Sociology

In a time of economic instability, social upheaval and cultural tensions, our BSc Sociology degree instils students with the knowledge, skills and passion to understand and find solutions to the most pressing issues facing contemporary societies.

Our programme of varied and engaging modules examines the impact on individuals and societies of the processes of globalisation, nationalism and migration; transformations of gender roles; religious beliefs; political identities and the impact of social media on mental health – even the cultural politics of sport and the rise of fitness culture.

At the core of our programmes are the skills needed to understand the factors driving increasingly rapid processes of social, cultural, technological and environmental change and how individuals, communities and nations respond to these upheavals. We teach cutting-edge theories and practical research methods, from basic quantitative skills to innovative methods, such as visual analysis and online ethnography.

Complementing these skills with the transformative experiences of work placements and study abroad opportunities, students on our BSc Sociology programme enhance their employability in different, interesting and exciting careers across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Alongside advancing your career aspirations, the degree fosters your personal growth through opportunities to reflect on the way in which these trends and processes have shaped you, your experiences and the lives of those closest to you.

The course will help you ask and answer key social questions, such as:

• How do societies change? How are these changes related to processes of globalization, migration, shifts in gender roles and religious beliefs, digital technologies, social movements and economic and cultural transformations?

• How do social theories help us to understand complex processes, such as how power operates in society? How do different understandings of power translate into different societies, policies and ways of regulating intimate relations?

• How can we analyse society, its structures, people’s beliefs and experiences? How do different methods capture different aspects of social reality from correlations between social class and educational opportunities to the emotional effects of social media?

Course Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'Course structure' section of the course page on our website.

You will be assessed using a range of methods. These include essays and exams, in-class tests and group presentations, blogs and critical case studies as well as a final year dissertation which evaluates your research and writing skills.