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Sociology and Philosophy

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Royal Holloway, University of London

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Our Department of Law and Criminology and Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy have excellent reputations for research and teaching. Studying sociology and philosophy here means that you will learn from internationally renowned experts who will share their research and experience so that you gain invaluable skills for your future career.

The degree brings the social sciences into conversation with a range of philosophical traditions from contemporary analytic philosophy to ancient Stoic thought and is perfect for you if you wish to benefit from thinking practically about how society works with the flexibility to choose philosophical subjects of particular interest to you.

The first and second year of this degree will see you studying a number of mandatory modules which will give you a good grounding in both sociology and philosophy. For your second year you will also study a number of optional modules from both sociology and philosophy whilst your third year will see you doing your dissertation in either sociology or philosophy as well as a number of optional modules, which may include Sociology of Health and Illness, Race, Ethnicity and Migration, Bioethics and Existentialist Ethics.

Our balanced approach to research and teaching guarantees high quality teaching from subject leaders, cutting edge materials and intellectually challenging debates. You will receive individual attention and flexibility to acquire expertise within your fields of interest.

Upon completion of the course you will have acquired:

  • An understanding of a range of social platforms and policy issues

  • Key critical thinking skills – you will be able to analyse and understand the assumptions which inform central philosophical traditions

  • The ability to argue convincingly in writing and orally

Modules

Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/law/sociology-and-philosophy/

Assessment method

We use a variety of methods of teaching and assessment, including:

Personal tutor in Sociology and designated staff liaison in Philosophy
50% modules in Sociology and 50% modules in Philosophy
Lectures, seminars, small-group tutorials, workshops, fieldtrips, etc
Diverse assessment methods from essays and exams to multiple choice questions, reports, reflective logs and oral presentations
Emphasis on continuous feedback both orally and in writing

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Solicitors Regulation Authority

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
LV35
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
LV35
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
ABB - BBB

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required.

Socio-economic factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.

General Studies and Critical Thinking A-levels are not accepted.

At least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9-4 including English and Mathematics are also required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

in a relevant subject area.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 27 credits M: 18 credits

Pass in a relevant subject with at least 24 level 3 credits at Distinction and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit.

Scottish Higher
AABBB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD

In a relevant subject area plus an A-level grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

Plus A-level grades BB.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDD

in a relevant subject area.

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
D*D

In a relevant subject area plus an A-level grade B.

Scottish Advanced Higher
ABB - BBB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 points

6,5,5 at Higher Level OR a minimum of 32 points overall.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2, H2, H3, H3, H3

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require English and Mathematics at grade 4/C.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on admissions.enquiries@rhul.ac.uk to discuss your situation

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

Not enough data available

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

*The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. This figure is the fee for the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide.

**This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding (https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding).

*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year and are included as a guide. Refers to specific individual items of £50 or more, and excludes accommodation, commuting, food, books/other learning materials and printing costs.

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