University of Brighton
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Sociology
BA(Hons)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 3 years

    Part-time: 6 years

    UCAS code L300

    About the course

    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.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2014. Entry requirements for students thinking about starting a course in 2013 can be found in the online prospectus. 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.

  • 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

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    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.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.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

  • Location

    Location Help Falmer

    Our Falmer campus is located on the edge of the South Downs National Park on the outskirts of Brighton. Approximately 7,000 students are based here.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • 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 service website.

  • More...

    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.

Sociology

Applying for 2013 entry

We have limited places available on this course.

Please call us for advice 01273 644644

Application process
Book your open day place
Find out more

01273 644517
Email sassenq@brighton.ac.uk

The study of society and culture

Our degree offers you new ways of thinking about the social world by applying sociological theories and concepts to current topics that interest you. 

 

Visit the school that delivers this course

Visit our sociology pages for more information.