BSc (Hons)
Sociology
Research, theorise and analyse social phenomena
Course Overview
Why take this course?
We live in a world that is changing at an ever-accelerating rate and this degree explores how and why this is. You’ll examine how global transformations are reshaping the world and how changes in technology are affecting our lives and cultures.
Further into your degree you can choose to study in the following subject areas:
- food, culture and society
- violence, war and society
- animals in society
- sociology of culture
- urban sociology
- consumer society
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Engage with and evaluate current critical debates and classical theories
- 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
My course has helped me to develop the ability to view aspects of life from a sociological perspective and to apply critical thinking to most tasks and interactions I find myself involved in.
Scott Jowett, BSc (Hons) Sociology student 2012
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- L300
- 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
Begin to build a strong foundation in the theory and methodology within the sociology discipline.
- Observing Society
- Theorising Social Life
- Research Design and Analysis
- Families in Society
- Studying Society
- Themes in Sociology
Year two
In this year, you can start to study in the areas that interest you the most through our range of optional units, and begin preparation for your final-year dissertation. You will also be able to apply for an exchange programme with Moorhead State University, USA.
- Modernity and Globalisation: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives
- Work, Employment and Society
- Doing Sociological Research
- Risk and Society
Options including:
- Understanding Deviance and Social Problems
- Emotions and Social Life
- Urban Sociology
- Learning from Experience
- Languages
Year three
Round off your studies by centring on the topics that you find most fascinating. Also complete your dissertation – an individual project where you choose the focus, control your own detailed research and manage your workload.
- Dissertation
- Transformations of Modern Societies
- Sociology of Culture
Options including:
- Food, Culture and Society
- Animals and Society
- Young People, State and Society
- Arts and Society
- Violence, War and Society
- Consumer Society: Key Themes and Issues
- 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.
Facilities within the School are great; we have our own student common room, with group study rooms, computer access and vending machines.
Helena MacNeary, BSc (Hons) Sociology student
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.
After graduation, I plan to do my PGCE and then become a primary school teacher.
Jordan Kennedy, BSc (Hons) Sociology student
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