BSc (Hons)
Sociology with Psychology
Human behaviour in a social and cultural context
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Are you interested in relating sociology’s understanding of human behaviour in society to psychology’s examination of the mind’s workings? Our course is the opportunity to do so, with a major study of sociology complemented by psychology units, offering a route to a deep understanding of human society.
What will I experience?
On this course, you can:
- Engage with and evaluate current critical debates and classical theories in both fields
- Utilise some of the many resources available to you, such as our large archive of documentary films
- Volunteer locally or do a work placement alongside your studies to improve your employability
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course provides a sound basis for careers in commerce, industry and the service sector. You will possess numerous key transferable skills to enter a wide range of careers and professions.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- working in the police force
- teaching
- social work
- working for the local government
- civil service
- marketing
The modules are set up to relate to real people in real-life situations at the same time as looking at the wider theories, and the lecturers are great at being approachable as part of their teaching.
Natasha Gohel, BSc (Hons) Sociology with Psychology student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- L3C*
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Subject:
History, Politics and Social Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The diverse spread of subjects offered and ability to complete your own research
- The critical thinking, analytical and debating skills you’ll develop
- The passionate lecturers with a wide range of specialist research expertise
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In your first year, you’ll follow a core programme of study focused on introductory units in both fields of study, plus the development of study and employability skills.
- Theorising Social Life
- Research Design and Analysis
- Key Ideas in Human and Animal Behaviour
- Psychology of Everyday Life
- Studying Society
- Themes in Sociology
Year two
During this year, you’ll follow core units from each academic field, and choose from a range of options to complement these. You will also begin to plan an appropriate topic for their dissertation and acquire the necessary research skills. There is an option in this year to apply for an exchange programme with Moorhead State University, USA.
- Modernity & Globalisation: Classical & Contemporary Perspectives
Options including:
- Biological and Cognitive Psychology
- Social and Developmental Psychology
- Individual Differences and Psychometrics
- Understanding Deviance and Social Problems
- Urban Sociology
- Work, Employment and Society
- Emotions and Social Life
- Doing Sociological Research
- Risk and Society
- Languages (University Wide Option)
- Learning from Experience
Year three
As a final year student, you’ll spend much of your study time working on your dissertation. This is a major piece of individual work where you have the opportunity to examine in detail part of the course that has interested you most. You will also be able to shape your year with optional units from both strands of your course.
- Dissertation / Major Project (Sociology)
Options including:
- Languages and Communication
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Issues in Clinical and Health Psychology
- Transformations of Modern Society
- Food, Culture and Society
- Animals and Society
- Young People, State and Society
- Arts and Society
- Violence War and Society
- Sociology of Culture
- Consumer Society
- Learning from Experience
Teaching and Assessment
Our teaching approach involves lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops, with a strong emphasis on participation. Get fully involved in group debates and discussions, and gain hands on experience as you carry out survey research, qualitative interviewing and other research techniques.
How are you assessed?
You will be assessed throughout the course via a wide range of assessment methods. Here’s how:
- written essays and tests
- both group and individual projects
- seminar participation
- examinations
- a 10,000-word dissertation
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with group working spaces, printers, Mac workstations and more
Research-Active Staff
Academic staff split their time between research and teaching
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with a comfy seating area, desks where you can work, printers, Mac workstations and access to the wireless network so you can log in using your own laptop. There are also several study rooms where you can work on group projects, alongside access to the University 3rd Space.
Research-Active Staff
You will be taught by specialist staff who are actively undertaking research in this field, ensuring your learning keeps you abreast of the latest developments. Staff are members of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR), the UK's largest research centre of its kind.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
The NHS, local education authorities, counselling and voluntary organisations and charities are just some examples of organisations that would typically employ sociology graduates.
Careers in social research, counselling, community development, careers advice, teaching, probation and charity work are possible options for you after this course. However, many of these areas will require you to undergo further training after your first degree.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- social researcher
- market researcher
- lecturer
- investigative analyst
- detention custody officer
- careers advisor
Work experience
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you’re involved in alongside your study.
The School of Social Historical and Literary Studies can offer you a number of work experience opportunities in a range of local organizations during your degree course. Currently these include projects at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the New Theatre Royal, with local government departments and political groups, and a number of our students have worked on small research projects for the local community.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more