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Discover what shapes societies and drives change with our BA Sociology with Year Abroad. Explore identity, inequality, and culture, gaining skills to challenge the status quo and make a real impact on the world.
Equipped with essential critical thinking and analytical skills, you’ll be ready to address societal challenges. You’ll graduate prepared to influence policy, combat inequality, and pursue a career dedicated to driving social change and making a significant impact.
This course has given me the freedom to discover new passions and future aspirations, with a wide-ranging list of modules spanning across different disciplines. I have been incredibly impressed with how the department encourages their students to reach their full potential, preparing students for their dissertations right from the start.
Discover more about your chosen subject whilst exploring our green campus.
The BA Sociology with Year Abroad at the University of Birmingham stands out for its bold approach to understanding society and driving change. You’ll explore identity, inequality, and culture, tackling the big questions shaping our world today and graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to challenge the status quo and make a real difference in society.
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.
The course combines lectures, seminars, and group work, with options for placements or tailored research projects to match your interests.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways across your degree. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. Assessment methods will vary within each module and may include:written coursework, such as essaysformal examsgroup work
You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.
Contact hours: For all undergraduate modules students usually attend 1 lecture and 1 seminar per week.
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 |
---|---|---|
Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Science in Action Part I | 10 | Semester 1 |
Social Research I (Part 1) A | 10 | Semester 1 |
Sociology of Everyday Life | 20 | Semester 1 |
The Sociological Imagination | 20 | Semester 1 |
Crime, Justice and Society | 20 | Semester 2 |
Introduction to Social Divisions | 20 | Semester 2 |
Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Science in Action Part 2 | 10 | Semester 2 |
Social Research I (Part 2) A | 10 | Semester 2 |
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
6,5,5 at Higher Level, to include English with a minimum of 32 points overall.
BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all considered.
all subjects considered; Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.
Number of A Levels: 3
General Studies: Not considered
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.
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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.
As the most sought-after UK university by leading graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024), a Sociology degree with a year abroad from Birmingham paves the way to a variety of career opportunities in public policy, social research, education, and more. Our graduates are highly regarded for their critical thinking, cultural awareness, and problem-solving abilities. With personalized career support, placement opportunities, and hands-on experience, you’ll be well-prepared to address societal challenges and make a meaningful impact in your chosen field.
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.