Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Understand how and why the world is changing on this BSc (Hons) Sociology degree. Step into the centre of critical debates on current social and political issues, from Brexit and Black Lives Matter, to income inequality, drone warfare, veganism and the #metoo movement. Make sense of what’s going on, why it’s happening, and what we can do about it.On this BSc (Hons) Sociology degree, you’ll learn classical sociological theories and have the chance to specialise in what interests you most.You'll graduate with the skills to critically engage with the world around you, aa well as the confidence, knowledge and methods to enact positive change.

- Tailor your studies to topics that matter most to you – from gender, sexuality, race, and social class, to happiness, the body, and the politics of nationalism- Learn ways to apply classical sociological theories, such as developing policies and actions to produce social change and solutions to the pressing issues affecting the world right now- Learn from leading sociologists whose research is addressing social issues around the world- Hear from industry specialists on topics such as racism, asylum and gender-based violence – recent guest speakers have come from Friends Without Borders and Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Services (PARCS)- Build competent research skills that support you to carry out your own research and analysis of issues you're passionate about – previous student dissertations were on the Black Lives Matter movement, online dating, musical taste and K-Pop, happiness and social media, becoming vegan and racism in sport- Follow an optional media studies pathway, where you could explore topics such as digital cultures and media fandom