Sociology BA
Year of entry 2023
2024 course information- UCAS code
- L300
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Work placement
- Optional
- Study abroad
- Optional
- Typical A-level offer
- ABB (specific subject requirements)
- Typical Access to Leeds offer
- BBC
Full entry requirements - Contact
- ugssp@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
The BA Sociology degree examines the interconnections between individuals and wider society. You’ll explore changing social, cultural, economic and political processes such as the identities, inequalities and policies that shape our lives.
Bridging big ideas and practical problems, you’ll consider how classical, contemporary and emerging styles of thought or the ideas of key thinkers can shed light on social issues such as crime, disability, family and gender issues, racism, social care and youth unemployment. You’ll examine social inequalities, protest and struggles over power, and question what it means to be a ‘good citizen’ today.
A wide variety of optional modules will allow you to focus on topics that suit your interests and career plans, from poverty to gender studies, violence or consumerism. Your studies will be informed by the latest research being conducted within the School by academics with an impressively diverse range of interests.
Quantitative Research Methods (QRM) pathway
You’ll have the opportunity to apply for a place on our BSc Sociology with Quantitative Research Methods pathway which gives a quantitative skills focus to your final year of study with compulsory modules in this area. This pathway will help you develop advanced analytical skills, which are in demand across the public, private, and third sectors.
You will learn statistical analysis techniques and their application to real data (e.g. survey data or statistical data relating to poverty, crime or electoral behaviour amongst others) using statistical software. You will also write a dissertation in which you will analyse quantitative data to examine a sociology/social policy research question.
This pathway is open to all students as long as you attain a 2:1 across all modules in your second year and a 2:1 in the Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods module. You are not required to have done Mathematics at A level.
Studying in the School of Sociology and Social Policy
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Year 1 encourages you to think sociologically, discovering key concepts and debates within the subject and using them to question standard explanations of social issues. Core modules will introduce you to the methods and techniques of social research, and you’ll examine the processes which led to the formation and emergence of modern societies.
This provides the foundation for the following year, when you’ll explore the important thinkers and traditions in the history of sociology, examining social integration, power, social change, the individual, society and forms of culture, belief and consciousness. From there you’ll start to gain specialist knowledge in your chosen areas through a selection of optional modules, focusing on topics from disability studies to tourism, crime and the sociology of health.
In your final year, you’ll research a topic of your choice in depth to complete your dissertation, showcasing the skills you’ve gained throughout the course. Around this you’ll choose further optional modules examining issues such as interpersonal violence, class divisions and protest movements.
Modules
The course information shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.
For more information please read Sociology BA in the course catalogue.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Exploring the City: Local and Global Contexts | 20 |
| Understanding and Researching Contemporary Society | 20 |
| Identities and Inequalities | 20 |
| Making Sense of Society: Reading Social Theory | 20 |
| Formations of Coloniality and Modernity | 20 |
Year 2 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods | 20 |
| Central Problems in Sociology | 20 |
Year 3 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Sociology Dissertation | 40 |
| Research Skills for your Dissertation | 20 |
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you gain diverse skills. These will include seminars and workshops where you can discuss in more depth the topics set out in traditional lectures. We emphasise the importance of participation, presentation skills and group work.
Independent study is also a vital element of the course, as it allows you to develop your research and critical skills while preparing for taught sessions.
You’ll also have a personal tutor – one of our academics – who will be on hand to offer you guidance and support on academic issues, such as module choices, as well as career and personal matters.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB
We do not require A-level Sociology for this course. However, in general you should be in the process of studying social science, arts and humanities subjects for A-level. See our accepted subjects document to see which subjects we accept.
We accept A-level General Studies.
When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attact an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be BBB at A -level and grade A in the EPQ.
GCSE: grade 4/C or above in Mathematics or equivalent.
Alternative qualification
Access to HE Diploma
BTEC
DDM.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M1.
International Baccalaureate
34 overall (6,5,5 higher).
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
AAABBB.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AAABB overall (BB at advanced level).
T-Levels
We will consider applicants with the following T levels at grade CACHE A, as well as GCSE English and GCSE Maths at 4 or above:
- Education and Childcare
- Health
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer:
BBC at A level. Applicants must also meet the University’s GCSE matriculation standard and pass the Access to Leeds module.
For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.
If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, we offer a foundation year for UK students who meet specific widening participation criteria. Learn more about the BA Social Science (foundation year).
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Sociology and Social Policy Undergraduate Admissions Team.
International foundation year
If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:
- University of Leeds International Foundation Year (IFY)
- Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)
- Study Group Leeds International Study Centre (LISC)
If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
Fees
UK: £9,250 (per year)
International: £22,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Applying
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
We typically receive a high number of applications for this course. To ensure we treat all applications fairly and equitably, we review applications after the UCAS deadline before making a final decision. All applications received before the UCAS deadline are guaranteed equal consideration. Please see our Admissions Guidance page for more details as well as advice on personal statements.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
This course is taught by
School of Sociology and Social Policy
Contact us
School of Sociology and Social Policy Admissions Team
Email: ugssp@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Career opportunities
Graduate destinations
Our graduates are ideally equipped to work in the public and third sector including in the Civil Service, teaching, youth work, fostering/children’s services, probation services, social work, prison service, housing and homelessness prevention.
They have also secured employment with some of the biggest international companies in human resources, communications management, broadcasting and advertising.
Postgraduate opportunities
Graduates from the BA Sociology are well prepared for postgraduate study across a range of disciplines. Our graduates have gone on to study social research, gender studies, disability studies, social policy, teacher training, journalism, occupational therapy, human resources, marketing, social work, and criminal justice studies.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.
Student profile: Sarah Taylor
I chose my course due to the fact that a lot of the issues we research are current and relatable to my experience within society.Find out more about Sarah Taylor's time at Leeds