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Faculty of Social Sciences

School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations

Start a conversation with us – you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.

Contacts for prospective students

A Top 10 university for politics

The University of Sheffield is ranked 8th in the UK, The Guardian University Guide 2026.

Top 10 in the UK for international relations

Guardian University Guide 2025

World top 100 for both sociology and politics

QS World University rankings by subject, 2025

90.4% of politics and international relations graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after leaving university

UK undergraduates, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-22

We’re proud to be one of the UK’s top providers for research and teaching. Our academics are recognised internationally for their expertise, contributing to national and international policy and working alongside organisations around the world to address society’s major challenges. 

Each brings cutting-edge research into your studies and uses their professional expertise to support your learning and development.

During your time with us, you will:

  • tackle contemporary challenges - all our courses are designed to engage with and discuss the most pressing challenges, with our research-active staff  bringing in their expertise to your learning
  • develop your own expertise - we offer a range of optional modules so you can tailor your degree to your own interests
  • receive comprehensive support - with a wide range of support available, including academic tutors and dedicated support services, you will be supported throughout your time with us and beyond
  • engage with diverse and interactive teaching - a mix of teaching formats ensures you will learn in new and innovative ways throughout your course
  • be career confident - develop key skills for the world of work and gain professional experience with placements, internships and other employability opportunities

We invest to create the right environment for you. That means outstanding facilities, study spaces and support, including 24/7 access to our online library service.

Study spaces and computers are available to offer you choice and flexibility for your study. Our five library sites give you access to over one million books and periodicals. You can access your library account and our rich digital collections from anywhere on or off campus. Other library services include study skills training to improve your grades, and tailored advice from experts in your subject.

Learning support facilities and library opening hours

A politics degree from Sheffield can set you apart from everyone else. You'll have many opportunities across all levels of your course to add valuable work experience and transferable skills to your CV.

Our degree programmes are designed so you can tailor your course to your own interests and career aspirations. They also provide a foundation to go on to work in a wide range of professional, political and administrative organisations across the world, in local, national, and international government, the charitable sector, education, the media, public relations, research and the private sector.

Our staff are based in The Wave, the home of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and across the road in Elmfield. The Wave offers the newest lecture theatres on campus, plenty of collaborative and private study spaces, and a cafe.

Elmfield features state-of-the-art seminar rooms and a communal student room to study and socialise.  Teaching may take place across both buildings, as well as other buildings on campus which are only a short walk away.

If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.

Start a conversation with us – you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.

Contacts for prospective students

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A view of the Faculty of Social Sciences building, the Wave, from the outside. A tall building with large glass windows.

We're proud to be one of the UK's leading schools for politics and international relations.

We are a research-intensive school, and research lies at the heart of everything we do. The quality of our research environment is rated top nationally, which means that our school is a vibrant, progressive and supportive place to undertake your research.

We offer an inclusive and collegial culture. You'll work closely with leading academic experts whose research is making a significant and global impression, and with students from across the world who share your commitment to the subject.

Everyone is encouraged to work together, hold lively debates and benefit from each other's different perspectives and backgrounds. When you join us, we will ensure that you have many opportunities to immerse yourself in all aspects of academic life in the school. 

Our postgraduate degrees are distinct and reflect our core strengths. Our staff have a wide range of research interests and expertise, which are brought together around four research themes:

  • International politics
  • Political economy
  • Environmental politics
  • Political theory
  • Governance and public policy

Our community of researchers is diverse and draws upon a wide range of methodologies and approaches to the discipline.

On
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