University of Portsmouth Open Experience Day
28 Feb 2026, 08:30
Portsmouth
With this foundation year course, you'll gain all the credentials you need to begin your career in sociology. It's ideal for you if you don't yet meet the entry requirements of our undergraduate degree, if you're returning to study after a break away, or you need a bit of extra support to get uni-ready.
You'll spend a year studying with us on campus, through ICP. You'll get the knowledge and academic skills needed to take on a bachelor's degree, learning how to analyse information, do research, and improve your academic writing.
The skills you'll learn will help you work in teams as well as on your own in culturally diverse workplaces. You'll develop your understanding of new workplaces and environments, and how to adapt to new environments.
After your foundation year, you'll be ready to move onto the first year of BSc (Hons) Sociology.
A guaranteed place
Once you’ve successfully completed your foundation year, you'll be ready to progress onto BSc (Hons) Sociology with a guaranteed place.
Course highlights
ICP is based on the University of Portsmouth campus so you'll have access to all facilities, support and societies
When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on BSc (Hons) Sociology
Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move onto your degree ready for success
Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's at university
Careers and opportunities
When you complete this foundation year, you'll be all set to continue on to our BSc (Hons) Sociology degree… which encourages you to engage critically with the world around you, ask questions about the social world and challenge things we often take for granted.
You'll develop the ability to be analytical, consider different perspectives and communicate your ideas effectively. These are transferable skills that are valuable to any employer, which means you'll have lots of career options when you graduate.
Many of our sociology graduates go into people-focused roles, or in roles that allow them to do research, shape social policies or bring about social change. Areas you could go into include research and policy, health and social care, advertising, marketing and media and local government.
Placement year
Taking an optional placement year after your second or third year of study will give you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role. You'll get valuable work experience and the chance to grow your professional network and enhance your CV.
Previous students have taken placement roles at organisations including Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service (PARCS), Why Me? Restorative Justice and Volkswagen.
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsThis section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Choose a specific option to see funding information.
Course optionsUniversity of Portsmouth
Mercantile House
Hampshire Terrace
Portsmouth
PO1 2EG
Email:admissions@port.ac.uk
Phone:023 9284 5566