advice, feedback sessions, and the use of web-based materials.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees cover the majority of the costs of your study, including teaching and assessment. Fees are charged at the start of each academic year. If you pay your fees directly to the University, you can choose to pay in instalments.

Home students

Undergraduate fees.

If you are a home student enrolling in 2024, your annual tuition fees will be £9,250 . In the future, these fees might change for new and continuing students.

2+2 course fees

If you are a home student enrolling in 2022 for a 2+2 course through the Centre for Lifelong Learning, your annual tuition fees will be £6,750 . In the future, these fees might change for new and continuing students.

How are fees set?

The British Government sets tuition fee rates.

Learn more about fees from UCAS Link opens in a new window .

Overseas students

If you are an overseas or EU student enrolling in 2024, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:

• Band 1 – £24,800 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
• Band 2 – £31,620 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Maths, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)

Fees for 2025 entry have not been set. We will publish updated information here as soon as it becomes available, so please check back for updates about 2025 fee rates before you apply.

Fee status guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status. Link opens in a new window

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on this web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue Link opens in a new window (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Further information

Find out more about tuition fees from our Student Finance team .

Scholarships and bursaries

Learn about scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.

We offer a number of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.

Find out more about funding opportunities for full-time students. Link opens in a new window

International scholarships

If you are an international student, a limited number of scholarships may be available.

Find out more information on our international scholarship pages. Link opens in a new window

You may be eligible for financial help from your own government, from the British Council or from other funding agencies. You can usually request information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, or from the local British Council office.

Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship. Link opens in a new window

Part-time fee waiver

Find out more about the Warwick scholarship for part-time students. Link opens in a new window

Warwick Bursary for low income students

We provide extra financial support for qualifying students from lower income families. The Warwick Undergraduate Bursary is an annual award of up to £3,000 per annum. It is intended to help with course-related costs and you do not have to pay it back.

Find out more about your eligibility for the Warwick Undergraduate Bursary. Link opens in a new window

Sanctuary scholarships for asylum seekers

As part of the 'City of Sanctuary' movement, we are committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. We provide a range of scholarships to enable people seeking sanctuary or asylum to progress to access university education.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarships for asylum seekers. Link opens in a new window

Find out more about Warwick undergraduate bursaries and scholarships.

Eligibility for student loans

Your eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality and residency status, your course, and previous study at higher education level.

Check if you're eligible for student finance .

Home students residing in England

Tuition fee loan.

You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees. It is non-means tested, which means the amount you can receive is not based on your household income. The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you won’t have to set up any payments.

Maintenance Loan for living costs

You can apply for a Maintenance Loan towards your living costs such as accommodation, food and bills. This loan is means-tested, so the amount you receive is partially based on your household income and whether you choose to live at home or in student accommodation.

Find out more about government student loans for home students residing in England. Link opens in a new window

Home students residing outside of England

Find out more about student funding for home students residing outside of England. Link opens in a new window

EU students

If you’re starting a course on or after 1 August 2021, you usually must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme Link opens in a new window to get student finance.

If you are an EU student and eligible for student finance you may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees. It is non-means tested, which means the amount you may receive is not based on your household income. The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you won't have to set up any payments.

Help with living costs

For the 2024 academic year, you may be eligible for help with your living costs if both of the following apply:

• You have lived in the UK for more than 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of your course
• You have Settled Status ( see further details on Settled Status) Link opens in a new window

If you are coming to the UK from 1st January 2021, you may need to apply for a visa Link opens in a new window to study here.

Please note: Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Find out more about government student loans for EU students Link opens in a new window

Repaying your loans

You will repay your loan or loans gradually once you are working and earning above a certain amount (for students starting their course after 1 August 2023 the repayment threshold is £25,000). Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.

Find out more about repaying your student loan. Link opens in a new window

Your career

We have a dedicated careers consultant who can support you with your career choices. We offer one-to-one appointments and workshops to help you find a career path, internship or work placement.

Graduates from these courses are working in:

• Government and politics (national, regional and international)
• Public affairs
• Charity and campaigning
• Public relations
• Banking and finance
• Recruitment
• Hospitality
• Advertising

Our graduates have gone on to work for employers such as:

• United Nations
• BBC Television
• Houses of Parliament
• OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
• Lloyds Banking Group
• Human Rights Watch

Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. In addition, PAIS students have access to guest lecturers, careers information and placement support. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Your future awaits - the many things you can do after your degree in the PAIS department
• Careers in Government and Politics
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Careers Q&A sessions
• Assessment Centres and Interviews: an overview of what to expect for PAIS students

Find out more about careers support at Warwick .

Politics and International Studies at Warwick

Join an innovative, creative and passionate department with a lively and interactive culture. Stretch and challenge yourself with the support of friendly staff and your peers.

Find out more about us on our website Link opens in a new window

Our courses

• Global Politics with Integrated Year Abroad in Brussels
• Politics (BA)
• Politics and International Studies (BA)
• Politics and International Studies with Chinese (BA)
• Politics and Sociology (BA)
• Politics, International Studies and French (BA)
• Politics, International Studies and German (BA)
• Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies (BA)
• Politics, International Studies and Italian (BA)

Related degrees

• Economics, Politics and International Studies (BSc/BA)
• History and Politics (BA)
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) (BA/BSc)
• Politics, Philosophy and Law (PPL) (BA)
• Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)

Life at Warwick

Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities. A place where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. Our supportive, energising, welcoming space creates the ideal environment for forging new connections, having fun and finding inspiration.

Accommodation

• Arts, Culture and Events
• Clubs and societies
• Food and drink
• Sports and Fitness
• Wellbeing support

Keep exploring life at Warwick

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Warwick Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is key to helping you settle in quickly.

We have a range of residences for undergraduate students on campus.

Explore Warwick Accommodation

You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible new sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.

Explore our campus

We have lots of cafés, restaurants and shops on campus. You can enjoy great quality food and drink, with plenty of choice for all tastes and budgets. There is a convenience store on central campus, as well as two supermarkets and a small shopping centre in the nearby Cannon Park Retail Park. Several of them offer delivery services to help you stay stocked up.

And don't miss our regular food market day on the Piazza with tempting, fresh and delicious street food. Soak up the atmosphere and try something new, with mouth-watering food for all tastes.

Explore food and shops

Explore Students' Union venues

We currently have more than 300 student-run societies.

So whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.

Or you could try something new, or even form your own society.

Explore our societies

Sports and fitness

Staying active at Warwick is no sweat, thanks to our amazing new Sports and Wellness Hub, indoor and outdoor tennis centre, 60 acres of sports pitches, and more than 60 sports clubs.

Whether you want to compete, relax or just have fun, you can achieve your fitness goals.

Explore sports at Warwick

Studying on campus

Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs.

You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.

• The Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas.
• The University Library provides access to over one million printed works and tens of thousands of electronic journals
• Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces.

Studying at Warwick

Travel and local area

Our campus is in Coventry, a modern city with high street shops, restaurants, nightclubs and bars sitting alongside medieval monuments. The Warwickshire towns of Leamington Spa and Kenilworth are also nearby.

The University is close to major road, rail and air links. London is just an hour by direct train from Coventry, with Birmingham a 20-minute trip. Birmingham International Airport is nearby (a 20-minute drive).

Travelling from campus

Wellbeing support and faith provision

Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.

Our Chaplaincy is home to Chaplains from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. We provide regular services for all Christian denominations and a Shabbat meal every Friday for our Jewish students. There is also an Islamic prayer hall, halal kitchen and ablution facilities.

Student support

How to apply

Learn more about our application process.

Key dates for your application to Warwick.

Writing your personal statement

Make an impression and demonstrate your passion for your course.

After you've applied

Find out how we process your application.

Our Admission Statement

Read Warwick's Admission Statement

Useful links

• Access to Warwick degrees
• Contextual Offers
• Entry requirements
• Exemption from part of a degree
• Guidance for parents and carers
• International applicants
• Returners to study
• Students with disabilities
• Younger applicants

3 ways to connect

Join us at a live event. You can ask about courses, applying to Warwick, life at Warwick, visas and immigration, and more.

See event calendar Link opens in a new window

Warwick Experience

Take a virtual, student-led campus tour. Then join an interactive panel session, where you can hear from and chat to our current students and staff.

Book a tour Link opens in a new window

Student blogs

Explore our student blogs in Unibuddy. You can read about campus life from students themselves, and register to post questions directly to students.

Ask a student Link opens in a new window

Explore campus with our virtual tour

Our 360 tour lets you:

• Watch student videos
• View 360 photography and drone footage
• Learn about facilities and landmarks

Explore our campus virtually through our 360 campus tour now

Come to an Open Day

Don’t just take it from us, come and see for yourself what Warwick is all about. Whether it's a virtual visit or in-person, our University Open Days give you the chance to meet staff and students, visit academic departments, tour the campus and get a real feel for life at Warwick.

Open Days at Warwick

Sign up for updates

Discover more about our courses and campus life with our helpful information and timely reminders.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

About Warwick

Find out more about life at Warwick including:

Open days and online events

Sign up for emails.

Register to take part in our next Open Day

Page updates

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history .

9th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2024) Link opens in a new window

67th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024) Link opens in a new window

6th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employers Link opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2025 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

• Personal statement advice: politics

Applying to university

• Getting started
• UCAS Tariff points
• Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
• Amendments to the Tariff consultation
• Offer rate calculator
• How to use the offer rate calculator
• Understanding historical entry grades data
• Admissions tests
• Deferred entry
• Personal statement advice and example: computer science
• Personal statement advice: English
• Personal statement advice: Midwifery
• Personal statement advice: animal science
• Personal statement advice: biology
• Personal statement advice: business and management
• Personal statement advice: chemistry
• Personal statement advice: dance
• Personal statement advice: dentistry
• Personal statement advice: drama
• Personal statement advice: economics
• Personal statement advice: engineering
• Personal statement advice: geography
• Personal statement advice: history
• Personal statement advice: law
• Personal statement advice: maths
• Personal statement advice: media studies and journalism
• Personal statement advice: medicine
• Personal statement advice: modern languages
• Personal statement advice: music
• Personal statement advice: nursing
• Personal statement advice: pharmacy
• Personal statement advice: physiotherapy
• Personal statement advice: psychology
• Personal statement advice: social work
• Personal statement advice: sociology
• Personal statement advice: sports science
• Personal statement advice: statistics
• Personal statement advice: teacher training and education
• Personal statement advice: veterinary medicine
• Personal statement: finance and accounting
• Filling in your application
• Staying safe online
• How to write a personal statement that works for multiple courses
• How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement
• Fraud and similarity
• How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber
• How to end your personal statement
• Introducing the personal statement tool
• Personal statement dos and don'ts
• What to include in a personal statement
• Using AI and ChatGPT to help you with your personal statement
• Using your personal statement beyond a university application
• Carers, estranged students, refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain
• Personal statement guides
• References for mature students

Politics: less can be more

Demonstrating your understanding of and interest in studying politics is a key way of impressing tutors:

‘The most persuasive statements are those that are clearly written and which get straight to the point. Less is often more. I simply want it made clear to me that an applicant is academically interested in studying the subject at university, that they’ve done their homework, and have a sense of what the academic study of politics is actually about… that it’s not just current affairs.

The University of Bristol helpfully outlines what tutors are looking for in politics applicants on its website – you need to show evidence of:

• your engagement with the subject beyond the A level (or equivalent) syllabus
• what it is that specifically and explicitly enthuses you about the debates you engage with, the books you read, and the ideas you discuss

They would also be very interested in your reflections on any relevant volunteering or campaigning you might have done, but it’s you as an individual and your intellectual engagement with ideas that they most want to get a feel for. There's no model answer – it just needs to be unique to you. Or one other way you might stand out, in Dr Allen's view, is by speaking to an admissions tutor at an open day and following it up with an email exchange.

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How Do We Turn Down the Heat in U.S. Politics?

Whether you’re on social media, at the water cooler at work, or at a neighborhood barbecue, it seems every American is sticking to their guns on gun control.

The 333 million people who live in the United States own 393 million firearms —more guns than the other top 25 countries combined. Perhaps as a result, nearly one-third of the world’s public mass shootings happen in the U.S. These opposing realities are backed by well-entrenched beliefs around guns and why “the other side” is wrong.

So, how do we break the cycle of partisan animosity around guns to actually end mass shootings? Scientists at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have an approach worth considering: balanced pragmatism .

How to sound reasonable

Computational social scientist Curtis Puryear and social psychologist Kurt Gray developed and tested a strategy for presenting political views that fosters cross-partisan respect. Based on research on wisdom and a real-world practitioner intervention, balanced pragmatism combines two aspects of “wise reasoning”: balancing multiple interests and seeking pragmatic solutions.

The paper includes a series of eight experiments with more than 3,500 participants. Several experiments found that participants respected political elites across the aisle more when they saw them deploying balanced pragmatism versus other forms of messaging (such as just reading their Wikipedia bio or a logical analysis). The rest of the experiments got into more specifics of how this plays out in divisive issues like guns and immigration.

Puryear and Gray’s research was instigated by a nonprofit organization that bridges divides on college campuses called BridgeUSA. They had a collection of videos of politicians called “Decision Point,” where politicians had the opportunity to think through hypothetical scenarios that were nonpartisan and often complicated. Gray explains:

We thought that there was something in those videos that would also reveal some kind of cue to how to have conversations and to couch your arguments in a way that might foster respect from the other side. And so that was the nucleus, that was the seed. And then we wondered, well, what is in it? And can we isolate that? Can we run a centrifuge on these videos, separate it out and figure out what that thing is? We eventually figured out that that thing was balanced pragmatism.

When the researchers viewed the videos, they saw links between the kind of reasoning used by politicians and emerging research on the psychology of wisdom. They thought that the Decision Point series nudged politicians to demonstrate “wise reasoning.”

Wisdom is rooted in motivations to make moral decisions that also require metacognitive processes—like perspective taking and attention to context—and recent work shows people who engage in wise reasoning also hold more positive attitudes toward ideological opposing groups. They thought that demonstrating wisdom in discussions about political issues could help Americans from the opposing party perceive politicians as more moral and rational, thereby fostering respect and willingness to engage.

Several experiments in Puryear and Gray’s paper were directly inspired by the Decision Point videos and focused on shifting perceptions of politicians known to be targeted with partisan hatred—Congress members of the opposing party. For example, in one video, politicians were told they have been selected for the president’s transition team and they just found out someone else on the team criticized the president in the past—what would they do? The researchers tested whether participants watching these politicians using balanced pragmatism to solve political dilemmas could build cross-partisan respect and engagement more than other typical presentations of politicians.

In fact, when the politicians responded to various scenarios on video using balanced pragmatism, participants reported seeing them as very thoughtful and reasonable, including those on the other side. Even watching political opponents balance multiple perspectives in hypothetical dilemmas—where being balanced does not entail being receptive to opposing views on contentious political conversations—helps them seem more moral, rational, intelligent, and authentic, according to Gray. This suggests that watching political elites employ balanced pragmatism to solve dilemmas can increase Americans’ willingness to respectfully engage with each other. Another study moved beyond these videos to test whether political elites could signal balanced pragmatism and increase cross-partisan respect through short quotes. It found that simply having politicians endorse balanced pragmatism in short quotes still improved people’s willingness to engage with them among both partisans and independents—even compared to when politicians endorsed respect generally. Yet another study tested whether balance and pragmatism predicted respect for politicians, using a sample of 120 posts on social media from current members of the U.S. Congress. This experiment found that in real-world tweets from political leaders discussing divisive issues, perceived balance is an especially strong predictor of cross-partisan respect.

For example, participants in the study gave the following tweet a high score for balance, pragmatism, respect, and willingness to engage with the politician across the aisle: “Over the past few months, I’ve been working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce legislation that builds on the successes of the Inflation Reduction Act by further advancing innovative clean energy solutions.” Meanwhile,  this tweet received the lowest score on respect and willingness to engage: “Proud to stand with everyone who came to Washington, DC today to march for life! Make no mistake: The new House Republican Majority is with you in this fight to protect innocent life.”

The remaining studies by Puryear and Gray tested whether balanced pragmatism could also foster cross-partisan respect in discussions about contentious issues such as immigration. Comments employing balanced pragmatism (vs. logical analyses) that were crafted by the researchers and ordinary Americans increased opponents’ willingness to engage respectfully with commenters. As the researchers explain:

Strikingly, participants were as willing to have a hypothetical conversation with an opponent who employed balanced pragmatism as they were commenters who agreed with them. Though participants found it difficult to employ balanced pragmatism, doing so successfully substantially increased opponents’ willingness to respect and engage with them.

Balancing multiple points of view

Combined, these results suggested that both balance and pragmatism can play important roles in perceptions of political leaders. The paper explains how appearing moral, focusing on rational solutions over logical analysis, and sharing personal experiences of harm can often lead to respect and connection.

Some strategies to seem moral and rational are obvious, like avoiding personal attacks and not falsely caricaturing the other side. Drawing from existing studies on “wisdom” that involve considering others’ perspectives and focusing on pragmatic solutions, Puryear and Gray outlined a scalable strategy for presenting one’s views that encourages opponents to engage respectfully and can improve cross-partisan discussions.

In the paper, the researchers explain that logical analyses and strong arguments can make us see someone as competent, which is a trait we value in leaders and friends—but people also want leaders who understand their constituents, care about their concerns, and have the practical knowledge to find solutions. Those are the qualities the researchers believe balanced and pragmatic leaders have.

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This paper provides some support for what many of us already believe—that America isn’t as divided as it seems, and most Americans want to come up with pragmatic solutions to live together. It concludes that presenting ourselves with “balanced pragmatism” can actually lead to respectful conversations across the aisle and eventually solutions.

“If I’m Republican and I’m watching a Democrat go through this, I’m thinking, this Democrat is pretty reasonable,” says Kurt Gray, who directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He continues:

Someone listening to me who is on the fence is going to be more likely to engage with me and see me as reasonable. Maybe we are too far away in terms of our assumptions about the world. Even then it models a kind of discourse; they are more likely to say, “Maybe I’ll vote for this person or have a conversation with this person.”

Gray explains that when it comes to morality, we’re often not thinking about pragmatic solutions to disagreements or challenges. “We just want to rail against the other side and their evilness. And so I think the good news is this can be taught,” says Gray. 

The balance part involves acknowledging that there are other perspectives on the issue and that those other perspectives are valid. For example, if we’re talking about guns, recognizing that there are some valid arguments for gun ownership and gun rights. And then the pragmatism part is that regardless of our positions, we still need to work together to find a solution to a problem such as mass shootings.

Bridging deeply held beliefs

At the Deepest Beliefs Lab, Gray uses interdisciplinary methods to study how to bridge different moral divides. “I’m interested in the things that people care about and groups live and die for that are ultimately invisible.”

According to Gray, the most important things to humans are things you can’t see, such as justice, evil, and God.

The politicians we might deem “evil”—those who are most partisan or aggressive against opponents—“try not to do balanced pragmatism,” says Gray. He continues:

Because [balanced pragmatism] is inherently pluralistic, it brings people together. You need to be a pluralist to want to use this idea. Ultimately, some people do not see equal states, they see one as dominating, one as controlling, one is even destroying the other one. If you have that belief this is not a tool you want to use. That’ll just be toxic to America.

As the researchers explain in their paper, “Taking advantage of every opportunity to help people across the aisle see our own side’s capacity for wisdom may be vital to combating partisan animosity.”

Ultimately, balance is about recognizing that someone else can feel threatened or traumatized on issues like guns or abortion, and their concern stems from a desire to prevent further harm. As Gray explains:

The one thing we do know from our research is that sharing these stories of trauma or suffering as related to the issue are one way to build respect because they make you seem rational. Having a deep personal experience I can still recognize that someone else had a different deep experience. And we can all have a story, personally or otherwise, that’s about this kind of trauma on one side of the issue. And then the pragmatic issue is usually about preventing additional trauma.

This work shows how both political elites and ordinary Americans can employ this strategy to build cross-partisan respect and help reverse trends in partisan animosity. For people and organizations keen on conversing across the aisle or building solutions, building practices, strategies, and habits around balanced pragmatism can be key.

“Being balanced and pragmatic takes effort,” Puryear says. “But it is like building any other habit: changing how we approach politics takes commitment and practice. We can each take it upon ourselves to do that.”

About the Author

Sahar Habib Ghazi

Sahar Habib Ghazi is a multimedia journalist and community-builder who has reported deeply on climate justice, recently as South Asia editor for VICE World News. Sahar is committed to building inclusive, safe, and hopeful online spaces that amplify the most underrepresented communities and issues.

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Trump’s New Rival May Bring Out His Harshest Instincts

After years planning to face President Biden, Donald J. Trump and his team will be campaigning against Kamala Harris. He has attacked female rivals and critics in brutal and personal terms.

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By Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan

• Published July 23, 2024 Updated July 26, 2024

Follow the latest news about the 2024 election, and the Trump and Harris campaigns.

Donald J. Trump and his political team spent nearly two years tailoring a campaign to defeat an old white male president who is conspicuously frail and who most Americans had told pollsters they doubted could handle another four-year term.

Suddenly, Mr. Trump faces a starkly different opponent: a vice president who is a Black woman, nearly 20 years younger, and who brings her own strengths and weaknesses but who adds new uncertainty into what had been a remarkably static race.

Allies of Vice President Kamala Harris have already telegraphed that she will run a campaign framed around a “prosecutor versus felon” theme, highlighting her experience as a prosecutor and underscoring the fact that Mr. Trump has been indicted in multiple jurisdictions and convicted of 34 felonies.

The prosecutor-versus-felon approach may appeal to undecided voters who had been sour on both Mr. Trump and President Biden. It may also goad Mr. Trump, who reacts strongly to criticism, into resurrecting the language he has used against other Black female prosecutors, such as Letitia James in New York and Fani Willis in Georgia, both of whom he has called “racist” and attacked in personal terms.

In a preview of what’s to come, Ms. Harris made the prosecutor’s attack line explicit during an appearance on Monday, describing her past as the district attorney of San Francisco and the attorney general of California.

“In those roles I took on perpetrators of all kinds: Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type,” she said.

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Trump urges unity after assassination attempt while proposing sweeping populist agenda in RNC finale

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Follow AP’s live coverage of the 2024 presidential race.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump , somber and bandaged, accepted the GOP presidential nomination on Thursday at the Republican National Convention in a speech that described in detail the assassination attempt that could have ended his life just five days earlier before laying out a sweeping populist agenda , particularly on immigration.

The 78-year-old former president, known best for his bombast and aggressive rhetoric, began his acceptance speech with a softer and deeply personal message that drew directly from his brush with death. Moment by moment, the crowd listening in silence, Trump described standing onstage in Butler, Pennsylvania, with his head turned to look at a chart on display when he felt something hit his ear. He raised his hand to his head and saw immediately that it was covered in blood.

“If I had not moved my head at that very last instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark,” Trump said. “And I would not be here tonight. We would not be together.”

Trump’s address, the longest convention speech in modern history at just under 93 minutes, marked the climax and conclusion of a massive four-day Republican pep rally that drew thousands of conservative activists and elected officials to swing-state Wisconsin as voters weigh an election that currently features two deeply unpopular candidates . Sensing political opportunity in the wake of his near-death experience, the often bombastic Republican leader embraced a new tone he hopes will help generate even more momentum in an election that appears to be shifting in his favor.

“The discord and division in our society must be healed. We must heal it quickly. As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny. We rise together. Or we fall apart,” Trump said, wearing a large white bandage on his right ear, as he has all week, to cover a wound he sustained in the Saturday shooting . “I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America.”

While he spoke in a gentler tone than at his usual rallies, Trump also outlined an agenda led by what he promises would be the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. He repeatedly accused people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally of staging an “invasion.” Additionally, he teased new tariffs on trade and an “America first” foreign policy.

Trump also falsely suggested Democrats had cheated during the 2020 election he lost — despite a raft of federal and state investigations proving there was no systemic fraud — and suggested “we must not criminalize dissent or demonize political disagreement,” even as he has long called for prosecutions of his opponents.

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He did not mention abortion rights, an issue that has bedeviled Republicans ever since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federally guaranteed right to abortion two years ago. Trump nominated three of the six justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. Trump at his rallies often takes credit for Roe being overturned and argues states should have the right to institute their own abortion laws.

Nor did he mention the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in which Trump supporters tried to stop the certification of his loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has long referred to the people jailed for the riot as “hostages.”

Indeed, Trump barely mentioned Biden, often referring only to the “current administration.”

“It was Donald Trump who destroyed our economy, ripped away rights, and failed middle class families,” said Jen O’Malley Dillon, the Biden campaign chair, in a statement after the speech. “Now he pursues the presidency with an even more extreme vision for where he wants to take this country.”

The RNC ends at an uncertain moment in the race

With less than four months to go in the contest, major changes in the race are possible, if not likely.

Trump’s appearance came as Biden, the 81-year-old Democratic incumbent , clings to his party’s presumptive nomination in the face of unrelenting pressure from key congressional allies, donors and even former President Barack Obama, who fear he may be unable to win reelection after his disastrous debate.

Long pressed by allies to campaign more vigorously, Biden is instead in isolation at his beach home in Delaware after having been diagnosed with COVID-19 .

Hours before the balloons were scheduled to rain down on Trump and his family inside the convention hall, Biden deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks appeared nearby in Milwaukee and insisted over and over that Biden would not step aside.

“I do not want to be rude, but I don’t know how many more times I can answer that,” Fulks told reporters. “There are no plans being made to replace Biden on the ballot.”

Strength on the program

Thursday’s RNC program seemed designed to project strength and masculinity in an implicit rebuke of Biden.

Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White called Trump “a real American bad ass.” Kid Rock performed a song with the chorus, “Fight, fight!,” echoing the word Trump mouthed on stage in Pennsylvania as Secret Service agents surrounded him. And wrestling icon Hulk Hogan described the former president as “an American hero.”

Hogan drew a raucous response when, standing on the main stage, he ripped off his shirt to reveal a red “Make America Great Again” shirt.

“As an entertainer, I try to stay out of politics,” Hogan said as he briefly broke character. “I can no longer stay silent.”

Like many speakers during the convention, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested that recent events were divinely inspired and that he wondered “if something bigger is going on.”

“I think it changed him,” Carlson said of the shooting, praising Trump for not lashing out in anger afterward.

“He did his best to bring the country together,” Carlson added. “This is the most responsible, unifying behavior from a leader I’ve ever seen.”

Former first lady Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump, the president’s elder daughter and former senior adviser, joined Trump in the convention hall ahead of his speech, making their first appearances there. Neither woman spoke.

At nearly 93 minutes, the former president’s speech eclipsed the 74 minutes for which he spoke eight years ago, according to the American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Republicans leave their convention united

The convention has showcased a Republican Party reshaped by Trump since he shocked the GOP establishment and won over the party’s grassroots on his way to the party’s 2016 nomination. Rivals Trump has vanquished — including Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — put aside their past criticisms and gave him their unqualified support.

Even his vice presidential pick, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trump’s choice to carry his movement into the next generation, was once a fierce critic who suggested in a private message since made public that Trump could be “America’s Hitler.”

Security was a major focus in Milwaukee in the wake of Trump’s near-assassination. But after nearly four full days, there were no serious incidents inside the convention hall or the large security perimeter that surrounded it.

The Secret Service, backed by hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the nation, had a large and visible presence. And during Trump’s appearances each night, he was surrounded by a wall of protective agents wherever he went.

Meanwhile, Trump and his campaign have not released information about his injury or the treatment he received. The former president on Thursday described his story of surviving the attack — and vowed he would not talk about it again.

“I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” Trump told the packed convention hall. The crowd of thousands, which was listening in silence, shouted back, “Yes, you are.”

Associated Press reporters Michelle L. Price, Farnoush Amiri and Adriana Gomez Licon in Milwaukee and Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this report.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024 .

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Statement From U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle

I would like to start by extending my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday, as well as those who were injured during this senseless act of violence.

Secret Service personnel on the ground moved quickly during the incident, with our counter sniper team neutralizing the shooter and our agents implementing protective measures to ensure the safety of former president Donald Trump. 

Since the shooting, I have been in constant contact with Secret Service personnel in Pennsylvania who worked to maintain the integrity of the crime scene until the FBI assumed its role as the lead investigating agency into the assassination attempt. I have also been coordinating with the protective detail for former President Trump and have briefed President Biden on the details of the incident.   

The Secret Service is working with all involved Federal, state and local agencies to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again. We understand the importance of the independent review announced by President Biden yesterday and will participate fully. We will also work with the appropriate Congressional committees on any oversight action.

The incident in Pennsylvania has understandably led to questions about potential updates or changes to the security for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The U.S. Secret Service, in conjunction with our Federal, state and local law enforcement and public safety partners, designs operational security plans for National Special Security Events (NSSE) to be dynamic in order to respond to a kinetic security environment and the most up-to-date intelligence from our partners.

I am confident in the security plan our Secret Service RNC coordinator and our partners have put in place, which we have reviewed and strengthened in the wake of Saturday’s shooting. The security plans for National Special Security Events are designed to be flexible. As the conventions progress, and in accordance with the direction of the President, the Secret Service will continuously adapt our operations as necessary in order to ensure the highest level of safety and security for convention attendees, volunteers and the City of Milwaukee. In addition to the additional security enhancements we provided former President Trump's detail in June, we have also implemented changes to his security detail since Saturday to ensure his continued protection for the convention and the remainder of the campaign. 

The Secret Service is tasked with the tremendous responsibility of protecting the current and former leaders of our democracy. It is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously, and I am committed to fulfilling that mission.  

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• Sociology personal statements

Personal Statement:Sociology 1

Sociology personal statement.

I have always been passionately interested in society's influence on our actions and the structure of society, as these issues are relevant to everyone in everyday life, and Sociology is therefore a subject that affects me on a personal level. I have been able to explore the structure of society and the role of the individual more deeply and rigorously through my Sociology A-level course, which I love studying, and reading more about in the 'Sociology Review', in newspapers, sociological literature such as 'Street Corner Society and by watching 'Newsnight'. It is a subject that has broadened my horizons, and made me question the ways in which I view society, particularly in terms of whether there is class conflict between the bourgeoisie and proletariat or a consensus in society, in the key debate between Functionalism and Marxism. I am extremely intrigued by studying and debating sociological and political perspectives and ideologies, and particularly enjoy researching and evaluating key sociological issues through the essays we write in class

I enjoy travelling, and have visited the vastly different cultures of Egypt, Crete, Florida and France. Through this I have become aware of social injustices in the world. This is why I have decided to join Voluntary Services Oversees for my Gap Year Project. Taking a year out will help me develop on a personal level, and enable me to develop my interpersonal skills and my communication skills, which are very important. In addition, developing these skills, I conducted work experience at a solicitor's office, where I was found to be 'extremely helpful, adaptable, and a joy have to have in the office'. I enjoy working with children, and I have volunteered at a local Primary School for three weeks last year, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I baby-sit regularly. I love charities, and one of my biggest projects will be next year when I run the Flora London Marathon in Easter 2003

Another one of my passions is also music. I have taken part in many musicals, for example, taking the lead role in "Fame," and I am grade 8 standard on the violin, hoping to take a diploma next year

Other activities that fill my free time include reading, particularly modern novels - my favourite authors being Jeanette Winterson and Ian McEwan, due to Winterson's abstract and thought-provoking style, as well as her interesting ideals of a world where imagination, freedom and creativity are vital, where McEwan's fascinating novels study the psychology of the intricately created characters. Other activities that fill my spare time include a range of sports. I play football for Peterborough United under-19's, I regularly play golf to a handicap of 3, and I also play hockey for the school team

Most of all, by studying sociology at university I hope to gain a more tolerant attitude to the people around me, and understand better the dynamics of society.

General comments

This is a very waffley statement which doesn't particularly address the applicants desire to study sociology at university. There are many occasions where sociology could have been discussed in detail, and the applicant relies heavily upon their extra curricular activities to pad out the application rather than spending the majority of the statement saying why they wish to study sociology. The applicant has undertaken many activities which are particularly interesting and relevant to sociology and society, which indicates they do have an ingrained interest in this discipline but these themes are not built on in the statement.

The applicant has only used around 75% of the 4000 characters available for a personal statement on UCAS. This means the personal statement is very short, and although applicants are not obliged to use all of the space available, it is reccommended and universities will notice if the personal statement is short and wonder why this is the case. There are many ways I have mentioned for the applicant to expand on their personal statement and bring it closer to the 4000 character mark, which I feel would also improve the work.

It would have been nice for the applicant to have stated their motivations in a clearer manner in the introduction, then used these as a stepping stone to discuss their interests in sociology in more depth later on. Their A level studies of sociology could have been used more, referencing coursework, particular module topics, and independent study and research.

In general, the spelling, grammar and punctuation needs more work and it does not appear that the applicant has proof read the work out loud. This would have uncovered many of the structual and punctuation issues. The applicant needs to pay attention to spelling and their use of full stops at the end of paragraphs.

Overall, I think this statement has the potential of turning into something which could be used in applications to high ranking universities but at the moment it lacks content, depth and structure. The applicant needs to ensure that they discuss their interest in the field of sociology for at least two thirds of the statement and therefore loose some of the extra curricular activities in place of a discussion of their desire to study at university. This can be done by constantly following up statements by saying  why  this particular thing is important, relevant or interesting.

Comments on the statement

I have always been passionately interested  This is very cliche and an unneeded exageration - The applicant will not have always have been interested in this from birth.  in society's influence on our actions and the structure of society,  it would have been good to give an example here  as these issues are relevant to everyone in everyday life, and Sociology is therefore a subject that affects me on a personal level.  This is a very short introduction, and the applicant needs to expand on why sociology affects them. It is pointless just making a statement if one then does not go on to say why this is the case.   new paragraph  I have been able to explore the structure of society and the role of the individual more deeply and rigorously through my Sociology A-level course, which I love studying, and reading more about in the 'Sociology Review', in newspapers, sociological literature such as 'Street Corner Society and by watching 'Newsnight'.  This is a very long list, and the applicant should select one or two of these, and say exactly what literature they have read, why it was useful, what they learnt and if they agree or disagree with the sociologist in question. As structure of society and the role of the individual have been mentioned as interests, the wider reading should reflect this fact.  It is a subject that which has broadened my horizons, and made me question the ways in which I view society, particularly in terms of whether there is class conflict between the bourgeoisie and proletariat or a consensus in society, in the key debate between Functionalism and Marxism. As the applicant has asked 'whether there is', they should follow this up by giving their opinion as to whether or not there is a class conflict.  Again, this could have taken into account wider reading or parts of the A level curriculum covered in class. Marx and Functionalism appear to be very name dropped here, without actually mentioning anything about them. The PS could be improved by again expanding on this, and mentioning ideas and what reading (if any) has been done.  I am extremely intrigued by studying and debating sociological and political perspectives and ideologies,  Again, the applicant should say which ones in particular and why- are we discussing something new, or still discussing Marxist ideology?  and particularly enjoy researching and evaluating key sociological issues through the essays we write in class.  full stop added here   This would have been an appropriate time to mention coursework or other research in the field undertaken by the applicant.

I enjoy travelling, and have visited the vastly different cultures of Egypt, Crete, Florida and France.  This list reads oddly because two are countries and two are regions of a country, it would be better if the applicant chose one or the other and kept the list constant.  Through this I have become aware of social injustices in the world.  The applicant needs to mention which social injustices in particular, as this statement means very little at the moment.  This is why I have decided to join Voluntary Services Oversees  spelling correction: overseas  for my Gap Year Project. gap year project does not need capital letters. Taking a year out will help me develop on a personal level,  It will not help to develop the applicant on a non personal level, so this is non sensical!  and enable me to develop my interpersonal skills and my communication skills, which are very important.  I feel the applicant could do a lot more justice to their VSO project by interlinking it much more with sociology and their application, rather then simply mentioning improved communication skills. It would have been good for there to have been very strong links to sociology here, in terms of what the applicant will experience when they are abroad.  In addition, developing these skills, I conducted work experience at a solicitor's office, where I was found to be 'extremely helpful, adaptable, and a joy have to have in the office'.  A PS is not the place for quoting other people, this should be done in the reference. The university does not care what people in the office thought of the applicant, they care about what the applicant thought of the experience. These are two different things.  I enjoy working with children, and I have volunteered at a local Primary School for three weeks last year, there is a problem with tense here which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I baby-sit regularly. I love charities,  this doesn't really make sense, and the applicant needs to expand on why they love charities  and one of my biggest projects will be next year when I run the Flora London Marathon in Easter 2003. full stop added  All of these things should be related in some way to sociology rather than just being listed as interests.

Another one of my passions is also delete also, does not make sense music. I have taken part in many musicals, for example, taking the lead role in "Fame," and I am grade 8 standard on the violin, hoping to take a diploma next year. full stop added, and there are several problems with punctuation and tense.  Again, the applicant should attempt to discuss these in more detail with sociology as a focus.

Other activities that fill my free time include reading, particularly modern novels - my favourite authors being Jeanette Winterson and Ian McEwan, due to Winterson's abstract and thought-provoking style, as well as her interesting ideals of a world where imagination, freedom and creativity are vital, where McEwan's fascinating novels study the psychology of the intricately created characters. Issues with tense and structure here.  This reads too much like an essay, and as though the application is for English Literature. It is fine to mention Literature, but it would have been nice to have seen the applicant make links to society. Some of McEwan's books would have done this appropriately  Other activities that fill my spare time the applicants spare time has been filled twice now include a range of sports. I play football for Peterborough United under-19's, I regularly play golf to a handicap of 3, and I also play hockey for the school team. full stop added

Most of all, by studying sociology at university I hope to gain a more tolerant attitude to the people around me, and understand better the dynamics of society.  This is a short conclusion which says very little about the applicant and their motives. The applicant could become more tolerant about people around them without undertaking the academic study of sociology. The conclusion should tie together the previous themes and ideas discussed in a final summary without bringing in any new information. Again, there are issues with the structure of the sentence.

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'Dumb' and a 'DEI' candidate: Trump and allies attack Kamala Harris based on her race, gender

When President Joe Biden announced he was dropping his re-election bid and throwing his support to his vice president, Kamala Harris, the dynamics of the entire presidential race radically shifted. 

No longer was it two white men born in the 1940s facing off — again — for who should return to the White House. Instead, it’s between Trump, a man who is 78, against Harris, who is 59 and would make history as the first woman and first woman of color to be president if she is elected. 

And within a day, Harris was already facing attacks that centered on her race and gender, making it clear that while Republicans may try to tie her to some of Biden’s policies, she will face criticisms he never did.

It is some of the same playbook that Trump and his allies ran the last time a woman was on top of a major-party ticket. In 2016, Hillary Clinton’s qualifications, look and voice were also scrutinized. But this time, Republicans are also going after the background of Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father. 

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., called Harris a “ DEI vice president ” on social media, referring to workplace policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion that conservatives have maligned. 

“When you go down that route, you take mediocrity , and that’s what they have right now,” Burchett told CNN. 

Sebastian Gorka, a host on the conservative network Newsmax who served in the Trump administration, said Harris was going to be the nominee “ because she’s female and her skin color is the correct DEI color.” He also said she “cackles like an insane woman.”

Fox News host Jesse Watters said Harris secured Hillary Clinton’s endorsement, “ obviously, because she’s a woman .”

And Richard Grenell, U.S. ambassador to Germany in the Trump administration, told NBC News that Harris was part of a “revolving door of DEI appointments from the straight white male governor, who hands out appointments to keep different groups happy and at bay,” referring to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat. “Kamala Harris is a product of this whole system. She’s very far left, unvetted and untested.”

Before she became vice president, Harris won two terms as a district attorney in California and was elected three times statewide as attorney general and then U.S. senator. Trump, who had a successful career in real estate and entertainment, had no government experience before he became president.

In 2016, Trump repeatedly accused Clinton of playing the “ woman’s card ” to get where she is, going after her “strength” and “stamina” and mocking her voice. 

“ She’s got nothing else going on ,” he said of his opponent, who had been a senator from New York and secretary of state. “And frankly, if Hillary Clinton were a man, I don’t think she’d get 5% of the vote.”

“If she didn’t play the woman’s card she would have no chance, I mean zero, of winning,” he said on another occasion. 

“The only thing she’s got going is the fact that she’s a woman ,” Trump also said in an interview with NBC’s “Today” show.

Trump brought out a “card” attack against Harris on Tuesday, but this time, it was the “race card.”

On a call hosted by the Republican National Committee, Trump said Harris “played the race card on a level you rarely see” during the Democratic primary debates with Biden in the 2020 election. 

“It’s a well-worn playbook for him,” said Democratic strategist Karen Finney, who was a spokesperson for Clinton’s 2016 campaign. “But the reality is we also know that people wouldn’t use the playbook if it didn’t work to some degree.”

“Even in 2016, there were so many times it was so over the top and so disgusting. But I think coming against Kamala Harris, and perhaps it will be both race and gender ... maybe the combination of both is what will stand out to people,” she added. “And I think the country is changing, and it’s going to be more blatant to people how disgusting and inappropriate it is.”

In a statement, Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Harris was “just as weak, failed and incompetent as Joe Biden — and she’s also dangerously liberal.”

“A vote for Kamala is a vote for more crime, inflation, open borders, high gas prices, and war around the world, and our team will make sure every American knows it,” she added. 

Going after DEI policies wasn’t yet in vogue in 2016, but the current criticism echoes the attacks that Clinton wasn’t qualified enough. On Monday, the New York Post reported that Trump told it in an interview that Harris was “vicious” and “dumb.”  

On Monday, Trump called Harris “ Dumb as a Rock ” on social media, and for years, he has consistently mispronounced her first name (as did many other speakers at last week’s Republican National Convention).  

In 2016, Trump also said Clinton didn’t have “ the look ” to be president — but she wasn’t the only one to face those insults. He also mocked his primary opponent Carly Fiorina for having a “ face ” that voters wouldn’t want to choose.

Trump has long insulted his opponents, including men. But the insults directed at Clinton echoed attacks that women in positions have power have long faced, questioning their qualifications, strength and appearance. 

Defending Fiorina — whom he had named as his running mate, even though he hadn't won the GOP presidential nomination — Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said at the time: “Donald has a problem with strong women . This is not subtle; it’s not complicated.” 

Cruz, another person who once had an acrimonious relationship with Trump after he ran against him in the 2016 primaries, has since put aside those differences and is backing him this time around. 

In a New York Times op-ed Tuesday, Clinton addressed the " sexism and double standards " that "strong women candidates" face in politics.

"I’ve been called a witch, a 'nasty woman' and much worse. I was even burned in effigy. As a candidate, I sometimes shied away from talking about making history. I wasn’t sure voters were ready for that. And I wasn’t running to break a barrier; I was running because I thought I was the most qualified to do the job," she wrote.

"Ms. Harris will face unique additional challenges as the first Black and South Asian woman to be at the top of a major party’s ticket. That’s real, but we shouldn’t be afraid. It is a trap to believe that progress is impossible," Clinton added.

Harris has also already faced comments centered on her race and gender from Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. In 2020, Trump promoted the baseless “birther” conspiracy theory that Harris — who was born in the U.S. — isn’t eligible to be president because her parents were born in other countries. Trump has also pushed birther conspiracy theories about Cruz , former President Barack Obama and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley . 

In 2021, Vance went after Democrats who don’t have biological children of their own, calling them “ a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.” He mentioned Harris — who has two stepchildren, Cole and Ella — along with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. 

“How does it make any sense that we’ve turned our country over to people who don’t really have a direct stake in it?” he said at the time. 

His spokesperson Taylor Van Kirk told The Associated Press , “It’s well known that Senator Vance found success in life due in large part to the influence of strong female role models like his grandmother.”

Former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile said, “The most convenient playbook in American politics has always been race, and race is always going to be a driver of conversation.

“But this is no time to go back using a playbook from the 20th century," she added. “We’re in the 21st century. ... I don’t believe that the American people are interested in a conversation that will further divide and further polarize us.”

Some Republicans also quickly criticized the conservative attacks on Harris on Tuesday. 

“I disagree with DEI, but she is the vice president of the United States. She is the former U.S. senator. These congressmen saying it, they are wrong in their own instincts,” former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told NBC News on Tuesday.

Asked for comment for this article, the Harris campaign pointed to comments from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. 

“ Of course it’s not appropriate , for heaven’s sakes. What, are they just going to say if you’re not a white male, it’s a DEI candidate?” she told HuffPost on Tuesday. “I’m sorry. No.”

Amanda Terkel is politics managing editor for NBC News Digital.

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Politics and sociology personal statement example 5.

Major political game-players like the USA or Britain pride themselves on their ability to properly exercise democracy, yet their inherent inability to practise the principles that promote social equality seems to undermine this claim. Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, society has inbuilt discrimination; the recent Grenfell Tower tragedy is an example of this. Speculation into the role austerity played has called the government to answer difficult questions.

The public sector cuts throughout the area made the victims to feel as though they were regarded as second-class citizens, their safety and wellbeing disregarded. A tweet aimed at the current political climate stated 'I don't know how to explain to you that you should care about other people.' In a time where Presidents are issuing travel bans against a whole religion, refugees are dying on boats and people nearly four months on from the Grenfell tragedy are still waiting to be re-housed, it projects a powerful overview of western governments and societies. Understanding the breath and complexity of these societal injustice issues, which happen both on the world stage and at an individualistic level, is what draws me to study Politics and Sociology at university.

When selecting my A Levels, I chose subjects that I believed would enhance the skills needed for this degree. Philosophy and Ethics introduced me to the idea that I should question everything, deepen my understanding of language and it has shown me the importance of interpretations. Government and Politics has not only improved my awareness and interest in current affairs, but also helped me to form political opinions of my own.

History has allowed me to develop and widen my skills in essay writing, where I have learned to argue, analyse and evaluate. I particularly enjoyed studying American Civil History where I examined the cyclical nature of society's impact on government policy and vice versa. For example, the constitutional amendments made following the Civil War were the government's attempt to try to change societal attitudes, whereas the racial protests and movements of the late 20th century highlighted society trying to change the law.

I had the unique opportunity in 2016 to shadow an MP around Parliament. This entailed reading and discussing emails sent from constituents, attending debates and Prime Minister’s questions. It granted me access to understand how politics works at a grass-root level, and gave me insight into the running of government and opposition’s day-to-day activities. The experience was both thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding. It did however highlight the role, or lack thereof, of women in politics. I am eager to examine the changing roles of women in society and have made a start by reading Laura Bates' 'Everyday Sexism' which challenges the idea that sexism no longer exists in our modern societies.

I also frequently read publications such as The Economist, and have taken a keen interest in legal cases, where I believe individuals have been failed by both government and society. Take the controversial death of Eric Garner, an African America man who was harassed and murdered by police: a homicide that saw no indictments of any officers involved. This blatant racism seen both in the judiciary and police force highlights the need for radical reform in societal attitudes and government policy.

Throughout secondary school, I have entered in a variety of activities, ranging from captaining the 1st Lacrosse team to Maths mentoring. Being trusted with these responsibilities has improved my organisational ability, taught me how to delegate and improved my team and communication skills.

I believe I am an ambitious and motivated student who can manage both academic pursuits and extra-curricular responsibilities. My determination, combined with enthusiasm and fascination for Politics and Sociology, lead me to believe I am ready to embrace the academic challenge of university.

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Author's Comments

I received offers from Uni of Edinburgh (politics and sociology) Uni of Manchester (politics and sociology) Uni of Bristol (politics and sociology) Durham University (sociology) Uni of York (political science)

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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Sociology Personal Statement

Submitted by Beth

Learn from expert lecturers!

Apply to Sociology at Southampton! You'll analyse social structures, tackle global issues and explore theories around inequalities and community shifts.

Apply now, before you miss out!

Internationally renowned for Social Science research and teaching, Bradford's Social Sciences degrees will set you up to have a global impact.

Sociology Personal Statement

Sociology to me is a way of understanding other people's norms and behaviours within society. I am profoundly interested in how we as a society have distinguished between the superior and inferior. Perhaps Nietzsche was correct with his theory of the 'Ubermensch'. My passion to study Sociology is rooted in my travels.

Throughout the past three years I have had the privilege of being able to travel around the world visiting Europe and Asia. As I visited each continent, it became vivid that we in Britain take much for granted. I am also mindful of the poverty, inequality and mass social exclusion that divides the elite and poor.

The recognisable contrast of other societies, political and economic systems to our own in the United Kingdom are extremely apparent. Being able to explore the world and see how the different societies and cultures within live such contrasted lifestyles has made me eager to learn more. I believe through studying a Sociology course I will grasp a deeper understanding into the reasoning behind our actions and decisions as humans. I am encouraged to study this subject as it compactly meshes a number of my academic interests together, including History, Politics, Sociology and Psychology. I am eager to understand more about controversial topics within today's society such a gender, sexuality and religion.

Throughout my school life, I have acquired a number of personal skills and qualities. I played and captained my school hockey team, thus I have learnt how to become an independent leader and motivator; I have also learnt how to work as part of a team. Extending my teamwork skills I participated in Bronze Duke of Edinburgh in 2014, whilst tackling many of the obstacles on the expedition I have learned to become a more compassionate, confident and stronger individual. Victoria College have gave me a number of opportunities to broaden my knowledge of the world we live in via volunteering and work experience. Through my A Level Health and Social Care, I have been afforded the opportunity to attended a number of events such as an Intergenerational Project, Disability NI Boccia Competition, and through the course I visited the Victoria Preparatory Department once every two weeks.

Although, I took the opportunity with work experience to change the type of setting than the ones I had previously experienced via volunteering. My work experience took place in Ballybeen Women's Centre. During my placement, I learnt a range of new interesting facts and problems that take place within communities and how at the Centre they try to provide a solution. I shadowed in a variety of settings; firstly, preschool, this setting allowed me to make links with my Health and Social Care course at As Level helping me understand the mannerisms and behaviourism of the children. Secondly, I shadowed a family development worker and got an insight into how family structures work and how factors such as income, environment and society have heavily impact on people's lives. I am enjoying my chosen A Level subjects; Digital Technology is teaching me how the world has entered a digital era.

I understand how technology is expanding and becoming more assertive to our daily needs, thus most working environments depend on technology. For this reason I find it is a helpful and necessary qualification to have. Secondly, Religious Studies has elevated my knowledge on many worldviews, religions and cultures, thus I now look at the world through a different lens. Ethics has provoked my interest as it tries to understand how we morally behave as a society. Lastly, Health and Social Care has enhanced my passion to study Sociology as I move into my next academic chapter of life.

I am stimulated to apply many of my relevant experience to much of the areas of the Sociology course. I find these subjects compliment the modules within the course i.e. UK Social Policies, Criminology and Psychology alongside the volunteering opportunities at the University.

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782 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

461 courses

UWE, Bristol

490 courses

705 courses

Nottingham Trent

939 courses

Wrexham Uni

286 courses

Uni of Kent

587 courses

Uni of Reading

688 courses

Highlands & Islands

502 courses

Leeds Arts University

Uni of Huddersfield

860 courses

Uni of C.Lancashire

793 courses

Bath Spa Uni

507 courses

Uni of Essex

1361 courses

Kingston Uni

618 courses

Edge Hill Uni

396 courses

Uni of Brighton

514 courses

Uni of Hull

Uni of Portsmouth

788 courses

Anglia Ruskin Uni

864 courses

Escape Studios

Swansea Uni

1640 courses

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