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Discover our Joint BA (Hons) Education and Sociology programme, designed to explore the critical questions shaping our world today. Delve into themes such as globalisation, shifting family dynamics, gender roles, multiculturalism, and the changing nature of work, gaining the insights and skills to navigate and influence modern society.
Our Joint BA (Hons) Education and Sociology programme offers an interdisciplinary exploration of education as a driver of global development and the sociological analysis of relationships, power, and change, equipping you to understand and shape modern society.
I enjoy the course very much because the content is very diverse. We get a lot of support from our tutors and lecturers. They are very supportive, especially to international students.
Discover more about your chosen subject whilst exploring our green campus.
most targeted UK university by top graduate employers
High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024.
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Research Excellence Framework (REF)
Our Joint BA (Hons) Education and Sociology degree at the University of Birmingham offers a comprehensive exploration of both fields, with equal emphasis on each subject.
You will engage with key issues such as globalisation, changing family structures, gender roles, and multiculturalism, while developing a critical understanding of contemporary sociological debates. The Education programme focuses on education as a dynamic process of human, cultural, and social development, drawing from psychology, sociology, philosophy, and history. The Sociology programme offers in-depth analysis of social relationships, power dynamics, and societal change, equipping you to understand and address complex social challenges.
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
At Birmingham, you’ll be taught by experts from the School of Education. Through an enquiry-based approach, you’ll develop critical and independent learning skills. Teaching includes lectures, workshops, seminars, and blended learning, all designed to support your career development and help you achieve the course outcomes.
Each module is assessed independently, and all modules contain some components of continuous assessment (that means assessment taking place during the teaching terms). Some modules are assessed entirely through coursework, without an end-of-year examination. At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that module. You'll receive feedback on each assessment within three weeks, so that you can learn from and build on what you have done, including written feedback on your assessments, class feedback, and questions sessions and discussions with your tutor. When exams are included in a module, you’ll have access to marking criteria, and mock exam and marking sessions allow you to get a sense of what to aim for.
You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.
For all undergraduate modules, you'll attend lectures and seminars regularly throughout the term. Contact hours vary dependent on module choice. As well as time with your lecturers and personal tutor, academic and professional services staff (like our dedicated Careers Network team) will be available to offer individual and group support throughout your time at Birmingham.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken:
Module title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Contemporary Issues in Education | 20 | Semester 1 |
Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 20 | Semester 2 |
Introduction to Social Divisions | 20 | Semester 2 |
Sociology of Everyday Life | 20 | Semester 1 |
The Sociological Imagination | 20 | Semester 1 |
Young People and Social Change | 20 | Semester 2 |
Assistant Professor in Psychology in Education
Dr Sarah Gillborn, Lecturer in Psychology in Education in the School of Education, University of Birmingham
Lecturer
Dr Catherine Darnell is a Lecturer in the School of Education, University of Birmingham. She is is interested in cognitive psychology and the impact it has on children's learning.
Associate Professor in Education and Public Policy
Dr Tarek Mostafa is a Senior Lecturer in Education and Public Policy in the School of Education, University of Birmingham
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
ABB
6,5,5 32 points overall
BTEC options considered
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: ABB
General Studies: Not accepted
T Levels: all subjects considered: Standard offer: Distinction overall with B in the Core Component.
Accepted subjects for the BTEC Extended and BTEC Diploma are Children’s Play, Learning & Development, Health & Social Care.
All subjects are considered for the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma when offered in combination with 2 A levels.
BTEC Extended Diploma DDD; typical offers when offered in combination with A Levels: A in A Level plus DM in the BTEC Diploma; or AB in A Levels plus D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma.
Mathematics and English at GCSE grade C. Please note, a GCSE Science at grade C is preferred but not essential. (For students wishing to pursue a career in Primary teaching, it is essential to hold a GCSE Science at grade C).
Typical offer grades are for guidance only, and will depend on the subjects you are combining. Please read the entries for both subjects. Where there is a disparity between the typical offer for Subject A and the typical offer for Subject B, the higher offer should be taken as the usual offer for the combination of the two.
We will only consider Access to HE Diploma programmes in Social Sciences or Humanities.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) details
Applicants who take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. For example, where our standard offer is ABB, the offer would be ABB; or BBB plus A in the EPQ.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer. For more information, please contact outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
BBC
BBB
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Our graduates are highly regarded among employers in the UK, as evidenced by the fact that we’re the UK university most targeted by top graduate employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2024’ report). Our courses are committed to your future career, and university is just the start. Graduates from our Joint BA (Hons) Education and Sociology degree will gain comprehensive knowledge of two disciplines and will allow you to develop a range of skills and practical experience which will enable you to pursue either educational or sociological study at a higher level or to secure employment as educationalists or sociologists. Reasoning, communication and organisational skills acquired from this programme, and practiced in the context of two disciplines, are readily transferable to a large number of professions and other careers.
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.