Undergraduate study 2023
Sociology, social policy and social sciences
Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Sociology BSc (Hons)
3 years, starting in September 2023
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Course changes for 2023/24
Learning and assessment
Recognition of Professional Qualifications
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Understand and investigate society and social structures. Using social theory and research methods, you'll study the processes that shape people's lives.
This course will give you an in-depth understanding of the structure of society. You will investigate the roles of its dominant institutions, social structures, and cultural practices, as well as sources of inequalities and conflict.
By applying social theories, you'll learn about the foundations of modern society and how we can positively change it. This will be learnt in the context of British society and other societies around the world.
In Year 1, you'll be introduced to social theory, ideas about the state and social change, and the central traditions of social research. You'll have the chance to take optional units in criminology and international development to broaden your learning.
In Year 2, you'll study units that deepen your understanding of contemporary social theory and techniques of data analysis. You'll choose from a range of options in sociology, social policy, criminology and international development.
In your final year, you'll do your dissertation. This will demonstrate the knowledge and skills you'll develop. You'll also choose from a range of optional units from across the social sciences. These will allow you to build upon the theoretical understanding you'll gain during Years 1 and 2 and apply it to contemporary sociological issues.
The flexibility of this course will allow you to create a degree that's tailored to your interests and potential future career.
Informed teaching to advance your learning
You'll learn from teaching staff with expertise in different areas of sociology. Their passion, knowledge and research shape our teaching to provide you with an enhanced learning experience.
Develop your professional skills
We work to provide you with the skills and support to prepare you for employment and further study. These include:
critical thinking and research skills
sociological data analysis
communication and presentation skills
Prepare for your future career
Many of our social sciences graduates have gone on to work as social and policy researchers, civil servants, international consultants, journalists, and accountants.
They've gone on to work in:
government departments
social enterprises and charities
European and international agencies and organisations
Social care and family services
public policy consultancy
Find out what our graduates go on to do
2023/24 Academic Year
Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.
This course lasts 3 years. It starts in September 2023 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 25 September 2023.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.
As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 60 credits (ECTS) in each academic year. These are usually split into 30 credits for each semester you study. 60 credits are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.
Compulsory units
Becoming a social scientist 1
Social problems, social change and the state
The making of modern society
Understanding social change
Contemporary sociological theory
Qualitative analysis: the power of immersion
Quantitative data analysis: the power of statistics
Sociology and beyond
Sociology dissertation
Final Year Options
You'll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.
Laboratory sessions
Practical sessions
Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of laboratory sessions, lectures, practical sessions, seminars, tutorials and workshops, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 8 and 10 hours a week in your first year.
In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 25 to 32 hours per week in your first year, and include independent learning, including individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example, you may do a final year project in the final year. You'll work on your own and as part of groups.
Assessment breakdown
You will be assessed in a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge.
10% to 25% of your course will be assessed through examinations.
75% to 90% will be assessed through essays, reports, and presentations.
The balance of examinations and coursework may depend on the optional units you choose.
The final degree classification is determined by your second and final year marks and each contributes 32% and 68% respectively.
You will primarily be assessed as an individual, but may also be assessed as part of a group.
We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service's pages for information.
As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).
The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.
The United Kingdom currently subscribes to The Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) Directive. The MRPQ Directive provides a reciprocal framework of rules which enables European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals to have their professional qualifications recognised in a state other than the one in which the qualification was obtained. In the event of a no deal Brexit, from 1 January 2021, the MRPQ Directive will no longer apply to the UK. However, it is anticipated that there will be a new system for recognising professional qualifications between the UK, EEA, and Switzerland.
'There's a social scientist in everyone really, and sociologists are really at the heart of making a difference to our society.'
— Adam Robinson BSc Sociology and Social Policy (Graduating year, 2019)
Your application, especially your personal statement, should demonstrate your enthusiasm for your chosen degree. This might include relevant reading, voluntary work or additional study, such as a relevant EPQ. When describing your experiences you should reflect on what you have learnt from them, how they have influenced your development or how they are relevant to your future studies.
We know that the context in which you are studying can have an impact on your ability to perform your best in exams and coursework, or limit which subjects or qualifications you are able to study at your school or college. We consider any application based on its merits, including your background and circumstances, including through:
our contextual admissions process, including our Access to Bath programme
our approach to considering mitigating circumstances
Origin of qualifications
Select the country where your qualification comes from. Australia Belgium Bulgaria Canada China Croatia Cyprus Denmark European Baccalaureate France Germany Greece Hong Kong Hungary India Ireland Italy Japan Jordan Lithuania Malaysia New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Singapore South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Thailand Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America
British qualifications
A level Typical offer
AAB in three A levels.
A level Alternative offer
Most of our students will join us with three principal subjects, but you may have study beyond this (such as a Global Perspectives course or additional study in maths) which demonstrates your individual talents that will help you with your degree. We recognise these studies through our alternative offers.
ABB in three A levels plus one of:
grade A in an EPQ
grade B in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
grade B in a Core Mathematics qualification
grade B in AS level Mathematics or Statistics (except if you are studying an A level in that subject)
if you are eligible, a pass in the Access to Bath course or successful completion of another recognised widening access programme
If you receive an offer for this course and are studying one of these qualifications you will be given both the typical and alternative offer.
You can find out more about our alternative offers, including a complete list of qualifications we consider on our dedicated page.
International Baccalaureate Typical offer
International Baccalaureate Diploma
35 points overall and 6, 6, 5 in three Higher Level subjects.
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme
We consider applicants studying the IBCP on a case-by-case basis based on the individual components studied. For this course you will typically need to study a combination of IB Higher Level courses and appropriate vocational study equivalent to three A levels. This vocational study can be any qualification we accept, such as a BTEC National Diploma (RQF) or two BTEC National Extended Certificates (RQF). If you are studying a BTEC National Extended Diploma (RQF) we may be able to consider you on the basis of that alone - please see our Pearson Edexcel BTEC requirements below.
Our typical offer will including individual grades in the relevant components - please contact admissions@bath.ac.uk for further advice before you apply.
Pearson Edexcel BTEC RQF Typical offer
DDD in the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF).
We prefer the above qualifications to be in a relevant subject area and are unable to consider qualifications in Public Services, Uniformed Protective Services, Travel and Tourism and other less relevant disciplines.
See the 'Combinations of qualifications' section for information about combinations of A level and BTEC qualifications that we can consider.
Pearson Edexcel BTEC QCF Typical offer
D*DD
D*DD in the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF).
OCR Cambridge Technical Typical offer
D*DD in the Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma.
We prefer the above qualifications to be in a relevant subject area and we prefer you to have taken optional units in Sociology and Public Health.
T level Typical offer
T levels are not considered suitable preparation for this degree programme and are therefore not accepted for entry. If you require advice on how you may academically prepare to study this degree or present with a mix of qualifications, you should contact our Admissions Progression Team at admissions-progression@bath.ac.uk.
Cambridge Pre-U Typical offer
D3, D3, M1
D3, D3, M1 in three principal subjects.
Cambridge Pre-U Alternative offer
D3, M1, M1
D3, M1, M1 in three principal subjects plus one of:
grade M1 in Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives
Scottish Highers Typical offer
AB in Advanced Highers
AB in two Advanced Highers.
We make offers based on Advanced Highers. You will typically be expected to have completed five Scottish Highers and your grades in these will be considered as part of your application. We prefer applicants who have achieved at least AAABB in their Highers.
Access to HE Diploma Typical offer
33 credits at Distinction
A pass in the Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 credits achieved at Distinction and 6 credits achieved at Merit above. This must include at least 9 credits achieved at Distinction in an essay-based subject.
Open University credits Typical offer
Pass units worth 120 credits, including a minimum of a Pass 2 with 70% in a relevant essay-based Level 2 unit.
Typically, we would be looking for you to have studied units worth at least 120 credits, including at least 30 credits at Level 2. We would generally be looking for you to have taken relevant units in essay-based subjects, preferably social sciences. This information is a guide and all students applying with Open University Credits will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We will consider your application carefully and take note of any previous qualifications or relevant work experience. Please contact us to discuss your profile.
Taking OU credits may be counted as degree-level study by the Student Loans Company and therefore may be counted as previous study and have an impact on your ability to access student loans for the entirety of your chosen degree. We recommend that you discuss this in detail with the SLC before following this progression route to the University of Bath.
Combinations of qualifications Typical offer
Your application will be considered individually based on the particular combination of qualifications and subjects that you are taking.
We can consider combinations of accepted qualifications, of which some common examples are:
AB in two A levels plus D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate (RQF) OR the Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate (RQF)
A in one A level subject plus DD in the BTEC National Diploma (RQF)
AB in two A levels plus D3 in a Pre-U principal subject
AAB in two A levels (excluding Accounting) and the LIBF Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS)
AAB in two A levels (excluding Criminology) and the WJEC Applied Diploma in Criminology
We can also consider combinations that are not listed and do not include A levels. You should read the information about essential and preferred subjects and subject combinations. We cannot consider different qualifications in the same subject area.
GCSE requirements
GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or C
GCSE English Language or Literature grade 4 or C (or equivalent from English language category B)
You do not need the required grade in Mathematics if you study a higher level qualification in Mathematics or Statistics (such as an A level, AS level or a Core Mathematics qualification).
Category B
You will normally need one of the following:
IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
Duolingo: 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test
See the full list of accepted English qualifications.
Russian qualifications
Certificate of Secondary Education (Attestat o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii)
Unfortunately we are unable to accept students onto our degrees on the basis of this qualification alone. You will need to take an additional course before applying to us. This could be A levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma or a recognised foundation course. Please contact us for further advice.
A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma
We accept these qualifications whether you have studied them in the UK or abroad. Our entry requirements are listed under the 'United Kingdom' section.
International Foundation Years
If you have not studied qualifications we typically accept or you do not expect to meet our requirements in your current studies you may wish to consider an International Foundation Year.
The one-year University of Bath International Foundation Year International Foundation Year programme is licensed to and delivered by Bath College, our partner organisation in the centre of Bath. This course is accredited by the University of Bath and provides you with guaranteed progression to a University of Bath degree (subject to you achieving the required grades at the end of the programme).
We also accept International Foundation Years offered by other UK colleges and universities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice.
Romanian qualifications
Diplomă de Bacalaureat
8.8 overall with 9.0, 9.0, 8.5 in three subjects .
Polish qualifications
Certificate of Maturity
85, 85, 80 in three extended subjects.
Croatian qualifications
Maturalna Svjedodzba
An overall grade of 4.5 with 5, 5, 4 in three subjects including one Advanced Level subject.
South African qualifications
National Senior Certificate
77666 in five subjects.
We cannot accept Maths Literacy as one of these subjects.
Cypriot qualifications
Cypriot Apolytirion (Private Schools)
18 in the Apolytirion plus AB in two A levels.
Apolytirion Lyceum Pathway (Public Schools 2019)
If you are studying any of the four subjects at an Advanced Level (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology), we may be able to consider you without the further GCE/PIA/CIE A level requirements. Please contact admissions@bath.ac.uk for further advice.
Portuguese qualifications
Certificado de fim de Estudos Secundários.
An overall average of 17.5 with 18, 18, 17 in three subjects.
Your subjects grades will be taken as an average of your school results and external exams where relevant.
European Baccalaureate
We accept the European Baccalaureate and our entry requirements are listed under the 'European Baccalaureate' section.
Belgian qualifications
Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur / Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs / Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts
Due to the variety, structure and grading of these qualifications, applications are welcomed from students with these qualifications but we consider them on on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in applying, please contact us on admissions@bath.ac.uk for further advice. Please provide copies of your school reports within your email for our consideration.
Spanish qualifications
Titulo de Bachiller
A score of 8.5 overall.
French qualifications
French Baccalaureate
An overall score of 14 with 15, 14 in two speciality subjects in your final year.
If you do not study Mathematics as a specialty in your French Baccalaureate, you will need either 60 in Mathematics from the Brevet or 10 in Additional Mathematics in your final year.
Our requirements for the French Baccalaureate are the same for students studying the International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) for this course.
European qualifications
84% overall with 9.0 in one subject.
American qualifications
Advanced Placement Tests
5, 5, 4 in three Advanced Placement Tests.
We accept no more than one Calculus AP as one of these three subjects.
We assess applications from students taking AP examinations on an individual basis.
When assessing your application, we will also be looking for evidence of a high academic standard across a breadth of study, for example through additional AP Tests, your wider school curriculum and SAT or ACT scores if you have taken them.
If you would like advice about your own set of qualifications, please email admissions@bath.ac.uk
We do not accept SAT Subject Tests for direct entry to our degrees.
We accept the IB Diploma and our entry requirements are listed under the 'United Kingdom' section. If you are studying a mixture of IB courses and College Board qualifications please contact us for advice.
South Korean qualifications
Ilbankye Kodung Hakkyo (General High School Diploma)
Irish qualifications
Irish Leaving Certificate
H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 in six subjects from the Irish Leaving Certificate.
Norwegian qualifications
Vitnemål for videregående opplæring (Leaving certificate from upper secondary school)
An average of 4 in the common core subjects and an average of 4.6 across six optional programme courses.
These requirements are for the Specialisation in General Studies programme. Please contact us if you are taking a different programme
We consider your grades in final assessment for each subject, or in examinations where you do not have a final assessment for that subject.
Swedish qualifications
Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola (Upper secondary school leaving certificate)
Pass with A in 800 credits and B in a further 1200 credits.
Danish qualifications
Studenterexamen (STX)
A weighted average mark of 10.
We may be able to consider your application if you are taking the Højere Handelseksamen (HHX), Højere Teknisk Eksamen (HTX), Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF). Please contact us to discuss our requirements.
Indian qualifications
Higher Secondary School Certificate (12th Standard)
An average of 80% across four subjects.
We do not accept Physical Education as one of these four subjects.
These requirements are for the CBSE and CISCE boards. Please contact us if you are taking this qualification with a different board.
Hong Kongese qualifications
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
5, 5, 4 in three elective subjects or 5, 4 in two elective subjects plus 5 in core English or Mathematics.
We accept Advanced Placement Tests. Our entry requirements are listed under the 'United States of America' section. You will need to hold an English language qualification (such as IELTS) in place of ACT or SATR scores as we can only accept these for United States citizens.
Japanese qualifications
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho)
Bulgarian qualifications
Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie (DIPZO)
5.5 overall with 5.8 in a state matriculation exam (excluding Bulgarian).
Malaysian qualifications
Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)
AAB in three subjects.
We do not accept General Studies as one of these three subjects. We do not accept grade A- in place of grade A or grade B- in place of grade B.
Dua Tahun Matrikulasi (PDT)
CGPA of 3.3 in the science stream.
Canadian International Matriculation Programme
We accept this programme for direct entry and our requirements are the same as for a Canadian Secondary School Diploma. These are listed in the 'Canada' section.
German qualifications
1.6 overall.
Chinese qualifications
Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate or Chinese University Entrance Exam (Gaokao)
Unfortunately we are unable to accept students onto our degrees on the basis of these qualifications alone. You will need to take an additional course before applying to us. This could be A levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma or a recognised foundation course. Please contact us for further advice.
Canadian qualifications
83% average across 5 or 6 academic grade 12 subjects.
The number of grade 12 subjects we require will depend on your province/territory.
We also accept the Quebec diplôme d'études collégiales. Please email admissions@bath.ac.uk to discuss our entry requirements.
We also accept the Canadian International Matriculation Programme. Our requirements are the same as for the Secondary School Diploma.
We accept Advanced Placement Tests. Our entry requirements are listed under the 'United States of America' section.
Thai qualifications
Higher Secondary School Certificate (Mathayom Suksa 6)
Emirati qualifications
Secondary School Certificate (Tawjihiyya)
Indian Higher Secondary School Certificate (12th Standard)
We accept the Indian 12th Standard and our entry requirements are listed under the 'India' section.
Singaporean qualifications
Singapore A levels
AAB in three H2 level subjects.
Polytechnic Diploma (3 years)
We accept GCE and International A levels and the IB Diploma whether you have studied them in the UK or abroad. Our entry requirements are listed under the 'United Kingdom' section.
Turkish qualifications
Lise Bitirme Diplomasi
CGPA of 75% with 85%, 80% in two subjects from the final year, with 80% in an essay based subject.
Greek qualifications
Apolytirion
We cannot accept the Apolytirion unless it is studied alongside A levels. We do not accept Pan Hellenic examinations in place of an A level.
Hungarian qualifications
Érettségi Bizonyítvány (Secondary Education Graduation Certificate)
80% and 75% in two Higher subjects plus 5 ,5, 4 in three Standard subjects.
Jordanian qualifications
General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi)
New Zealander qualifications
National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA)
Level 3 Diploma achieved with Merit including two Level 3 subjects with 14 credits at Excellence (E) and one Level 3 subject with 14 credits at Merit (M).
Lithuanian qualifications
Brandos Atestatas (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
8.75 overall with 90, 90, 85 in three state exams.
Australian qualifications
High School Certificates and Certificates of Education
Pass the relevant certificate with an ATAR or TER of 93.
We can accept any of the following school leaver qualifications meeting these requirements:
-Australian Capital Territory Year 12 Certificate -New South Wales Higher School Certificate -Northern Territory Certificate of Education -South Australian Certificate of Education -Tasmanian Certificate of Education -Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning -Victorian Certificate of Education -Western Australian Certificate of Education
Our requirements for the Queensland Senior Certificate of Education are:
Overall Band Position of 2.
Italian qualifications
Diploma di Esame di Stato
An overall score of 87% in the classical, languages or scientific pathway with 9, 9, 8 in three subjects from your final report card.
Ukrainian qualifications
Atestat pro Povnu Zagal'nu Sersdniu Osvitu (Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education)
Зовнішнє незалежне оцінювання (External Independent Evaluation EIE)
НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ МУЛЬТИПРЕДМЕТНИЙ TECT (National Multi-Subject Test)
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept students onto our degrees on the basis of these qualifications alone. You will need to take an additional course before applying to us. This could be A levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma or a recognised foundation course. Please contact us for further advice. If you have not studied qualifications we typically accept or you do not expect to meet our requirements in your current studies you may wish to consider a Foundation Year or if you are located here in the UK, explore the qualifications that may be available to you. Please contact us for further advice on admissions@bath.ac.uk
Fees and funding information for Sociology BSc (Hons)
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.
Learn how we decide fee status
These fees are for the academic year 2023/24 only. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.
Home students
Tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24
UK undergraduate fees are regulated by the government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval.
You should budget for an increase of up to 5% each year for every further year of study; we will not increase your fees each year by more than this percentage and the amount will be set out on our fee page in December for the following academic year.
If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.
Tuition fee loans
If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.
Read more about tuition fee loans
You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.
Read more about bursaries and scholarships
You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.
Read more about your payment options
You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.
Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.
If you're on a placement, you're responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.
Final award
BSc (Hons)
Mode of study
Institution code
Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
Home application deadline
Overseas application deadline
Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
The Office for Students (OfS)
We will usually assess you based on your UCAS application. Very exceptionally we may invite you to an interview if you have circumstances we cannot assess from an application alone.
Our interview page gives more information on what you should expect from an interview.
Undergraduate Selection
admissions@bath.ac.uk
Learn more about living and studying at Bath
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Sociology BSc (Hons) – 4 years with professional placement
Social Sciences BSc (Hons) – 3 years
Sociology and Social Policy BSc (Hons) – 3 years
Social Policy BSc (Hons) – 3 years
Criminology BSc (Hons) – 3 years
Social Work and Applied Social Studies BSc (Hons) – 3 years
Learn about the range of qualitative social research methods and analytical approaches in social sciences. You will explore key principles and considerations in social research, related to qualitative work, including generalisability, comparability, research ethics, positionality, and conceptualisation. You are encouraged to think creatively, practically and critically about the design and purpose of social research.
Explore many aspects of quantitative social research methods: brief history of statistics; epistemological and ontological assumptions; principles of research design; techniques in generating primary quantitative data and locating secondary quantitative data; summarizing variables, graphically presenting them and doing basic analysis of bivariate relationships using dedicated statistical software; the social production of official statistics as well as 'big data' and their political economy.
Explore how social policy responds to social problems encountered by societies across the world. You'll practice how to succinctly report social problems to decision-making audiences.
Explore the fundamental principles of sociological analysis, and trace the emergence of sociology in the 19th century in the context of industrialisation, colonialism, nationalism and social revolution in Europe. You'll discover how sociology has developed as a way of making sense of key defining features of capitalist modern society, including the formation of social class, new forms of social oppression (gender and race), democratisation of the state and the emergence of the public space.
Examine the factors that shape social change, the impact of social change, and how social scientists have attempted to understand social change with the creation of '-isations' and '-isms'. Underpinned by theoretical perspectives throughout, the unit is responsive to the political, economic and social issues and agendas of the day, to ensure that you can see how current social changes are influencing, shaping and defining your life and the world in which you live.
In Year 1, you will study 10 credits of optional units in semester two. You will select one of two 10 credit criminology options, or two 5 credit international development options.
Expand your understanding of sociological theory, with a particular emphasis on key theoretical developments taking place in the 20th and 21st centuries.
You'll study topics from 1920 to the present day, with a focus on recent (post-1960) developments. You'll examine and appraise key theoretical approaches in depth.
Develop a critical understanding of the research process and practice of qualitative data analysis. You'll gain the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to undertake qualitative data collection and analysis, and present your research findings. You'll learn about the typical processes involved in designing and carrying out research involving qualitative data.
Develop your knowledge, practical skills and competence in analysing quantitative data.
You'll study key topics such as:
· the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics · the processes of generating samples and the concept of normal distribution · tests of significance and tests of association for nominal, ordinal and scale variables · methods of analysing variance between multiple samples, techniques of modelling relationships using simple and multiple regression.
In Year 2, you will study a total of 30 credits of optional units. This will be a combination of all-year 10 credit options and 5 credit single semester options.
These options will cover a range of sociology, international development, social policy, and economics topics, such as:
conflict and security
poverty and population
Learn how the discipline of sociology sits within the broader context of the humanities and social sciences. Examine the application of sociology in other disciplines (such as anthropology, the arts, philosophy, history and political science) and the challenges that other disciplines bring to sociological ideas or theories. Explore how to build sophisticated and critical argumentation and engage with ontological, epistemological and methodological approaches beyond those offered by sociology.
Develop and complete your own sociological project. You will apply knowledge and skills culminating in a coherent, long-form piece comprising a set of interrelated components. The dissertation involves all key stages of a small-scale research project. You will identify a relevant research question, survey a corresponding research field, select appropriate research design and methods, and collect and analyse materials. Dissertation work is independent, supported by an academic supervisor
In your final year, you will study a total of 30 credits of optional units. This will be a combination of all-year 10 credit options and 5 credit single semester options.
conflict and human rights
experts and evidence