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.

Modules

Core modules

• Sociological Imaginations

  This module will introduce you to contemporary ‘sociological imaginations’ of the social world and will give you the opportunity to apply sociological theories and concepts to contemporary topics. You'll develop your ability to think sociologically, by first understanding key sociological concepts and then exploring how these are applied in contemporary sociological research examples.

• Foundations of Sociology

  This module will equip you with an understanding of traditional sociological theory and its applications today. You'll be introduced to the foundations of sociology including key thinkers, key debates, and main theoretical perspectives.

  The module will examine the development of classical ideas and the continued relevance for different sociological perspectives throughout the twentieth century. Recent challenges to traditional sociological theory will also be examined and assessed.

• Sociology Live: Interrogating Current Social Problems

  This module offers a dynamic introduction to sociology as a ‘live’ discipline. It draws on ‘live’ social issues to explore the construction of social problems and examines how sociology is ‘done’ by offering unique insight into the working practices of our resident sociologists as they confront real life problems. You will contribute to the current ‘live’ debates of sociology by producing your own sociological accounts of the world in non-traditional forms, for example podcasts, blogs, vlogs or zines.

• Contemporary Social Inequalities

  This module will provide you with the theoretical and conceptual tools to confront normative/normalising explanations of difference and inequality. You'll understand the ways that ‘differences’ and inequalities are formed and their consequences for everyday lived realities.

• Introduction to Research Methods

  The module introduces you to the range of research methods used in the social sciences and will enable you to develop the skills necessary to collect and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data.

Options*

• Developmental Psychology

  The module will introduce you to key theories and topics in child development and lifespan development. You'll examine issues from infancy through middle-childhood to adulthood to explore how people develop through time. The module provides an historical, biological, social and cultural context for studying child development, and life-span development to help you frame the theoretical perspectives presented.

• Theories of Crime

  On this module you will examine criminological theories from an historical perspective, and gain an understanding of the political, social and cultural context in which different theories were developed, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their current application.

• Social Policy: Needs and Problems

  On this module you will gain the necessary theoretical tools to critically engage with the concepts of human needs and social problems, including concepts such as human rights and social construction. You'll explore themes that will allow you to grow your understanding of current social problems and the relationship to these to human needs.

• Foundations in World Politics

  This module will introduce you to a critical historical perspective on the modern international political system. You will examine how the peoples and governments of the world came to be linked through a global system by reviewing some major events and processes of international history. By taking a long view of modern politics you'll place world politics in its historical context. The key topics explored include the origins of the international political system, imperial expansion, conflict, global governance, controversy and historiography.

*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

Options*

• Culture, Media and Identities
• Global Cultures
• Sociology Skills
• Community Engagement: Theory into Practice
• Mobilisations, Movements and Protest
• Gender and Power

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

Final year

The final year enables you to explore areas of sociological interest and research within the school. For each Sociology Topic module, you will apply concepts and theories learned during your studies to a specific area, analyse research material and reach your own conclusions. You'll be able to specialise in subjects that really interest you, helping 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.

Course 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 us for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly. You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page.

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.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus