Sociology BA(Hons)

Course structure

The Sociology BA(Hons) is designed to cover three main areas: theory, research skills and specialist knowledge. You learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops, and receive tutorial support in person and by email.

Assessment varies according to module, but it variously takes the form of coursework essays, examinations, literature reviews and seminar presentations. You also have to complete a dissertation in your third year.

You have the opportunity to do a voluntary work placement in year 2 and also to enrol on our international exchange programme, which allows you to study in Spain or Sweden for a part of your degree.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up-to-date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you will be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

Year 1

Your first year will introduce you to the theories and debates which underpin sociology as a discipline. You will also learn about social inequality, globalisation and the research methods necessary to investigate such issues.

Core modules

• Sociological Imaginations
• Foundations of Sociology
• Sociology Live: Interrogating Current Social Problems
• Contemporary Social Inequalities
• Introduction to Research Methods

Options*

• Developmental Psychology
• Theories of Crime
• Social Policy: Needs and Problems
• Foundations in World Politics

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Year 2

In the second year, you will critically engage with contemporary sociological theories and gain practical research experience in project management, fieldwork and data analysis. This will help you to prepare for your independent project in third year.

Community Engagement: Theory into Practice gives you the chance to do a voluntary work placement with a local organisation. It is an opportunity to put your knowledge and skills into practice and to gain insight into working life.

Core modules

• Theorising the Social World
• Sociology and the Life Course
• Researching Social and Cultural Life
• Mobilisation, Movements and Protest

Options*

• Culture, Media and Identities
• Global Cultures
• Sociology Skills
• Community Engagement: Theory into Practice

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

The final year of the course allows you to specialise, helping you to create your own employment pathway and to develop as a social researcher.

Modules

• Dissertation
• Sociology Topic 1
• Sociology Topic 2
• Sociology Topic 3
• Sociology Topic 4

Volunteering 

Volunteering is a great opportunity to develop your vocational skills and gain practical work experience while contributing to the wider community. Our award-winning Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP) can pair you up with a local organisation and find a volunteering placement that is right for you.

The optional Community Engagement module in year 2 allows you to incorporate volunteering in your degree programme. It involves 30 to 50 hours of work with a not-for-profit or community organisation that reflects your academic interests and career aspirations.

Previous students have had volunteering roles including:

• activity volunteer for CCHF All About Kids
• centre volunteer for the Centre for Ecotherapy
• communication supporter for Connect
• listening and support volunteer for the Samaritans
• support volunteer for the MS Society
• volunteer for Fresh Start
• volunteer befriender for the Alzheimer's Society.

CUPP is an award-winning project that aims to tackle disadvantage and promote sustainable development through partnership with local organisations

Staff profile

Natalie Pitimson Course leader

"Sociology can be broadly understood as the study of how society is organised and how we experience life within it. I teach across a broad range of the modules in the undergraduate programme and my own areas of research cover issues related to the sociology of the internet and the sociology of death and dying."

International requirements

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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 DBS checks, 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 check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus