Sociology BA(Hons)

Overview

Sociology is about getting behind the news to critically engage with today's issues, offering new ways of thinking about the social world. What effect does social networking have on activism? Why is there such an upsurge in protests across the world? What questions do you have about society today? We help you study these and many more questions, exploring current social topics.

Course duration
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 6 years

UCAS code L300
Course content

Course structure

Our degree introduces you to the foundations of sociology and you gain current conceptual and theoretical knowledge whilst practicing research skills. You can specialise in specific areas and study subjects of current interest taught by staff actively researching the field.

Areas of study

In the first year sociology is explored through current debates, research methods, and theoretical foundations of the subject. You choose from a range of modules including politics, social policy and criminology.
In the second year you critically engage with contemporary sociological theories as well as acquiring research skills. Students study issues across the life course from birth to death. You explore how individuals form communities, and organise action and protest. School research projects provide practical research experience: project management, fieldwork and interviewing, data handling and analysis. Practical work experience is available through the Community Universities Partnership Programme (CUPP), and students can undertake local voluntary activities completing small scale research projects, gathering information and producing research reports.
In the final year you specialise in topics of your choice. Studying a particular subject in depth helps create your own employment pathway and the dissertation enables you to become a specialist in your subject and develop as a social researcher.

Syllabus

Year 1
Sociological Imaginations
Understanding Globalisation
Foundations of Sociology
Contemporary Social Inequalities
Research Methods
Option
Year 2
Theorising the Social World
Mobilisation, Social Movements and Protest
Sociology and the Life course
Sociology Research Project
Personal and Community Development or Analysis and Review
Option
Year 3
Choice of Sociology Topics; for example, Death and Society; The Body; Sociology of Religion; Environment and Society; Childhood; Mobile Lives; Life Style Media; Sociology of Leisure; Families and Parenting; Social Movements; Human Rights; Science and culture; Gender and sexuality.
Dissertation
Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
A-levels:
BBB.
BTEC
DDM.
International Baccalaureate:
32 points.
Access to HE Diploma
pass (at least 45 credits at level 3), with 18 credits at merit or above. Level 3 units in sociology preferred.
GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access Equivalent
at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.
Foundation degree/HND
/HNC may enable you to start the course in year 2.
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.
Location

Location Falmer
Career opportunities

This degree offers transferable skills, useful for a range of careers in social research, social work, the police, local government and civil service, journalism, environmental and management, teaching, voluntary sector, housing and welfare services, and progression to postgraduate study.

Visit the careers centre website.
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

BA(Hons) Sociology [L1EA028]

UK/EU (Full Time) 9,000 GBP
Island Students (Full Time) 9,000 GBP
International (Full Time) 12,900 GBP
More details

Excellent Facilities

The School of Applied Social Science is located on the attractive Falmer campus, only four miles from central Brighton. Facilities at Falmer include a state of the art computer centre, extensive library and a media resources centre for student use.

Other student support services include the university’s careers centre, welfare service, a counselling service, chaplaincy and childcare provision.

Research

Our lecturers in social science are all involved in national and international research cultures, publishing and speaking to national and international audiences, and are frequently reported in local, national and international media.

Ongoing research work informs our teaching, making it contemporary, innovative and dynamic.

Our degrees enable students to acquire the essential research skills needed for investigating experience and behaviour, supporting students to develop the ability to conduct research independently.

Community participation and development

Teaching and research within the School of Applied Social Science is supported by our links with local communities.

The School’s close working relationship with the university’s Community University Partnership project (Cupp) allows us to offer our undergraduate students the opportunity to combine practical experience within a community or voluntary organisation with academic study.

The Community Participation and Development (CPD) module offers the opportunity to explore some of your personal values and aspirations while working for 30 to 50 hours on a relevant placement. Staff and students provide their skills and expertise, working alongside community organisations to help them achieve their aims. For example students on criminology courses may wish to work with a crime prevention organisation while sociology students may wish to work in a homeless shelter or a local pressure group.

It is offered in 10- and 20-credit modules at levels 2 and 3, and assessment is based on reflective as well as analytical assignments which encourage you to look at your own personal journey as well as the policy and practice of the organisation in which your placement is based.