Course summary

• Understand privilege and disadvantage across different social identities. 
• Investigate ethnicity, class, sexuality, age, disability, gender and religion.
• Explore social movements for equality in a global context.
• Evaluate the relative power of groups and individuals drawing on complex cultural and material resources.
• Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.

The first year introduces you to core sociological knowledge and skills – taught by friendly and approachable staff. You’ll progress to more specialised modules in the second and third years – developing your personal interests and building employability skills.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) courses – or if you’re not quite ready for studying at degree-level – we recommend you take our foundation course. You’ll share the foundation year with other Social Science students before moving onto your degree.

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

You’ll undertake live projects as part of your degree, getting a taste of how to use the skills you learn on the course in the real world. For example, working on a project brief for a local charity – undertaking desk-based research, helping them while also forming the basis for your assessment. You’ll also be able to list this work on your CV.

You can choose from a range of elective modules – such as environment and society, youth studies, propaganda and media studies, and education policy. Alongside this, you’ll undertake a more demanding commissioned project, working in a team to meet the needs of a local organisation.

Our staff are experts in their fields – bringing their research-based knowledge to all the teaching and learning activities on the course. Lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials all challenge your understanding of the social world – helping you develop self-confidence and motivation, which is essential for all graduate-level jobs.

You’ll also discover new knowledge and ideas through a variety of field trips, events and guest speakers arranged throughout the year. You’ll be supported by staff every step of the way to become your very best.. This might be by working with others in small groups, or by developing your own independent learning style.  

You learn through

• lectures 
• seminars 
• workshops
• tutorials
• field trips 
• events 
• guest speakers 
• group learning

There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing Scheme. 

You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. These include

• access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.
• access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments.
• industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities.

Course leaders and tutors

Karl Baker-Green

Principal Lecturer, Head of Sociology

Staff profile for Karl Baker-Green

Applied learning

Live projects 

You’ll undertake live projects as part of your degree, getting a taste of how to use the skills you learn on the course in the real world. For example, working on a project brief for a local charity – undertaking desk-based research, helping them while also forming the basis for your assessment. You’ll also be able to list this work on your CV.

You can choose from a range of elective modules – such as environment and society, youth studies, propaganda and media studies, and education policy. Alongside this, you’ll undertake a more demanding commissioned project, working in a team to meet the needs of a local organisation. 

Field trips

During the course, you can take a field trip at no additional cost. In recent years these have included a visit to the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, a 4-day visit to Edinburgh, and a dissertation conference.

Work placements

In the second year, many students opt to go on an eight-week structured work placement. This gives you real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. Previous students have worked on projects under the direction of a supervisor in workplaces such as hospitals, police service, schools, council departments and community associations.

Alternatively, you can study abroad for 12 weeks at a university in Europe, Australia, USA or Canada. This is a great chance to learn about different cultures and learning styles – as well as travel to new places and meet new people. 

Networking opportunities

As a Sociology student you’ll be enrolled as a member of the Social Research Association (SRA) – funded by the university. The SRA is a membership organisation for social researchers working on poverty, health, crime and other social issues you’ll encounter on your course. It offers you access to extensive networks that can support your studies and career development.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in   

• health and related areas
• education
• probation 
• police service
• prisons
• local and national government
• marketing and advertising

You’ll undertake live projects as part of your degree, getting a taste of how to use the skills you learn on the course in the real world. For example, working on a project brief for a local charity – undertaking desk-based research, helping them while also forming the basis for your assessment. You’ll also be able to list this work on your CV.

You can choose from a range of elective modules – such as environment and society, youth studies, propaganda and media studies, and education policy. Alongside this, you’ll undertake a more demanding commissioned project, working in a team to meet the needs of a local organisation.

• research and development departments
• human resources
• community-based support
• voluntary and charitable organisations

These are just some of the areas previous graduates of this course have gone on to work in.

However, the skills you’ll develop during your degree will enable you to successfully transition into a much wider range of potential career paths.

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus

Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

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Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Fees and funding

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.