Sociology - BSc (Hons)
Why study this course?
In one of the most culturally diverse and socially complex cities in the world, you'll be introduced to ideas on globalisation, social inequality, identity, and ethnicity and race. As you prepare for social and public policy careers in the private, public or voluntary sectors, you'll learn skills to address multidisciplinary concerns relevant to a variety of public issues and have opportunities to take up a work placement and to study in other European countries. By the end of the course you'll be qualified to apply sociological perspectives, concepts and research methods to the most challenging social issues facing us today. In the most recent (2015-16) Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, 100% of graduates from this course were in work or further study within six months.
More about this course
The Sociology BSc (Hons) degree is equipped with practical and transferable skills for research in the real world. You'll develop a systematic understanding of the key aspects of sociology, including a coherent and detailed understanding of specific areas.
You'll learn the most up-to-date techniques to devise and sustain arguments and to solve problems, consider current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, and recognise the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of its knowledge.
Making use of scholarly reviews and primary sources, you'll critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data, and examine how to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Exercising initiative and personal responsibility, you'll develop skills for decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts.
By examining global inequalities in the twenty-first century and our work and working lives, you'll explore what is meant by the sociological imagination and also have the option to study homelessness and housing policy, gender and sexuality or to take up a sociology and social policy work placement.
The sociology placement, available to students entering their third year, is usually undertaken over the summer period, between years one and two.
The emphasis of this course is very much on the applied and practical nature of sociology and sociological research and a variety of teaching and learning methods are used to deliver a course that is both stimulating and relevant.
While developing the social experience, interests and understanding that stems from experiencing a diversity of educational, ethnic and social backgrounds, you'll receive the training, skills and understanding of specialist areas of study that are required to pursue a social and public policy-related career in national or local government, or the voluntary sector, or to apply the social research techniques you have learned to a wide range of private sector jobs.
Assessment
You're assessed via essays, individual and group research projects, a media practice project and a final dissertation.
Entry requirements
In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:
- a minimum of grades BBC in three A levels (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg Advanced Diploma)
- GCSE English Language at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above, or Higher Diploma (or equivalent)
If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the Social Work Extended degree.
Applications are welcome from mature students who have passed appropriate Access or other preparatory courses or have appropriate work experience.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.
These requirements may be varied in individual cases. Applications are welcome from mature students who have passed appropriate Access or other preparatory courses or have appropriate work experience.
Modular structure
If you're studying full-time, each year (level) is worth 120 credits.
Year 1 (Level 4) modules include:
- Researching Social Life
- Social Polocy and Society
- Social Problems and Social Issues
- Sociological Imagination
Year 2 (Level 5) modules include:
- Interactive Research Methods
- Self and Society
- Global Inequalities in the 21st Centiry
Options
- Crime, Media and Technology
- Youth, Resistance and Social Control
- Racism and Ethnicity
- Work and Working Lives
- Extension of Knowledge module
Year 3 (Level 6) modules include:
- Living Theory
- Sociology Dissertation
Options
- Gender and Sexuality
- Inclusion and Special Educational Needs
- Human Rights and Conflict
- Homelessness and Housing Policy
- Religion and the State
- Sociology and Social Policy Work Placement
- Extension of Knowledge Module
What our students say
"The positive benefit of undertaking this course is that it developed qualities that I can use in the workplace. It also provided me with the tools to be able to research issue. More importantly, the knowledge that I gained has made me a more effective communicator."
National Student Survey (NSS)
After the course
Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in social research and the public services, as well as a multitude of private sector jobs. Previous graduates have secured roles in human resources, prison services, medical research and events management.
A sociology degree is also a strong foundation for future postgraduate study in social work, social policy or early years teaching.
Moving to one campus
We're investing in an exciting, multimillion pound transformation of the London Metropolitan University campus, between 2016 and 2020. We’re moving all of our activity to one place, our current Holloway campus in Islington, north London. This will mean the teaching locations of some courses will change over time.
Whether you will be affected will depend on the duration of your course, when you start and your mode of study. The earliest moves affecting new students will be in September 2018. This may mean you begin your course at one location, but over the duration of the course you are relocated to one of our other campuses. Our intention is that no full-time student will change campus more than once during a course of typical duration.
All students will benefit from our move to one campus, which will allow us to develop state-of-the-art facilities, flexible teaching areas and stunning social spaces.
Additional costs
Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.
Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.
Unistats - key information set
Unistats is the official site that allows you to search for and compare data and information on university and college courses from across the UK. The widget(s) below draw data from the corresponding course on the Unistats website. If a course is taught both full-time and part-time, one widget for each mode of study will be displayed here.
How to apply
If you're a UK/EU applicant applying for full-time study you must apply via UCAS unless otherwise specified.
UK/EU applicants for part-time study should apply direct to the University.
Non-EU applicants for full-time study may choose to apply via UCAS or apply direct to the University. Non-EU applicants for part-time study should apply direct to the University, but please note that if you require a Tier 4 visa you are not able to study on a part-time basis.
When to apply
The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) accepts applications for full-time courses starting in September from one year before the start of the course. Our UCAS institution code is L68.
If you will be applying direct to the University you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only be able to consider your application if there are places available on the course.
Fees and key information
News and success stories
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Sociology Reader named as Sociologist of the Month
Dr Svetlana Stephenson has been named Sociologist of the Month by a prestigious peer-reviewed academic journal.
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Even more quality teaching at London Metropolitan University
The University is committed to delivering education to the highest standard. A focus is placed on supporting academic staff to become Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.
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Former student, Mzana Mthimkhulu, has had his first ebook published.
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Sociology taster day
London Met hosts insightful sociology taster day
The University hosted a taster day to give students an insight into studying Sociology at London Met.
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Analysing post-Brexit European Social Problems
A new book, published by London Met academics, is the first text to analyse the social impact Brexit will have on Europe.
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Gangs of Russia awarded top prize
Gangs of Russia: from the Streets to the Corridors of Power has won the Alec Nove Prize, it was announced today.
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Problems of Personal Identity? Aristotelian Researcher investigates
Researcher speaks at Aristotle Anniversary Year
Serap Keles speaks on 'Problems of Personal Identity and Aristotelian Interpretation'.
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London Met Academic presents at Oxford
News of Kelvin Knight's latest talks
Dr Kelvin Knight speaks on contemporary Aristotelianism in Poland, the Political Studies Association and Oxford.
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Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit research used in House of Lords debate
Domestic violence study quoted in Parliament
Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit research has been used in a House of Lords debate on the new Housing Bill.
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Black and white image of crowd
London Met's Dr Stephenson's Gangs of Russia selected as Times Higher Education Book of the Week
Svetlana Stephenson: the sociology academic uncovering the murky world of Russian gangs
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KORI is a community charity working in Gambia
Youth and social care degree students help to fund education for Abuko's young people
Students from Youth Work, Youth Studies and other social care courses have organised a campaign with KORI, a community charity, to fund education for young people living The Gambia.
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Debate on interactive control systems in the public sector
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Liz Kelly Image
In conversation - Professor Liz Kelly and Dr Anastasia Powell
Liz Kelly is professor at London Metropolitan University, where she is director of the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit.
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Don’t stigmatise the families of gang members
London Met criminologists have tabled an important report to MPs, looking at the role of the family in a young person's decision to join a gang.
Meet the team
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John Gabriel
Black and white portrait photo of male Lecturer John Gabriel -
Stuart Isaacs
Photograph of Male Lecturer Stuart Isaacs -
Dr Jane Lewis
Image of Jane Lewis -
Liz Kelly
Photograph of female professor Liz Kelly -
Brian McDonough
Photograph of male lecturer Brian McDonough -
Svetlana Stephenson
Photograph of Female Lecturer Svetlana Stephenson -
Gordana Uzelac
Photo of a female Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Sociology, Gordana Uzelac
Visit us
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Mini Open Day - Human Sciences, Social Sciences, Social Professions, Computing and Digital Media
Date 18 Apr 2018 Time 1:00 PM Venue London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway RdThis Mini Open Day is for those who are interested in studying with us on human sciences, social sciences, social professions, computing and digital media subjects (see subject area list below). We... more
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Date 3 May 2018 Time 6:00 PM Venue Tower Building
166-220 Holloway RoadTouring our Holloway campus* is an excellent way to experience life at London Metropolitan University. One of our student ambassadors will guide you around our state-of-the-art facilities, such as the... more
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Date 14 Jul 2018 Time 11:00 AM Venue This open day is for all students interested in studying an undergraduate course at London Metropolitan University. This is your chance to find out everything you need to know about studying... more