Sociology BA (Hons)
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UCAS Code: L300|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Sociology is the study of how society is organised. It looks at how this organization influences individual attitudes and behaviors. It also examines the impact on social relationships within and between societies. Sociology studies both the current state of the social world and its changes. It explores how people can create positive change.
This degree promotes critical thinking on key issues. These include inequalities, climate change, feminism, social media, AI, racism, poverty, and social justice. You will gain the knowledge and skills to become a change-maker.
Our Sociology degree combines social theory, research methods, and comparisons of different societies. It helps you question common-sense assumptions by addressing personal, local, national, and global issues. You'll gain real-world experience in applying theory and using research methods. You can also focus on social issues that interest you through individual projects.
In line with Liverpool Hope’s commitment to social justice, Sociology seeks to understand modern social issues. It challenges conventional wisdom and emphasises the need for change. Graduates can pursue careers in various industries that require strong interpersonal, research, and creative skills.
Course structure
Teaching on this sociology degree is structured into lectures, where our staff introduce and enliven key topics and issues; seminars, where group activities take place to understand and explore these topics; and small group tutorials, where you work with a tutor to develop your graduate skills, knowledge of sociology, and receive advice and guidance on your studies. You will also take part in workshops, guided reading activities, and use the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to go on field trips and meet regularly with your personal tutor.
You are expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group activities or assessments.
In your third year, you will also attend one-to-one meetings with your dissertation supervisor, who will guide you through the process of conducting an independent research project on a topic of your choice within sociology.
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your three years on the sociology degree, you will complete a variety of assessments, including essays, portfolios, reports, and individual and group presentations. In your final year, you will also undertake a dissertation research project on a topic of your choice within sociology.
You will receive written feedback on your assessments and have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor. In addition, you will receive regular formative verbal feedback on your academic performance from your tutor.
Year One
Your first year of study on the sociology degree provides a comprehensive introduction to sociology and encourages you to ‘think like a sociologist’ by helping you develop the knowledge and skills needed to foster a critical understanding of the social world and our place within it. The course covers the following areas:
Big Ideas in Sociology
You will explore some of the major ideas and issues in society today by developing your sociological toolkit. You will learn how to develop and apply a sociological imagination and engage with major debates, such as whether it is agency or structure that shapes society. Through this course, you will be encouraged to critically explore historic, contemporary, and future issues related to pressing social concerns, including climate change, work, employment and AI, globalisation, and social media. Altogether, these activities provide the knowledge and skills needed to understand and apply what sociology is for, what it can hope to achieve in the real world, and to communicate this in a variety of ways.
Social Divisions
In Semester 2, we examine some of the major social divisions that feature in contemporary society. Focus is placed on key divisions including social class, race/ethnicity, gender, and disability. Current issues and social movements, such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, provide insight into the corrosive impact of social inequalities and the need for social change. You will develop knowledge and skills by analysing society using a variety of media.
Single honours students also study two Faculty of Education and Social Sciences common core modules - 'Being Human' and 'Education and Society'.
Year Two
In your second year of the sociology degree, building on your first-year studies, you will develop an understanding and working knowledge of leading theoretical frameworks in sociology, alongside key approaches to research methods and the links between them. The course covers the following areas:
Key Thinkers
You will explore key thinkers from the classical sociological tradition. This part of the course examines the lasting contributions of classical-era thinkers to understanding contemporary social issues in the 21st century. Study then moves to social thinkers from the contemporary era, helping you develop a deeper understanding of thinkers and ‘Schools’ of thought within sociology and across the wider social sciences. You will also develop knowledge and skills in communicating ideas to suitable audiences.
Social Research in Action
This part of the course introduces the qualitative tradition of research within sociology, through which sociologists study the social world. You will gain ‘hands-on’ experience in conducting social research, including ethnography, interviews, and processing the data you gather.
The focus then shifts to quantitative research, where you will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work with, and critically analyse, big data. The research knowledge and skills gained in this course are highly desirable graduate attributes.
Year Three
In your third year of the sociology degree, you will develop an advanced understanding of social processes and issues within contemporary society. The course covers the following areas:
Advanced Research Courses
You will have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of specialist courses reflecting the research interests of staff within the School of Social Sciences. Subject to availability, these may include courses in areas such as the social aspects of death and dying, the sociology of stories/story-telling, gender and migration, critiques of contemporary capitalism, poverty and precarious employment, corporate power, health inequalities, and many others.
Research Project
Building on the knowledge and skills developed in your first and second years, you will conduct independent research on a sociological topic of your choice. This project will be undertaken under the supervision and guidance of a member of the sociology team. The project allows you to develop a wide range of graduate attributes.
Advanced Studies in Sociology
Alongside your independent research project, you will learn from the experiences of established researchers how to conduct social research. You will be supported in developing your project idea, conducting a literature review, navigating practical and ethical issues, analysing data, writing up your research, and completing your dissertation.
You will also deepen your knowledge and understanding of current issues and the role of sociology within contemporary society. The specific topics may vary each year depending on the research interests of staff within the sociology team.
If you are studying Sociology as a single honours degree, you will study a range of themes related to real-world issues across social sciences and education. Single honours students will also undertake a full dissertation.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BCC - BBB |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 104 - 120 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications |
| BTEC | DMM - DDM |
| Access to HE | 104 - 120 Tariff Points |
| IB | 26 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 104 - 120 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| Subject Requirements | No specific subject requirements |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
A sociology degree provides you with a broad skills base that is transferable to a wide variety of employment and career opportunities.
In addition to detailed subject-specific knowledge, you will develop skills that are vital for employment across many careers, including critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making, effective written and oral communication, time management, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. You will also gain the ability to reflect critically on a wide range of social issues and to research and analyse data in various forms. Many employers value these skills and recognise the benefits of employees having received a sociology education.
As noted by the British Sociological Association (BSA), traditional career pathways for graduates in sociology have included social work or other public sector welfare roles, such as the probation service. In practice, however, graduates of a sociology degree now pursue a diverse range of careers, including (but not limited to) roles within social services and wider caring professions; the civil service and local or national government; teaching and lecturing; third sector advocacy; think tanks and policy development; the police and criminal justice system; human resource management; media and creative industries; health promotion and public health; business and finance; ICT development; environmental campaigning; and international development. Graduates also have the potential to undertake postgraduate study and become professional sociologists.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are £9,535* for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,535*.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
*subject to Council approval.
Additional costs
On top of your tuition fees, you also need approximately £100 to purchase core textbooks.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2026/27 are £14,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is also available as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects: