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BA

Sociology BA (Hons)

Whether you're interested in understanding individual behaviour or large-scale social change, as a student of Sociology you'll learn how society is structured and develops through critical engagement with the major social and political issues of our time.

How to apply Apply via UCAS

Course details

Start date

Degree Type

BA

UCAS Code

L300

Course length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

AAB

Tuition Fees

  • Home (Full-time): per year
  • Overseas (Full-time): per year

Overview

Sociology aims to understand the relationships between individual people and the wider cultural and institutional contexts within which they live. It is concerned with the nature of what we refer to as "society", how it shapes the way in which we live and, in turn, how it is shaped by our individual and collective action. As a student of Sociology, you will join a dynamic learning and research community, which includes internationally recognised experts actively involved in collaborative projects focused on local, national and international issues. We are defined by our curiosity about the issues that impact the world around us and our drive to use our work to bring about positive social change. Drawing on this expertise, this course explores key social issues that affect our everyday lives including education, employment, health, criminality, race, gender and digital technologies. Alongside these kinds of topics, you will learn about historical and contemporary concepts that define sociological thought and place them within their social and political contexts. You will also learn how to design and carry out sociological research through research projects carried out in the second and final year of study. We offer the option to undertake a placement with a local community organisation to deploy your knowledge in an applied setting.

Course details

Start date

Degree Type

BA

UCAS Code

L300

Course length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

AAB

Tuition Fees

  • Home (Full-time): per year
  • Overseas (Full-time): per year

What you'll study

This course explores key social issues that affect our everyday lives including education, employment, health, criminality, race, gender and digital technologies.

Core modules

  • Classical Sociological Theory

    will introduce you to key sociological concepts and ideas that form the basis of a sociological perspective for understanding the world. Starting with classical sociological work from the 19th and early 20th centuries, the module demonstrates how sociological ideas have developed over time through refinement, evaluation and critique.

  • Critical Scholarship in the Social Sciences

    supports the transition to university-level study by helping you develop the foundational academic skills that are needed throughout your degree. Through it you will learn key academic conventions and skills, for example: reading and evaluation; writing and argument; presentation and discussion; and so on.

  • Social Research Methods

    examines the concept of social research and practice-based inquiry. You will learn how to produce and analyse different kinds of data and develop some basic practical skills in designing and carrying out social research yourself.

  • Societies in Transition

    offers a formative examination of modern societies and aspects of contemporary social life. It provides the tools to reflect upon the dynamic nature of societies, including the bases for social transformation and change.

Core modules

  • Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory

    engages with contemporary theoretical perspectives and issues in the field of sociology. In doing so, you will learn to develop evaluations and critiques of sociological thought grounded in both conceptual discussion and empirical observation.

  • Research Methods in Action

    supports your development of applied research skills. At the core of the module is a group-based research project you design and carry out on a topic of your choosing. In addition, you will learn a range of methods and techniques for analysing both quantitative (statistics) and qualitative (textual / verbal / visual) data.

Optional modules

  • In recent years optional modules have included: Communities and Social JusticeContemporary Criminological TheoryCrime, Power and Social InequalitiesPolicing and PoliceSelf, Identity and SocietySociology of EducationSociology of Health and MedicineViolence and Abuse in Society.

Core modules

  • Dissertation project

    on a topic of your choosing, in the area of Criminology, Sociology or Social Policy. Your final 10,000-word dissertation thesis comprises one third of your final-year mark and is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in a topic of personal interest or relevance to a future career area.

Optional modules

  • In recent years optional modules have included: Community PlacementCyberculture and CybercrimeDrugs and SocietyFeminist Anti-Violence Activism: Theory in ActionGlobalisation and the Sex IndustryJustice, Violence and AbuseRace, Racism and Social Justice in BritainSociology of Reproduction and ParenthoodThe Body as Data: Technology, Power and Human RightsYouth in Crisis: Young People, Crime and Justice.

Learning

Our BA Sociology degree is taught through a mix of lectures, small-group seminars, research-based workshops, individual supervision and guided independent work. We also run a regular programme of research-focused lectures and seminars that are additional opportunities to learn about Sociology beyond your taught modules. You will have typically have 8-10 contact hours a week, with the remainder of your study time focused on reading, preparing for classes, writing assessments and so on. As your studies progress, you will be afforded greater responsibility and discretion over your work, for example, developing projects or essays on topics of your choosing related to the themes of the modules you study. As such, over the course of the degree, you will develop skills in independent learning, organisation and motivation, preparing you for graduate employment at the end of your degree.

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Assessment

Assessment is largely coursework-based, with work such as essays, academic posters, reports, portfolios, reflections and presentations accounting for approximately 80% of your final grade. Assessments aim to assess your knowledge and understanding in an authentic manner, as well as helping you develop your skills in critical thinking, analysis and communication. There are also regular opportunities for practice and feedback, for example: practice essays; essay plans; one-to-one and group tutorials; and so on.

Entry requirements

Fees & Funding

Choose which fees you want to see:

Home / Island students

per year

International / EU Students

per year

Home / Island students

Part Time - per year

International / EU Students

Part Time - per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

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Department Information

  • The field of Sociology helps us to understand the ways in which human behaviour is shaped by the way we think, feel and respond to different social settings. Our courses apply sociological theory to the issues that affect our daily lives from education, work and families to crime, physical and mental health, and culture. Sociology at Durham will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, others and the world around you. Learning takes place in the Department of Sociology, a dynamic learning and research community of students and staff. We take a research-led approach to learning which means that courses are informed by subject specialists who contribute to shaping society through their innovative, socially conscious research. We offer a BA in Sociology or a joint honours degree in Anthropology and Sociology, and students on the BA Education Studies or the BA Combined Honours Social Sciences can choose sociology modules as part of a broader social sciences curriculum. You will also benefit from hands-on work placements, community-based modules and international study opportunities. Whichever route you travel, flexible pathways can be chosen to suit your interests and career goals. For more information see our department pages.

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    Facilities

    The Department of Sociology is located at Old Elvet, near the medieval Elvet Bridge, and within easy walking distance of the Students’ Union, University Colleges and Durham’s historic centre with its Castle and Cathedral. Our buildings includes a student common space and networked computer access for our students to use.

    • Bill Bryson library

      Durham University library is one of the best in northern Britain and is well resourced with books, eBooks and journals supporting all of our areas of study.

    • Virtual learning

      We make extensive use of Learn Ultra, the University’s virtual learning environment, and teach in facilities across the whole Durham campus.

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Career Opportunities

Of those UK/EU students who graduated in 2022/23

85%

in work or further study.

88%

in high and medium skilled employment.

£32,000

is the average salary.

HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk

Employability

The combination of sociological knowledge and transferable skills gained during your studies will prepare you for a career in many different sectors. From interpreting and evaluating information to analysing situations and constructing a persuasive argument, these skills are highly valued by employers and will give you a competitive edge. Sociology graduates work in a wide range of settings all over the world, including health and welfare, local and central government and the Civil Service, education, the police, social research, the media and non-profit organisations. Many recent graduates from the Department have progressed to careers with high-profile employers including M&S, Mencap, Accenture and Unilever. Others have moved on to postgraduate study and academic research.

More Information

The Department offers two single honours BA programmes in Criminology and Sociology, as well as a Joint Honours Programme in Anthropology and Sociology.

Learn more about why the department of Sociology is a great place to study

Your next steps

Apply via UCAS

  • Institution code: D86

  • UCAS code: L300

Apply now

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