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Sociology

Course details
  • Master of Arts (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Central area campus

Course summary

The study of sociology explores questions such as: how do people organise collectively around common goals? How do societies and social groups distribute and manage power among their members?

Your undergraduate degree in Sociology will cover a comprehensive range of subjects, giving you a broad introduction to the subject and the flexibility to study topics within and outside it.

Our programme equips you to compare different national contexts and understand contemporary social issues from a global perspective.

Programme benefits

  • Our commitment to teaching and student support is seen in the wins and nominations we have achieved over the years at the Edinburgh University Students' Association Teaching Awards.

  • One of the great strengths of studying sociology with us is the breadth and diversity of topics covered.

  • We offer opportunities to study abroad in Year 3.

  • The degree programme can be taken with a focus on quantitative methods.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
L300
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA-AAB

Required subjects: A levels: no specific A level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AABB

AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6 (Standard). ABBB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
37-34

from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL (Standard). 34 points with 655 at HL (Minimum). Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference. https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/2027/125-sociology?utm_source=ucas&utm_medium=programme&utm_campaign=ug_institution_profiles&utm_content=listing

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level ABB

Required subjects: A levels: no specific A level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.

Scottish Higher ABBB

AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6 (Standard). ABBB by end of S6 (Minimum). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Offer: 34

from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL (Standard). 34 points with 655 at HL (Minimum). Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)total 92 with at least 20 in each component (before 21 Jan 2026); total 4.5 with at least 4.0 in each component (from 21 Jan 2026). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. We also accept other English language tests and qualifications from around the world. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, Oxford Test of English Advanced, Trinity ISE. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

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.

The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.

Learn more on the The University of Edinburgh website

International entry requirements

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/international-qualifications

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 available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Scotland£1820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050
EU & International£31100

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

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2027, the tuition fees will be £10,050.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme

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