Sociology BA, 3 years
Sociology is the study of humans in society. It sounds broad because it is, but it will take you into the most fascinating areas of social existence, all around the globe and across every aspect of modern life.
Course information
Typical offer BBB
UCAS code L300
Institute code L34
Taught by Sociology
15th in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (The Guardian University Guide 2023)
97% of students in work or further study six months after graduating (The Uni Guide 2021)
Course description
Course description
There is no better city than Leicester to explore fundamental sociological concepts such as ethnicity, migration and social class. With a range of vibrant and diverse communities including Narborough Road, “the most diverse street in Britain”, Leicester offers the perfect environment to develop your craft via observation, participation and guided reflection.
Our Sociology BA will provide you with a thorough grounding in research methods, theory and a variety of substantive topics. Throughout your degree you’ll be getting to grips with topical issues in contemporary society – based on areas where our academics are conducting cutting-edge research. You will develop transferable skills as well as more traditional academic competencies.
We provide many opportunities for you to enhance your degree. Under expert and supportive supervision you can conduct a sociological research project on a topic of your choice. You will collect data in the field, analyse it and write it up. You can also choose to study abroad, a great way of broadening your horizons and experiencing a different academic climate.
We were one of the first Sociology Departments to be established in the UK, and we now have an international reputation, a wealth of experience in teaching and an enviable research pedigree. Particular areas of expertise in sociology at Leicester include:
- Sport and deviance
- Children and childhood
- Identity, fashion and consumption
- Migration and citizenship
- The global sex trade and cosmetic surgery
- Age and the life course
- Happiness and well-being
Flexibility underpins our degree structure, which means that you will get to shape your degree to suit your own interests and career aspirations. Whichever direction you choose, you will be taught by enthusiastic scholars who are keen to share their expertise with you.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: BBB. All subjects accepted. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level.
- EPQ with A-levels: BBC + EPQ at grade B.
- GCSE: English at Grade 4/C
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 credits at Distinction.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points overall. Including grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if not held at GCSE.
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with DDM.
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for the International Foundation Year – Society and Culture run by the Global Study Centre. The GSC provides academic support to help you progress to your chosen undergraduate degree at the University of Leicester.
Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the University.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2024
Tuition fees for 2024/25 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2023/24 were:
- £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2024
Tuition fees for 2024/25 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2023/24 were:
- £18,200 per year
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
We run employability modules as part of our curriculum. The second year 'Sociology Placement' will prepare you for life after University - taking you through all stages of the employment process from developing skills to applying for roles.
You will regularly discuss career preferences with your personal tutors at each level of study, building up a profile of your optimum career pathways. You can use your own work experience as a focus for your third year research project, providing a more reflexive approach to thinking about future careers.
Graduate destinations
Graduates from our Sociology degrees have gone on to work for a wide range of employers including:
- Teletrec Navman
- Hampshire County Council
- Mencap
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Career Development Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Related courses
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
In your first year you will gain a solid foundation in the principles of sociology through six core modules covering a mixture of theoretical ideas and substantive topics.
Modules
- Sociology in Practice
- Power, Privilege and Diversity
- Race, Ethnicity and Racisms in Britain
- Society in Transformation
- Interpreting Key Texts
- Ways of Researching
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
Year 2
You will gain more freedom to shape your degree and follow your interests and career objectives in your second year, when you can choose three option modules to make your learning experience more individual.
Core modules
- Bringing Sociology to Work
- Doing Qualitative Research
- Using Numbers in Social Research
- Sociological Theory Explored
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
Then choose one option module from:
- Cosmic Sociology
- Work, Employment and Society
- Sociology Through Literature and Film
- We Are What We Buy: Consumption, Self and Identity
- Environmental Sociologies
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 3
Year 3
In your final year you will carry out a supervised main piece of work, conducting research in an area of your choice.
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Identity Troubles: Nationalism, Jihadism and the Far Right
- Drugs and Society
- Social Psychology
- Autobiographical Society
- Education and Social Justice
Then choose two option modules from:
- Football and Society
- Social Movements
- Space, Place and Contemporary Culture
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- International Migration
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Job prospects are excellent: 97% of our sociology students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)
We were ranked in the top 25 in the UK for Sociology by The Guardian University Guide 2021.
The academic staff in the department have written or edited dozens of books and publish regularly in major national and international journals. Where other people only get to read what our experts think, you will be working directly with them, learning from them in lectures and questioning them in seminars.
You will definitely want to join the Students' Union's Sociology Society, which offers a great mix of academic support and social events.
Teaching and learning
You will take three modules in each semester. The exact format of your contact time may vary by module, but it is at least three hours per module per week. Additional time with teaching staff is also available and our lecturers and tutors have regular drop-in hours for individual consultations. You are encouraged to meet regularly with staff to discuss your work and receive guidance and feedback.
During the remainder of your study time you are able to access our excellent learning resources provided by the Library and Sociology at Leicester. The majority of the resources for the course are now available online. As well as traditional written material, we provide a growing selection of multimedia resources to enrich your learning experience.
Assessment of each module normally takes place at the end of each semester. You will be assessed in a variety of ways (including exams, essays and portfolios) depending on the nature of the modules you are taking.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our Student Learning Development Team provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Sociology | Qualification BA | Duration 3 years full-time | UCAS Code L300 | Availability How to apply |
Data about this course
In lectures and seminars we are encouraged to share our views and opinions. Being able to shape our own learning is truly amazing.