Undergraduate Course

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2025/26)

International fee

£TBC per year (2025/26)

UCAS points

112 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

V1L3

Start date

September

Location

Kedleston Road and One Friar Gate Square, Derby Campus

As a Sociology student, you’ll take critical insight of a traditional academic subject and apply it to life as it is lived today and the forces that shape our lives. You’ll explore inequalities, power, and pressing social problems. You’ll develop the skills, insight and ambition to not just understand the complexities of modern societies but to intervene in them and make a positive difference to the life of others. The world we live is changing rapidly and sociology is a dynamic and evolving subject t best placed to plot global change and how this impacts nations, communities and individuals. Sociology is the study of us – of how we live and how we might. 

You’ll combine this with studying History in a city and county with a strong historical heritage – Derby and Derbyshire have always been an important centre for trade, religious expression, industry and enlightenment thought. Our History courses explore these key ideas and themes both within our region and across the globe. You’ll study an exciting range of modules that consider society, culture, politics and economics from the sixteenth century to the modern day. 

A global perspective

You can enhance your knowledge through work placements, community engagement, an active student society, and fascinating guest speakers and relevant study visits we will give you an environment in which to understand the many applications of your subjects. Additionally, you can enrich your perspectives and broaden your horizons by taking up the opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad. 

1stfor student satisfactionHistory subject area, Complete University Guide 2025
Top15for graduate prospects - Sociology subject areaTimes and Sunday Times University Good University Guide 2025
A student looking at a painting in Derby Museum.

Academic expertise 

Our Sociology courses are taught by a team that includes experienced researchers whose work is shedding new light on some of the most pressing issues facing our society.

They are recognised for their expertise in research areas such as social policy, childhood and war, extremism and counter terrorism, conspiracy theory, politics and social movements, postcolonialism and globalisation, Marxism, feminism, and social theory. They regularly publish their research findings, deliver conference papers internationally, and contribute to local, national, and international media. 

As a Sociology student, you can take part in regular guest lectures and departmental research seminars delivered by leading professionals and eminent academics from other institutions.

Our History teaching is underpinned by active research and scholarship. Your tutors continue to develop their expertise through research, leading to conference papers and the publication of books and articles. This enables us to support you in your development as a student researcher, and for you to develop the confidence to share your own research with others   

Choose your pathway

Studying a History and Sociology Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally.

You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally.   

In this pathway, you study History and Sociology equally.

In this pathway, History is the major subject and Sociology is the minor subject.

In this pathway, Sociology is the major subject and History is the minor subject.

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Big spaces for big ideas

Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax at Basecamp, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.

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What you will study

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

For History modules you’ll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, study visits and co-curricular learning. 

As a Sociology student, you’ll learn through: 

We are determined to keep things fresh and interesting and involve projects that include the close reading of music videos, the design of your own conspiracy theory, the production of wikis and an extended final year piece of research in which you showcase your sociological interest in a topic of your choice.

How you are assessed 

The History modules at Derby have a wide range of assessments that are varied and reflect the different academic and transferable skills of History graduates. We have designed our assessments to reflect the key skills of the historical discipline as well as skills that will prepare you for life beyond university. Our commitment to students as researchers, public history, global history and co-production has shaped our assessment strategy, and we have designed our assessments so that you are building expertise through the degree.

Our Sociology modules will be assessed through a broad range of methods which allows you to demonstrate your individual strengths and abilities. Our assessment strategy does not include exams, but does involve:

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Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Learn more

Who will teach you

Dr Helen Brocklehurst
Programme leader

Helen Brocklehurst lectures in Social Science and is Programme Leader for Joint Honours Politics. She teaches modules at masters and undergraduate level which also draw upon her research interests in security, conflict and terrorism; gender and childhood; and the politics of knowledge.

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Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112
A LevelBBC
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£TBC per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

As both History and Sociology deliver such a broad spectrum of skills and insights, it is no surprise to find our graduates excelling in a wide variety of careers where critical thinking, analytical know-how and research abilities are valued.

Our graduates have used their degree to become teachers, lecturers, social workers, probation officers, civil servants, social researchers, business owners, marketeers, counsellors, charity workers, and community officers as well as working in museums, archives, libraries and the heritage sector – to name but a few roles. They have also found work in retail management, public relations, banking, welfare advice, accountancy and systems analysis.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

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96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

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Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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