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What makes Sociology at Worcester special?

Studying Sociology at Worcester gives you the fascinating opportunity to explore new challenges and changes in social, cultural, and political life, in local, national and global contexts.  You’ll join a friendly community of staff and students who enjoy focussing on crucial and fast-developing areas such as the impact of new technologies, environmental crises, and health inequalities. You will also study new perspectives on sociological topics such as crime, education, media, religion, work, ‘race’, gender, and families. 

Previous study of the subject is not required, but if you have studied Sociology before, we’ll show you many new and exciting ideas. You will become skilled at communicating your hands-on research, developing your graduate employability, and preparing for a wide range of possible careers.

Our blog post 'What is Sociology?' highlights the exciting and original research done by our students.

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • A personalised learner journey tailored around your own interests which includes close tutor support in helping you to develop personal, academic, and graduate skills with a focus on long term career planning
  • Emphasis on transferable skills, digital citizenship, graduate employability, and work-based learning opportunities
  • A close student/staff community with regular course activities, socials, quizzes, and trips, including to Parliament in London
  • An interactive and responsive curriculum with study abroad options that includes the classic elements of Sociology but with primary focus on new and developing perspectives, offering a diverse and dynamic curriculum driven by contemporary sociological concerns
  • Assessments (no exams in sociology-coded modules) which focus on personal and experiential learning and encouragement of your own research interests to help you become an independent learner able to understand contemporary global challenges and how Sociology can make sense of them
International Masters students in academic English workshop

1st for Teaching quality and Student experience

In the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, Worcester’s Sociology degrees were all 1st for teaching quality and were also 1st for student experience.

Register your interest

Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.


"Best decision of my life so far was choosing to study Sociology at the University of Worcester. Thank you to the whole department for being so inspiring and caring and preparing me for the next challenge."

Jessica White - Sociology graduate

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

104
UCAS tariff points

Entry requirements

104 UCAS tariff points (for example, BCC at A Level)

Other information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from the UCAS Website.

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Course content

Course content

The Worcester Sociology degree course is designed for maximum interest and relevance, and current and previous students have helped to shape it.

Because the world changes so rapidly, we do sometimes revise our list of modules as you go through the course. However, there will always be plenty of choice of assignments within some of the modules to allow you to pursue topics you are interested in, even sometimes ones not indicated by the module titles.  

The modules listed here are those currently available. Up-to-date information will be available to you once you are registered on the course. If ever we cannot run an option module (which is rare), we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

You can if you wish study for a semester (or longer) as an exchange student in another country, in which case the modules at your host university will be available to you.   

Year 1

Mandatory

  • Sociology: Approaching the Crisis
  • Family, Community and Locality
  • Visual Sociology
  • Social Justice
  • Sociology in Practice
  • Sociology of Health

Year 2

Mandatory

  • Sociology: from Origins to Present
  • Practical Research in Sociology

Optional

  • Sociology of Crime
  • Work Project
  • Sociology of “Race”: Global Perspectives
  • Digital Sociology
  • Environmental Sociology
  • Development and Change in the Global South

Year 3

Mandatory

  • Dissertation

Optional

  • Pornography and Modern Culture
  • History of Sexuality
  • Sociology of Religion
  • Education and the Sociological Imagination
  • Constructing Emotions
  • Global Power: Sociological Perspectives
  • Sociology of the Body
Thea Harrhy

Thea Harrhy

Sociology at the University of Worcester was an incredible and personal experience. There was an exciting range of module options that I could choose to engage with. My experience was well rounded as a result and I felt like I could pursue my interests through these modules. I felt supported every step of the way by all of the lecturers that taught me. The course has given me plenty of opportunities to develop the skills that I have required in my current Primary Teaching Degree. We were given opportunities to work with others, develop our presentation skills and our communication skills. The lectures and seminars alike, called for our input and this created a welcoming atmosphere throughout the cohort.

I am very grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way.

Robyn Platt

Robyn Platt

Robyn, a mature student, joined the University of Worcester in 2017 to study sociology. Despite pandemic disruptions in her final year, she achieved a First-Class Honours in her undergraduate degree with the support of the Sociology team.

Robyn initially considered a degree unattainable as an immigrant but felt comfortable at the University and found the Sociology course engaging. She received scholarships, completed her Master's with distinction, and actively participated in student life. Robyn now works at the University's Research School, overseeing PhD and MRes programmes. She plans to pursue a PhD in the future.

Katy Small

Katy Small

“My time at the University was engaging and inspiring; it allowed me to decide what I hope to do for a career and to develop as an individual both academically and personally,” she said. “The support from tutors and staff was great, especially big thanks to the Sociology staff who often went above and beyond.”

Katy is now about to start a part-time MRes in Sociology, focussing on the creation of an ideological ‘Other’ using language within 21st Century US political discourse. “I very much hope to continue this research into a PhD and continue my academic career into further research and teaching,”

Marcus Garner

Marcus Garner

Marcus, age 24, is now continuing his studies at the University to complete a Research Masters degree in Sociology (MRes) towards a career in academia.

“I felt both sad to finish my course and proud to graduate,” Marcus said. “I worked hard, and I am excited to continue my studies in Sociology and conduct my own in-depth research into masculinity and men’s health.”

I loved my time at university, the staff on the Sociology course are all exceptional, they made the course so enjoyable, current, relevant and instilled an enthusiasm in me for the subject which helped me push myself as far as I could.

Woman walking down the steps of Worcester cathedral, wearing a leather jacket and black top

Teodora Axente

I came to Worcester from Galati in Romania to study joint honours in Media & Culture and Sociology. This was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I could have ever taken; the course matched my interests entirely and has been truly inspiring, as I have expanded my knowledge of some really challenging topics. It was also extremely helpful that some of my lecturers happened to teach across both subjects.

Since graduating I continue to have a particular interest in the concept of ‘moral panics’ and have been given the opportunity to collaborate with Health courses and to deliver a session on moral panics and dementia, which is a great honour for me. At the moment I am also working within Communication and Participation Department as an Administrator and I am helping on events such as Open Days and Corporate Events. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work in such an active and productive climate, where I can effectively use skills learnt during my academic study.

Vicki Embleton

Vicki Embleton

After completing a degree in Sociology, Vicki plans to teach. She is remaining at Worcester to do a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) in Religious Education and wants to work in a secondary school.

“The Sociology course is fantastic and up to date and always changing to address contemporary crises,” she said. “What made the course as good as it was were the people who I got the honour to share the three years with. Without them I don’t think that the course would have been what it was."

Vicki acted as the Sociology Course Representative in her first and second year, liaising with staff to put across the views and feedback of her fellow students to improve the course, and became the School Representative for History, Sociology and Politics in her third year.

Read Vicki's full story here

Melissa Higley

Melissa Higley

After finishing her degree in Sociology and discovering issues she was passionate about throughout her studies, Melissa Higley now hopes to take that further and make a difference with a career in law. Melissa is staying on at the University to do a Masters in Law.

“I think it was Sociology that made me want to go into Law,” said Melissa. “It was a great stepping stone because it showed me the problems with issues of inequality, poverty, feminism, education and political issues, and then I decided I wanted to be in a position to help people affected by these issues. So, providing legal representation seemed a good fit for me. It's a great access course for students who want to go into law but don't have an undergraduate Law degree.

 

Read Melissa's full story here.

2 female students and 1 male student working at table

Study Sociology as part of a joint honours degree

As well as a single honours degree, Sociology is also available as part of a number of joint honours combinations, allowing you to combine it with another subject to match your interests and career aspirations:

Criminology and Sociology BA (Hons)

English Language and Sociology BA (Hons)

Education Studies and Sociology BA (Hons)

History and Sociology BA (Hons)

Psychology and Sociology BA/BSc (Hons)

Sociology with Politics BA (Hons)

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

In Sociology you will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops which focus on student-led learning and the fostering of independent research and assessment writing skills with a focus on graduate employability and lifelong learning. Indeed, the Sociology team places specific emphasis on providing close tutor support in encouraging you to become an independent learner. 

Contact time

In a typical week you will have around 12 contact hours of teaching. The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected and in the final year you will normally have slightly less contact time in order to do more independent study.

Typically, weekly contact time will be structured around 4 hours of lectures and 8 hours of seminars/workshops.

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 25 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and online, and preparing coursework assignments and presentations (there are no exams in Sociology).

Independent learning is supported by a range of learning facilities, including The Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a team of academics whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. All permanent staff on the Sociology team are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or formative assignments.

Each module has one or more formal or summative assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade. Assessment methods include essays, reports, discussion papers, discourse analyses, portfolios, presentations, case studies, and a third-year dissertation.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the Sociology course is as follows:

Year 1

  • Report
  • 2 essays
  • Reflective autobiography
  • Case study analysis
  • Portfolio
  • Book review
  • Study-trip report 

Year 2

  • Book review
  • 2 essays
  • Research proposal
  • 2 presentations
  • 2 reports
  • Sociological journal

 

Year 3

  • Dissertation
  • Annotated bibliography
  • 2 case study analyses
  • Poster presentation/essay (combined)
  • 3 essays 

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate. We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Duration

  • 3 years full-time
  • 4-6 years part-time

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Meet The team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.   

Dr Simon Hardy

Dr Simon Hardy

Simon has lectured at Worcester in Sociology and Media & Cultural Studies since 1995, with specialisms in the history of sexuality, the sociology of pornography and contemporary media coverage of warfare.

Dr Luke Devine

Luke is currently Course Leader for Sociology

Dr Jenny Lewin-Jones

Dr Jenny Lewin-Jones

Jenny teaches in Sociology, with particular interests in environmental and digital sociology, education, and emotions. Her research focuses on the role of language in social change. 

Jenny runs our Sociology Course Twitter account @sociologyworc.

Dr Elspeth King

Dr Elspeth King

Elspeth King joined the university in August 2022 after 8 years of being an Associate Lecturer. Her research and teaching interests are in twentieth-century British history, especially the First and Second World Wars and Women’s History.

Elspeth is also interested in social class and the impact this has on the lived experience of people in everyday life.

Careers

Careers

Career planning begins at the onset of your Sociology course with our Sociology in Practice module. Consequently, you will have regular opportunities to build your graduate attributes through work-based learning, close tutor guidance and support, and regular access to our Careers & Employability Service.

In completing your degree, you will develop digital literacy, independent research and data analysis skills, communication skills through a range of written and oral assessments, work-based learning skills, such as through our Work Project module, as well as industry-specific skills writing a report for an organisation in second year. Indeed, Sociology graduates enjoy a range of long-term career options, including in teaching, politics, the probation service, youth and social work, the caring professions, the police, business and personnel management, administration, public relations, media, and marketing.

Based on the latest Discover Uni data, 90% of our graduates are in work or study fifteen months after completing the course. If you would like to learn more about the study of Sociology and the careers it can lead to, please see the British Sociological Association’s Discover Sociology leaflet.

Two students are walking next to each other and smiling

Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential
Costs

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £16,200 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the academic year 2024/25 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20-credit module, £2,312 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £131 per week to 'En-suite Premium' at £221 per week (2024/25 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

How to apply

How to apply

Applying through UCAS

Single Honours:

  • Sociology BA (Hons) - L300

Joint Honours:
Please visit the individual joint honours course pages for UCAS links:

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

UCAS Code

L300

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Dr Jenny Lewin-Jones

Admissions tutor