Undergraduate Course

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

112 (September 2024 entry)112 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

LN36

Start date

September

Location

Kedleston Road and One Friar Gate Square, Derby Campus

Top5for satisfaction with feedbackSociology and Social Policy - Guardian University Guide 2024
Top10for teaching qualitySociology subject area - Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2024
Top20for assessment and feedbackSociology - National Student Survey 2023

How can performance in people be increased? How does this have a positive effect on a business? How has the modern world developed, where is it going, and how can we bring about change for the better?   

Develop the skills, insights and ambition to not just understand the complexity of modern societies but to intervene in them and make a positive difference to the lives of others. Alongside this, you’ll gain a contemporary perspective on human resource management and how the management of people is central to the needs of a business. 

At the forefront of change 

The world we live in is changing rapidly and sociology is a dynamic and evolving subject. It is best placed to plot global change and how this impacts nations, communities and individual lives. Sociology at the University of Derby offers you a fantastic opportunity to develop the skills, insights and ambition to not just understand the complexity of modern societies but to intervene in them and make a positive difference to the lives of others. 

Putting theory into practice 

You’ll have the opportunity to take a year-long placement in a Human Resource Management setting to put the skills you’ve learned into practice in a real-world environment. Alternatively, you can choose to study a semester abroad to explore Sociology on a global scale.

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Choose your pathway

Studying a Sociology and Human Resource Management 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 combination, Sociology is the major subject and Human Resource Management is the minor subject.

In this pathway, you study Sociology and Human Resource Management equally.

In this pathway, you study Human Resource Management and Sociology equally.

In this combination, Human Resource Management is the major subject and Sociology 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.

Discover your campusDiscover your campus

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 your Sociology modules, you’ll learn through a range of methods such as: 

For your Human Resource Management modules, you’ll learn through a range of method such as: 

We place great emphasis on real-world learning. We will use our academic expertise to make the links between theoretical Human Resource Management frameworks and the practicalities of the real business world. We have developed extensive links with the business community to enhance the practical focus. 

How you are assessed

You will be assessed through a broad range of methods which allows you to demonstrate your individual strengths and abilities. These include: 

Who will teach you

You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts.

Dr Helen Brocklehurst
Senior Lecturer

Helen is a Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences within the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences.

Email
h.brocklehurst@derby.ac.uk
View full staff profileView full staff profile
Rob Moon

Rob Moon
Senior Lecturer in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Rob Moon is a Senior Lecturer in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Rob was a design engineer with over 20 years’ experience within the global manufacturing industry, and has lectured extensively in Southern Africa, Europe and Bangladesh. Current research focusses on embedding work-related learning in the curriculum.

Email
r.j.moon@derby.ac.uk
View full staff profileView full staff profile
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Personal Academic Tutoring

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

Learn more

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112
A LevelBBC
T LevelMerit
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: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

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
T LevelMerit
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: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

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

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

You'll develop the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in fields such as: 

Careers and Employment Service  

Our Careers and Employment Service can help you boost your employment skills by connecting you with employers for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. They can also offer guidance on career options, CV writing, or starting your own business. 

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

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

Career Support Image

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.

Contact us Contact us

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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