Details
This programme provides the knowledge and skills to critically engage with key issues facing contemporary societies including globalisation; the changing nature of work and the family; gender roles and sexuality; multiculturalism; the impact of the media and information technologies and new forms of politics.
In addition to these 'big picture' social theories we place a strong emphasis on developing social science research skills - so valued by employers - with research methods training in each year. This culminates in a final year dissertation where you research and write an extended piece on a topic of your own choice, with the support of an expert supervisor.
In addition to our Single Honours programme, Sociology can also be studied as part of a range of Joint Honours options including Political Science; Social Policy; Philosphy; and Education.
If you want to take advantage of a unique opportunity to be supported with a work placement opportunity as part of your final year, this course includes the opportunity to undertake a 'Professional Development' module as part of your optional module choices.
Why study this course
Sociology seeks to understand how social relations and structures influence all aspects of our lives. Join us and explore the dynamic, unprecedented social changes reshaping the world today.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our teaching. Our staff are active researchers who want to share their enthusiasm for sociology with you. We believe teaching and learning should be both rigorous and enjoyable, and seek to involve students in continually developing our activities. The Sociology programme at Birmingham presents a balanced view of the subject. You will be given a broad grounding in the major approaches to the discipline, with emphasis on the cultivation of research skills. Your degree will culminate in a dissertation on a topic of your choice. This reflects our view that you should be doing sociology, not just reading about it, from the very start of your degree.
As a Birmingham Sociology graduate you will be well equipped for your chosen career or further study. In particular you will have gained:
-
Critical ability – to read, absorb and assess complex ideas and arguments about the contemporary world
-
Research skills – practical experience of designing and conducting research, including interviews, questionnaires and using data analysis software
-
Presentational skills – to present your ideas and research in appropriate formats
-
The capacity to work alone or in groups – you will have gained experience of independent study and research as well as working, solving problems and debating ideas with others.
Students applying for this degree will join the Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS), a department that consistently scores high in the National Student Survey (NSS) and is consistently viewed as one of the best departments in the country.
The Department also has an excellent record in the Guardian League Table for Politics. We are consistently viewed as one of the best departments in the country since the Guardian started publishing their League Tables in 2000.
POLSIS has a balance of expertise that covers all areas of the discipline and has long-established strengths in the fields of political theory, European politics, international relations theory, security studies, diplomatic studies, political sociology, political economy, Pacific Asian politics, environmental politics and British politics.
As well as benefiting from our world-leading expertise, you’ll also get the chance to take part in a range of in-house activities that vary by year and are designed to complement your curriculum and enrich your time at Birmingham. These have included:
-
Annual Student Conference
-
Research Assistance Scheme, where students are paired with a member of staff to help them in specific research tasks
-
Simulation exercises using real case examples
-
Simulation events and research visits to local and national places of interest
Learn more about our student experience activities and the work of the Department.
Modules
The programme has been carefully designed to advance your skills and knowledge each year: from broad, introductory level modules in the first year to specialist options and a substantial piece of independent research in the final year.
Each year there is a balance between compulsory modules in the ‘core’ parts of the discipline (eg, theory and methods) and the chance for you to develop your own pathway with a range of specialist choices in and outside of Sociology. Each year students take 120 credits, typically six modules. (Note that as with all degree programmes, not all optional modules will be available every year).
Modules in the first year
In your first year you will be introduced to degree level sociology through Social Worlds and the Sociological Imagination, gain an understanding of stratification through Social Divisions, and learn the basics of research design and methods. In addition, you can select optional courses from a wide range of modules in or outside the department (for example, languages, politics, psychology, economics, social policy, history or African studies).
Compulsory core modules
Optional modules (60 credits)
A wide choice from modules in related disciplines including Politics, Social Policy, Social History, Economics, African Studies, Russian and East European Studies, American and Canadian Studies. A modern language course is also an option.
Criminology Pathway for Sociology Students
-
20 credits - Introduction to Social Policy (Social Policy)
-
20 credits - Social Issues and Social Policy (Social Policy)
Modules in the second year
The second year builds on these foundations by developing your understanding of Modern Sociological Theory, and introducing debates about the nature of Global Societies. You can choose a specialist option in either Gender and Sexuality or Ethnic Relations, and receive more advanced methods training in data analysis and preparation for your final year dissertation. In addition, you can again choose from a range of optional modules in or outside the department.
Compulsory core modules
An opportunity to specialise in and develop one of the ‘Social Divisions’ studied in the first year:
Optional modules (40 credits)
A wide choice from modules in Sociology and/or related disciplines including Politics, Social Policy, Social History, Economics, African Studies, Russian and East European Studies, American and Canadian Studies. A modern language course is also an option.
Criminology Pathway for Sociology Students
-
20 credits - Social Inclusion (Social Policy)
-
20 credits - Social Theory And Social Policy (Social Policy)
-
20 credits - New Migration and Superdiversity (Social Policy)
-
20 credits - Crime, Victims and Society (Social Policy)
Modules in the third year
The focus of the third year is your independent, supervised dissertation which brings together your research skills on a project defined by you. Your training in key sociological ideas is completed with a module on Contemporary Social Theory, and you can then specialise in the areas of the discipline that interest you most. Our teaching staff, who are active researchers, run options in their own specialist fields including the family, political sociology, celebrity culture, the sociology of technology, religion and society and ethnicity and migration.
If you want to take advantage of a unique opportunity to be supported with a work placement opportunity as part of your final year, this course includes the opportunity to undertake a 'Professional Development' module as part of your optional module choices.
Compulsory modules (60 credits)
Optional modules (60 credits)
Criminology Pathway for Sociology Students
-
20 credits - Identity, Politics and Everyday Life (Education)
-
20 credits - Global Capitalism, Migration and the Changing Face of Europe (CREES)
-
20 credits - Crime and Justice: Communities and Diversity (Social Policy)
-
20 credits - Agency and Morality (Social Policy)
-
20 credits - Poverty and Social Security (Social Policy)
Modules also include a wide choice from modules in related disciplines including Politics, Social Policy, Social History, Economics, African Studies, Russian and East European Studies, American and Canadian Studies.
Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: ABB
General Studies: not accepted
Additional information:
International students:
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34 points
Standard English language requirements apply
Learn more about international entry requirements
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
How to apply
Joint Honours combinations
You can study Sociology as part of a Joint Honours degree with the following subjects:
Key Information Set (KIS)
Key Information Sets (KIS) are comparable sets of information about full or part time undergraduate courses and are designed to meet the information needs of prospective students.
From September 2012 all KIS information will be published on the Unistats website and can also be accessed via the small advert, or ‘widget’, below. On the Unistats website you will be able to compare all the KIS data for each course with data for other courses.
The development of Key Information Sets (KIS) forms part of HEFCE’s work to enhance the information that is available about higher education. It will give you access to robust, reliable and comparable information in order to help you make informed decisions about what and where to study.
The KIS contains information which prospective students have identified as useful, such as student satisfaction, graduate outcomes, learning and teaching activities, assessment methods, tuition fees and student finance, accommodation and professional accreditation.