MSc
MSc Sociology
This academically-stimulating course draws on current research to examine the ways in which societies, cultures, institutions and practices are formed, organised and constituted, and how they change over time.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
MSc
Program Code
L3KF09
Course length
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Typical offer
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): 12,250 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): 28,250 per year
Overview
The MSc in Sociology equips you with an advanced and critical understanding of sociological theories and perspectives, and how they are applied to contemporary issues and social transformations. It paves the way into careers in a range of fields, from government and NGOs to charitable organisations, social research and teaching. The analytical focus of the MSc also offers a route into academic research. Through a range of engaging learning approaches, you will begin to view the world in a different way. You will explore the interrelationships of power, social divisions, social diversity and social inequality and their application to social action and public sociology. Course content draws directly on the research specialisms of internationally renowned experts in the Department. These areas of specialism link to many important issues in contemporary society, from gender, violence and abuse to health and social theory, education and inequalities to communities and social justice. Core modules such as 'Public Sociology: Theory and Practice' develop your understanding of the use of sociological inquiry to inform social change in the contemporary world, while 'Researching Society, Policy and Practice' provides a thorough grounding in the main approaches and methods of social research, and how it is used to inform social welfare policy and practice. The wide selection of optional modules on offer allows you to tailor your learning to your interests and career aspirations, and the MSc dissertation is a further opportunity to explore a particular area of sociology in greater depth. As the course progresses you will develop your own approaches to research, taking into consideration the methodological, epistemological and ethical issues inherent in sociological research, activism and public engagement in contemporary societies.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
MSc
Program Code
L3KF09
Course length
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Typical offer
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): 12,250 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): 28,250 per year
What you'll study
Core modules
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Dissertation
The 15,000-word gives you the opportunity to explore and write about a suitable subject of your choice under the guidance of a supervisor, and to use the techniques developed in the research modules. It enables you to demonstrate your capacity for independent thought, critical thinking and analysis.
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Public Sociology: Theory and Practice
examines contemporary sociological theories and how they apply to real-world issues and social transformations in modern society. This module places sociological theories in historical contexts, exploring different theories of social divisions, examining the concepts of self and identity, and assessing how theorists have sought to account for recent social changes.
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Researching Society, Policy and Practice
develops your critical understanding of main approaches and methods of social research, and the skills used in this area. The module makes particular reference to the use of research in social welfare practice settings within an ethical framework, exploring areas such as research questions, sampling, methods of data collection and analysis, and interpretation.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included:
Gender, Violence and AbuseSocial Policy and SocietyCommunities, Civil Society and Social JusticeEducation and Social InequalitySociology of Health and IllnessParticipatory Action ResearchComputational Social ScienceInterdisciplinary Perspectives and Practices Across Social ResearchQuantitative Methods and AnalysisQualitative Methods and AnalysisPrisons, Crime and JusticePlacementA language module
Learning
Most teaching involves a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops. Lectures introduce key concepts, theories and current debates. Seminars and workshops include interactive opportunities to discuss your reading, learning and research. Modules that teach the use of computer software packages include practical sessions, enabling you to carry out exercises with support. Independent learning supports this teaching, including through further reading and research. To support this, you will have access to a variety of learning resources, including learning spaces in libraries, computers, databases, journals and books. In addition, all teaching staff are available for two allocated hours each week for student support. You will also be assigned a named supervisor for your dissertation to support you through individual tutorials.Assessment
The majority of the MSc is assessed through coursework, and this takes a variety of forms depending on the modules studied. Assessment methods include written assignments, statistical/computer-based projects, presentations, portfolios, reflective journals and research proposals. Optional statistics modules may require you to complete specific analyses with more structured instructions. The 15,000-word MSc dissertation, carried out under the guidance of a supervisor, makes up one-third of your credits.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
12,250 per year
International / EU Students
28,250 per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - 6,800 per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - 15,600 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).
Find out moreDepartment Information
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The Department of Sociology carries out significant research and teaching that considers the world from a social perspective. We use the knowledge gained from our research into human behaviour to contribute to vital policy and practice that addresses contemporary social challenges. These ever-present challenges range from social inequality and its implications for social mobility, education and health as well as violence, abuse, and the role of responses from bodies such as governments and agencies. We offer postgraduate taught masters courses in Sociology, Social Work and Social Research Methods. We also offer masters by research and doctorates by research in the areas of Communities and Social Justice; Higher Education and Social Inequality; Violence and Abuse; Health and Social Theory; Criminal Justice, Social Harm and Inequalities. Our academic staff have a vast pool of expertise in innovative and socially conscious research in areas ranging from Criminology and Sociology through Social Policy to Social Work and Community and Youth Work. We are also home to prestigious research centres that are respected for the contribution they make to the field of sociology including the Centre for Social Justice and Community Action and the Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
The Department is located in the centre of Durham. Our main building is 32 Old Elvet and is within walking distance of the Students’ Union, University Colleges and the city’s castle and cathedral. The buildings include a student common space, networked computer access and our main teaching and learning offices. Our University library is one of the best in northern Britain and offers a wide range of books, ebooks and journals that support all of our areas of study. We also make extensive use of Learn Ultra, the University’s virtual learning environment.
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