Bachelor of Arts Sociology

Our Sociology course focuses on a number of broad areas and considers how they interrelate. These include:

• Key substantive sociological themes, such as: social order, deviance and power, material inequality and social class, gender, sexuality and the family, race and ethnicity, social change, education, citizenship, globalisation.
• Classical and contemporary sociological theory: the different ways of conceptualising social relations and social problems which underpin sociological thought.
• Research methods: the various means by which knowledge of societies can be produced.

The course is built around a number of core modules focusing on key sociological themes, questions and concepts.

In Year 1, you'll gain a grounding in sociological theory and methods which together foster both knowledge and understanding of the social world. You'll also explore a number of interesting contemporary questions such as deviance, inequality, social change and identity.

During Year 2 and Year 3, you'll take core modules which focus on the sociologies of families, social exclusion, gender and sexuality, and race and ethnicity. You will also be able to explore your particular interests, through selecting optional modules.

For many students, a significant part of Year 3 is the Individual Study module, which allows you to consolidate and deepen your sociological knowledge and understanding through autonomous work.

During the course, you'll have the opportunity to get involved in volunteering to gain experience that will help to build your experience and CV.

The University has general minimum entry requirements which all students must meet before they register with us.

At the point of registration onto the first year of a degree, we require you to have achieved:

• a minimum of two A Levels or
• a BTEC National Diploma or
• a combination of BTEC and A Level qualifications equivalent to two A Levels, such as a BTEC subsidiary certificate and one A Level or
• an Access to Higher Education Diploma or
• an International or Welsh Baccalaureate or
• a Higher National Diploma/Higher National Certificate or
• a minimum of two Advanced Highers from Scotland or
• the Irish Leaving Certificate or
• the European Baccalaureate Diploma or
• an equivalent overseas qualification.

For specific course entry requirements, please check the individual course pages.

Advice for mature students

If you've taken some time out of studying you may not need to meet our general minimum entrance requirements.

If you're returning to education and are able to demonstrate your commitment to studying a degree we will consider your application and take into consideration experience and any qualifications you may have.