Sociology with Foundation Year

Why study Sociology with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?

• Whether you want to challenge inequalities, shape policy, or influence cultural debates, the degree provides the tools to make a real impact in society

• 96% of students surveyed on this course said teaching staff were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025)

• Gain real-world research experience, using AI analytics, action research, and visual methods alongside core qualitative and quantitative approaches

• Take your studies beyond the classroom with field visits to cities like Amsterdam and international exchanges

• Learn from expert staff whose work shapes national and international sociological debates on topics like social justice, digital society, sport, music, disability, gender, and environmentalism

• Develop critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, and communication skills that open doors to careers in research, policy, charities, public sector, media, education, and beyond

About your course
BA (Hons) Sociology at LJMU is an ideal degree for those who want to understand, challenge and change the world around them

What makes our course so distinctive?

At LJMU you’ll explore cutting-edge sociological ideas shaped by our staff’s research on social justice, sport, music, disability, gender, emotions, digital society, and environmentalism. Through application of these ideas, you will develop the insights to shape a more just and sustainable future. From your first year onwards, you’ll engage with both classic and cutting-edge theories while gaining hands-on experience in qualitative and quantitative research, including AI analytics, action research and visual methods.

Our curriculum is global. You won’t just study society in theory, you will experience it first-hand. Opportunities include field visits to cities like Amsterdam, international study exchanges, and in-depth explorations of global societies.

Our curriculum is local too and embedded within the fabric of the Liverpool City Region, shaped by its energies of activism, diversity, and creativity. Liverpool is a city of culture, music, and political engagement, where issues of inequality, identity, and social change are not just academic concepts. Studying on our programme makes you part of a community that is both historically aware and future-focused; a place where you can apply sociological ideas to real-world challenges and contribute to shaping a more just society.

In your final year, you will take control of your learning by undertaking independent research on a topic of your choice. Whether you want to challenge inequalities, shape policy, or influence cultural debates, this degree provides the foundation to make an impact. Graduates go on to careers in social research, the public sector and the civil service, media, education, and more.

If you want to study sociology from multiple angles in a theoretically informed but hands-on way, developing employer-valued skills, and engaging with regional, national and global issues our programme is the one for you.

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the interest and ability to study for a degree, but do not have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Sociology honours degree programme yet.

Once you pass the Foundation Year (level 3) you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

Please visit the Liverpool John Moores University website for detailed module information.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

We understand that all students perform differently depending on the way they are assessed, and so we use a range of traditional and innovative assessment methods. These include essays, exams, reports, individual and group presentations, policy analyses, online tests, wikis and critical reviews.

Constructive feedback on your assessed work is designed to help you achieve your full potential and get the most out of your studies. Your tutors will provide this in writing, by email or in face-to-face meetings where they will help you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work. They can also direct you to further support if you feel you need it.