Curious about studying Sociology and Social Policy - BA (Hons)at University of Stirling? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Stirling Campus
Full Time
Sep 2027
4 Year
Our Sociology and Social Policy course will let you understand the way society works and the processes and outcomes of social welfare. You’ll explore social differentiation and contemporary social issues, as well as looking at historical and theoretical perspectives on welfare. You’ll also be introduced to the development of social theory and get lots of practical experience in methods of social research and analysis. With our international and comparative approach, you’ll study topics that analyse society and welfare issues in a range of countries. We have particular expertise on Scotland, the UK, the European Union, Western and Central Europe, Australasia, North America and Latin America. Study abroad opportunities
This is a core module that introduces students to sociological thinking through the study of social differentiation, which is a way that people divide and categorise their social world. It provides an introduction to sociology and introduces students to key sociological concepts. The module will explore what sociology is and how it can be used to critically analyse human social life.
This is a core module that introduces students to sociological thinking through the study of social differentiation, which is a way that people divide and categorise their social world. It provides an introduction to sociology and introduces students to key sociological concepts. The module will explore what sociology is and how it can be used to critically analyse human social life.
This module builds on the Social Differentiation module (SPCU912) and provides a foundation for further modules in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology. However, there are no pre-requisites for this module and no previous knowledge of Sociology, Social Policy or Criminology is assumed. This module examines the emergence and social construction of a range of ?social problems? from a sociological perspective, including problems relating to the family, sexuality, poverty, unemployment, crime and deviance, as well as political and social ?tes. The module introduces students to how these issues have been defined, examined and discussed primarily in UK society. In doing so, it also illustrates how sociology as a discipline is built up through competing arguments and theories.
This module builds on the Social Differentiation module (SPCU911/X1) and provides a foundation for further modules in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology. However, there are no pre-requisites for this module and no previous knowledge of Sociology, Social Policy or Criminology is assumed. This module examines the emergence and social construction of a range of ?social problems? from a sociological perspective, including problems relating to the family, sexuality, poverty, unemployment, crime and deviance, as well as political and social ?tes. The module introduces students to how these issues have been defined, examined and discussed primarily in UK society. In doing so, it also illustrates how sociology as a discipline is built up through competing arguments and theories.
The module provides an introduction to some of the main social theoretical perspectives, tracing their development and affording familiarity with their key concepts. The first half of the module considers the classical contributions of Marx, Durkheim and Weber. The second half of the module focuses upon more contemporary theoretical approaches including feminist theories, symbolic interactionism, ethnomethodology and structuration.
The overall aim is to introduce students to an understanding of social policy as a subject of study with a focus on contemporary Britain. It connects the work done on social problems in module SPCU912 with current public policies towards them, along with a background in the structures, institutions and responsibilities of government in the devolved UK and the financing of government. It also aims to equip students with the conceptual frameworks for the analysis of social policy that they may use later in the degree programme.
This is a core module which aims to develop students? ability to examine theoretical, methodological and empirical work in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, centering on the process of qualitative research. The development of critical thinking and research skills, through self-directed learning, participation in group work in tutorials, coursework writing and preparation for the examination is expected. The module will draw upon a selection of substantive topics from sociology, social policy and criminology.
The module offers students hands-on introduction to the social survey research methods, through teaching the main principles and basic techniques of the statistical data analysis, and through guiding students step-by-step through the empirical quantitative research process from the project design to empirical data identification/collection to the statistical analysis of the data with the IBM SPSS Statistics programme and writing up the research findings.
The dissertation surgery sessions are designed to support your dissertation work and to offer opportunities for self-help. Your supervisor will offer supervision that is complementary to the dissertation workshops. For further information about your dissertation work please refer to the guidelines SPCU9CZ/ SOCU9CZ/CRMU9TZ Honours Dissertation: Dissertation Guidelines.
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