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Sociology BA (Hons)

UCAS code: L300

Interested in why humans think and behave so differently? Understand the world around you on our sociology degree. Critically analyse social and cultural settings and apply your knowledge to different issues on field trips in the UK and Europe.

Overview

Course length: 3 years full-time
6 years part-time
Start dates: September 2024
September 2025
Location: Edge Hill University
Example offers: BBC-BBB (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria
Subject(s): Sociology and Social Sciences
Faculty: Arts and Sciences
Department: History, Geography and Social Sciences
Students listen attentively during a lecture.

Humans are social animals. Our norms, values, lifestyles and wellbeing are completely tied to the welfare of others.

On this BA (Hons) Sociology degree you’ll learn how to critically analyse current social issues. And explore how history has influenced the way we live our lives today. You’ll discover the social world and build your understanding of our place in the global environment.

Investigate differing sociological viewpoints. Do we live in an ordered society? Or is society unequal and conflict-ridden? You’ll examine issues associated with these questions including equality, rights, liberty, social justice and diversity.

You’ll study a range of topics. These could include feminist, gay and disability rights. Or movements such as ‘Black Lives Matter’ and transgender activism. In years 2 and 3, you’ll have greater choice to shape your study with optional modules.
Our approach to teaching sociology is innovative and creative. Throughout your BA (Hons) Sociology degree you’ll take part in field trips in the UK and Europe. We’ll make sure you develop research skills to expand your sociological imagination. You’ll also master critical skills and have the option to undertake a work placement. So when you graduate you’ll be career-ready.

Course features

  • International students can apply

  • Learn a language option available

  • Sandwich year option available

  • Studying abroad option available

  • Work placement opportunity

What you'll study

The first year of our BA (Hons) Sociology degree provides a strong foundation of sociological knowledge. This builds your transferable skills and prepares you for the following years of your degree. You’ll be introduced to social policy and welfare, looking at key social issues such as poverty, inequality, education and child welfare. You’ll also be introduced to the sociological imagination where you’ll explore a range of concepts and approaches that determine our view of the world.

Compulsory modules:

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Sociology of the Everyday
Introduction to Social Policy and Welfare
Power in Society
Introduction to Sociology and Social Theory
Critical Issues in Sociology

One of:

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Exploring the Social World
Language 1

In Year 2, you’ll develop more specialist sociological knowledge and study issues around class and culture, diversity and conflict. You’ll also explore the benefits and disadvantages of living in an interconnected, globalised society. We’ll offer opportunities to enhance your employability through an optional work-based learning module, as well as the chance to strengthen your research skills through two bespoke research modules.

Compulsory modules:

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Broken Britain
Becoming a Social Researcher
Doing Social Research
States, Conflict and Political Violence

Two of:

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Self-Directed Study
Work-based Learning and Employability 1
Language 2
Digital Detectives
Youth Studies: Key Concepts and Issues
Children, Food and Sustainability
Children’s Cultural Worlds
Representations of Childhood and Popular Culture
Youth Offending: Critical Perspectives

You’ll write a dissertation on a topic you are passionate or curious about in Year 3. You’ll also investigate issues around the sociology of the body and emotions, from the impact of body dissatisfaction, to how physical and mental ill health impacts the body and mind. You’ll get to choose two modules to study that interest you most – you could explore topics such as terrorism, childhood and sexuality, animals and society, or autism.

Compulsory modules:

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Dissertation
Sociology of the Body and the Emotions
Global Capitalism and its Discontents

Two of:

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Childhood and Sexuality
Critical Autism Studies
Critical Migration Studies
Critical Terrorism Studies
Issues of Professional Practice
European Field Trip
Work-based learning and Employability 2
Language 3
Cultural Heritage and Disasters
Black Life and Black Protest in the United States 1895-1945
Black Life and Black Protest in the United States Since 1945
A Century of Crime and Its Contexts: Circa 1840-1940

Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.

How you'll study

You will benefit from a range of learning opportunities from conventional lectures and seminars to the more innovative workshops, investigative project work and information retrieval and analysis. You will be encouraged to make full use of the superb student network and computer facilities on campus in order to support your studies.

Field trips are a central component of study, with trips planned both within the UK and Europe. Currently the department has established field trips to London, Northern Ireland, Amsterdam and Krakow.

Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.

How you'll be assessed

Your achievements are assessed throughout the programme. Modules use a variety of methods including essays, case studies, portfolios, oral presentations, e-log books and completion of directed tasks.

There are no formal written examinations as part of the current assessment methods on this BA (Hons) Sociology degree.

Who will be teaching you

The department has a large number of full-time staff and prides itself on the quality of its tutorial support. Staff are engaged in cutting-edge research in a number of crucial areas including themes around issues of conflict, identity and childhood. They have also presented numerous papers at international academic conferences in recent years and published books, book contributions and journal articles.

Your BA (Hons) Sociology degree will be supplemented by a series of research seminars and other talks. These will feature academic staff and visiting guest speakers from a range of professions and organisations.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Typical offer 104-112 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.

Example offers

Qualification Requirement
A Level BCC-BBC.
BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM).
T Level Overall grade of Merit.
International Baccalaureate (IB) We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma 45 credits at Level 3, for example 9 credits at Distinction and 36 credits at Merit or 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.

Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.

If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.

English language requirements

International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

How to apply

Apply full-time

Apply online through UCAS

Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.

International

Apply as an international student

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Part-time applications require a direct application to Edge Hill. Please select the year of entry that you wish to apply for.

Apply for September 2024 part-time.

Apply for September 2025 part-time.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Did you know?

If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.

Discover our accommodation

Facilities

Geosciences buildingThe Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences is based in the Geosciences building. The contemporary facilities combine with a friendly and supportive learning environment to ensure that your studies are a rich and rewarding experience.

The Geosciences building features a large lecture theatre, small group teaching rooms, IT facilities and smaller tutorial spaces. There is also a large social area which encourages a more informal and interactive style of learning.

Where you'll study

GeoSciences

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

£9,250

a year

UK Part-Time

£77 per credit

for 360 credits

International

£16,500

a year

The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Financial support

Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.

Your future career

What kind of job can you get with a BA (Hons) Sociology degree? There’s plenty of exciting and diverse career options.

You’ll be equipped for roles that involve an understanding of how societies and different cultures operate and how they are likely to change. Being able to carry out and analyse research is also a skill that will boost your employability.

Our BA (Hons) Sociology graduates apply their skills to a range of rewarding roles including:

  • primary/secondary school teacher
  • social worker
  • post graduate researcher
  • residential worker
  • managerial or activist posts in charitable or voluntary organisations
  • local authority or civil service posts

Our graduates have also taken their studies further by going on to complete a Masters or PhD, while others have gone on to study for a PGCE and enter teacher training.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Track changes to this course

Discover Uni: Full-Time Study

Discover Uni: Part-Time Study

Download our course leaflet