Sociology

Single Honours 

• Sociology 

• Sociology with Criminology 

Joint Honours 

• Education and Sociology 

• Sociology with Economics 

• Philosophy and Sociology 

SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI

 Alternative options 

• Foundation years Foundation years allow you to boost your skills and experience before starting a degree. It’s a great option for those who didn’t quite get the grades to directly enter their preferred university from school and pick up study skills along the way. 

• Sandwich degrees Sandwich degrees involve an additional year of study, typically taken between years two and three of an undergraduate degree. They allow you to add a significant period of work experience to your resumé and can also be used to study abroad. 

• Integrated Master’s This option enables you to gain a Master’s qualification by extending your undergraduate degree by one extra year. You’ll deepen your knowledge and obtain a postgraduate degree with relatively little extra cost to an undergraduate. 

• Degree apprenticeships A degree apprenticeship gives you a unique opportunity to earn a wage while getting on-the-job training and a higher education in sociology. Typically lasting between three and six years, you’ll accrue significant work experience while your employer covers all tuition fees. 

SOURCE: WHATUNI

Universities will likely ask for A-levels (or equivalent) in essay-based subjects like history, politics and English. If you’re looking to study a course within the human sciences branch of sociology, then an A-level in a science subject, probably biology, will be needed. Universities may also consider relevant work or volunteering experience and personal statements. 

Since human societies are so diverse, it should come as no surprise that the subject of sociology also offers a wide range of specialist areas and topics of interest. Some of these include: 

• Gender studies This specialism explores the social construction of gender identities, roles, and relations. It examines how gender intersects with other aspects of identity, such as race, class, and sexuality, and supports critical analysis and advocacy for gender equity and social justice. 

• Criminology Criminology is the study of crime and criminal behaviour. It investigates the causes and consequences of crime, as well as the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies. Criminologists look at various factors such as social, economic, and psychological influences on criminal behaviour that inform criminal justice policies. 

• Social policy Social policy refers to any government interventions aimed at addressing social issues, while promoting social welfare. It encompasses policies and programs related to healthcare, education, housing, income support, and social services, aiming to enhance social stability and economic growth. 

• Urban sociology This specialism involves looking at social dynamics within urban environments, examining issues such as urbanisation, governance, social inequality, and community development. It explores how cities shape the identity of identities and communities, and how to foster sustainable and inclusive urban development. 

• Race and ethnicity studies This area examines the social construction and implications of race and ethnicity, analysing how race and ethnicity intersect with other social factors. Topics covered include inequality, racism, racial justice, multiculturalism, and ethnic relations, and the field aims to promote greater diversity and inclusion. 

• Social research methods 

• Globalisation and development 

• People and cultures 

• Anthropology 

• Power 

• Inequality 

• Public health 

• Crime and criminology 

• Media, society and crime 

• Social policy 

Studying sociology equips you with a broad understanding of societal issues, as well as a working knowledge of the different types of society which comprise the modern globalised world. You’ll cover a wide historical context, and be able to apply social theories to modern organisations, as well as using advanced social research methods to source, analyse, and present data along with your own observations. 

You’ll learn through a mixture of coursework, research projects and fieldwork assignments, and will also pick up a variety of transferable skills along the way. These can be applied to several different work environments, and professional roles, and include: 

• Critical thinking 

• Communication 

• Research 

• Report writing 

• Data handling 

In the UK, undergraduate degree programmes are rarely accredited by professional bodies, however after graduation, you’ll be able to apply for membership of the British Sociological Association BSA or the Association for the Teaching of the Social Sciences ATSS. Degrees combined with other subjects may hold accreditation, for example, joint degrees including psychology may be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). 

If you’re interested in studying the topics covered in a sociology course, but aren’t sure if a sociology degree is the right choice for you, then you might consider looking into similar alternatives that include similar modules, and perhaps a greater coverage of the topics that you’re especially interested in. These include: 

• Education 

• Criminology 

• Economics 

• Anthropology 

• Social policy 

• Psychology 

• Political science 

A sociology degree gives you a versatile qualification that can lead to all sorts of professional pathways. Your future career roles can involve working with diverse populations, conducting primary research, analysing social issues, and advocating for positive social change in communities around the globe.  

Sociology is a highly transferable degree, meaning it can be applied to many different types of industries and jobs.

As a sociology graduate, you’ll have lots of options when it comes to employment roles, such as: 

• Community development worker 

• Government social researcher 

• Marketing executive 

• HR manager 

• Police officer 

• International development aid worker 

• Journalist 

• Policy analyst 

• Probation officer 

• Teacher 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You'll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in sociology or a related subject.