BA (Hons) Sociology
Why choose this course?
- In the 2012 National Student Survey, our students said they were 90% satisfied overall with how enthusiastic we were in our teaching.
- You'll have the opportunity to go on an Erasmus Exchange to Charles University in Prague, to look at sociological issues from an international perspective.
- You'll get to choose from a range of topics looking at traditional as well as current sociological issues - from social inequality and race and ethnicity to terrorism and the cult of celebrity.
- You'll be taught by experienced teachers who are specialists in their field.
- They're also approachable and will give you lots of support. We were highly commended by the external examiner in our latest annual report.
- Our students consistently do well - we've got an excellent record for results.
Fact file
UCAS code: L300
Start date: If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in: September 2012 If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in: September 2012
Course length: Full time: Three years Part time: Up to six years
Campus: Kedleston Road, Derby
This course is available to international students
About this course
Have you ever wondered:
- why men and women get different rates of pay for doing the same job?
- why racism exists?
- why people kill and die for religious beliefs?
- where our ideas about sex, death, family, criminality and normality come from?
- why music or sport or fashion or celebrity matter so much to us?
If so, you're already thinking like a sociologist. During this course, you'll find out the answers to these questions and look more closely at what makes our society tick. You'll also gain skills in interviewing people and analysing facts and figures - skills that employers across the job market are looking for.
We'll use a range of teaching methods to bring the subject alive and to help you achieve your best - from lectures and seminars to film and video. You'll be assessed in different ways so that you have a chance to show your individual strengths and abilities. You'll be developing your oral communication skills as well as your written communication, and you'll take part in groupwork.
You'll have a personal tutor to help you throughout your degree and all our staff are really approachable and can be easily contacted.
You'll develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to help you analyse social issues, ranging from the most everyday or intimate experiences, to those linked to global or historical questions. By the end of the course, you'll have practical research skills, the ability to critically analyse arguments and images, as well as the confidence to defend and justify your own opinions.
You can focus on issues that interest you, gaining deeper insight and building up your knowledge and expertise. You'll explore questions of:
- deviance - what gets defined as criminal and why?
- gender - how sexist is our supposedly post-feminist society?
- ethnicity - why don't we talk about ethnic majorities?
- inequality - how come our classes society is getting even more unequal?
Studying sociology will help you to think critically and ethically. You'll look at previous theories on changes in society and culture which will help you to consider how the modern world has developed and how we can bring about change.
You'll do research into the 'real world' of society through your independent studies module. So you'll explore an area you're interested in through fieldwork or data collection and will use the skills you've developed when you learn about research methods. It's a great opportunity to undertake research and put your knowledge to practical use. The skills you develop will be useful in your future career.
During stage two, you'll have the opportunity to study Sociology abroad for one semester, as part of our ERASMUS programme. Our students currently go to Charles University in Prague. This will help you to look at sociological issues from different perspectives, broaden your experience and develop your confidence. You'll gain an international perspective and develop a range of life skills that will look great on your CV, helping you to stand out in the job market when you graduate.
What you will cover
Stage one
You'll study these modules:
- Researching the Social World
- Popular Culture
- Introduction to Social Inequalities
- Gender and Society
- Work, Employment and Society
- Thinking Sociologically
Stage two
You'll study these modules:
- Doing Qualitative Research
- Capitalism, Culture and Class: Social Theory in Classical Modernity
- Researching People: Patterns and Trends
- Placement for Employability and Reflective Practice
And you'll choose two from these modules:
- Race, Ethnicity and British Society
- Origins of Modern Terrorism: Struggle and Conflict in the 20th Century
- Understanding Supernatural Belief and New Spiritualities
- Family Forms and Personal Ties
- Visual Cultures
- Religion and Society
- Gender and Work: Feminist Perspectives
Stage three
You'll study these modules:
And you'll choose three of these modules:
- Religious and Ethnic Minorities
- Terrorism: the World and the Sociological Imagination
- Gender and Violence
- Humour and Society
- Violence and Belief: Apocalypse and Conspiracy
- Science, Technology and Society
- Globalisation and Social Change
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- Women and Popular Culture
- Applied Research Project
- Placement for Graduate Employability
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are usually 220 UCAS points, of which at least 180 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.
We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.
We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.
We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.
Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C (which must include English and Maths) or equivalent level 2 qualifications.
The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.
How to apply
UK/EU students
- Full time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
- Part time students should apply directly to the University.
International students
- If you want to start in September, you usually need to apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Information for international applicants
Fees and finance
Fees for 2013/14
This is a classroom based course.
UK/EU students
- Full time: £7,700 (each year)
We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.
How you will learn
How you'll learn
Class-based sessions involve lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops.
Class contact approximately 12 hours per week.
How you're assessed
By a mix of coursework (portfolios, projects, essays, presentations) and examinations.
Fieldtrips
Visits to community groups and social environments in rural and urban settings.
Work placements
Optional work placements available in second and third years of study.
Careers and employability
You could work in a range of areas including social services, education, criminal justice, welfare services, national and local government, counselling, charities and the voluntary sector. Or you might want to become a charity fundraiser, community development worker, counsellor, lecturer, housing officer, teacher, police officer, probation officer, researcher, social worker or welfare rights adviser.
What our students say
'An excellent subject with excellent staff'
Sherrick Reid
'Eye opening'
Maynard Mutokonyi
'Friendly and supportive learning environment'
'I enjoyed my course and it gave me the ability and confidence to go on to do research.'
'Tutors are friendly, approachable and provide excellent support'
