Sociology (Taught)

Our Masters in Sociology develops a critical understanding of society which draws across the unique mix of intellectual interests and perspectives found at Glasgow. It will develop the critical thinking, research and analytical skills you need to pursue a range of careers in the public and voluntary sectors. You can choose between our General or Global Migrations pathways, combining training in core theoretical and research skills with the ability to specialise in areas of your interest.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• This programme involves research-led and theoretical teaching on cutting-edge topics within sociology including social inequalities (class, race, gender, sexuality and disability); social institutions and social change; migration; media and popular culture; and justice, among other topics.

• You will have the opportunity to specialise through a choice of our General or Global Migrations pathways, which is recognised on your degree transcript. Our Global Migration pathway draws on a wealth of staff expertise on migration covering a broad thematic and geographical spectrum.

• The MSc combines social theory with research skills and tools and enables you to develop applied knowledge and specialise in your areas of interest. Our students have excellent employment prospects, with our alumni typically working in local and national government, and in the third sector.

• You will be taught by leading scholars from the Division of Sociological and Cultural Studies, a centre of excellence for sociology in the UK. Your learning will be grounded in an interdisciplinary knowledge base, as our academic staff have a background in sociology and the related disciplines of anthropology, criminology, social policy, human geography and politics.

• You will be supported to complete your own piece of independent research in a supervised dissertation.

• We offer a diverse programme of events which can seminars, workshops and masterclasses with leading academics and practitioners.

• Sociology at Glasgow is ranked 6th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2026, and 7th in the UK by the Good University Guide 2026.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The Sociology MSc offers two pathways: General or Global Migrations. The General Pathway lets you choose from a wide-ranging selection of optional courses to develop expertise in an area of interest. The Global Migrations pathway builds on Glasgow’s legacy of cutting-edge research and teaching in migration studies, where you will develop a distinctive specialism in this field.

Courses are delivered over two semesters, followed by an independent research project, usually in the form of a dissertation. The dissertation provides an opportunity for you to research a topic of specific interest to you, and allows you to conduct in depth critical exploration of this topic.

General Pathway
You will take two core and four optional courses.

Core courses
Current Issues in Social Theory
PGT Research Design in Practice

Optional courses
See programme page for details on optional courses.

Research project
Dissertation - Sociology

Global Migrations Pathway
You will three core and three optional courses.

Core courses
Current Issues in Social Theory
Global Borders & Border Crossings
Global Migrations: Histories, Structures, Experiences.

Optional courses
See programme page for details on optional courses.

Research project
Dissertation - Sociology