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Sociology with Psychology BSc (Hons)

Gain a deep understanding of the workings and interactions of human behaviour, culture and society. Get a solid foundation for moving into people-focused careers or further training.

University of Portsmouth Connected Degree - 3 year course with 4th year placement

Key information

UCAS code:

L3C8

Typical offer:

96-112 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

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Overview

Prepare to lead the world into a more positive future.

Human thought and behaviour shape our society, which in turn shapes our experience as global citizens. Take a sociological and social psychological approach to the most pressing social issues of our time, from global economic inequality and the migrant crisis to world hunger, climate change and gender equality - and see how our actions interact with and influence social justice and wellbeing in the world.

While developing your sociological imagination, you'll also study social psychological concepts such as prosocial behaviour, intergroup dynamics and social influence. On this BSc (Hons) Sociology with Psychology degree, you'll conduct your own research into societal issues that matter most to you, developing the skills to influence positive change such as critical thinking, leading on research projects, analysing data and communicating proposals for change effectively.

The University of Portsmouth is ranked the number 1 modern university for research quality in Area Studies.

Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2021

Read more about our excellent research in Area Studies

Course highlights

  • Learn from leading academics actively researching solutions to social inequalities and exploring the social structures that shape our lives, including researchers from our Sociology and Social Theory Research Group and our Researching Migrant Homelessness project
  • Tailor your studies to topics that match your ambitions from a diverse range of specialist modules, including social justice, gender and sexuality, race and racism and global inequality
  • Use social psychological theory to address one of three 'unsolvable issues' (homelessness, domestic violence or unemployment), simulating projects you'll work on in future health-related careers
  • Hear from industry specialists on topics such as racism, asylum and gender-based violence – recent guest speakers have come from Friends Without Borders and Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Services (PARCS)
  • Discover how to present your knowledge and research to a wider audience, through the production of a video or podcast on an optional module
  • Learn to use software to analyse complex data with ease, such as SPSS (for statistical analysis) and NVivo (for qualitative data analysis)
  • Have the opportunity to do a work placement year after your second or third year on this Connected Degree - we're the only UK university to offer flexible sandwich placements for undergraduates
  • Choose to learn a foreign language for free as part of your degree, from a selection of Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish

The psychological approach on this course is designed to enhance your understanding of sociology beyond sociological theory – it doesn't offer British Psychological Society accreditation (BPS) but strongly prepares you for further study or training related to the psychological and social sciences.

100%

of students said teaching staff were very good or good at explaining things

(NSS 2023)

Every lecturer has a clear passion for what they are teaching us and it really shows in all the support they give to us students. This extends to outside the classroom as well. 

I have taken on volunteering through the University's careers service to help build up my CV and due to me looking into a Social Work Masters. My lecturers, Rusten and Sue, really helped me to gain those opportunities. 

Castiel Martin, BSc (Hons) Sociology with Psychology

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BSc (Hons) Sociology with Psychology

Typical offers

  • A levels - BBC-CCC
  • UCAS points - 96-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM-MMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 25

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Courses in Sociology

Hear our students and lecturers explain the benefits of studying a sociology course with us.

Chloe: I think I wanted to study sociology because it's got so many different components that you can't find it not interesting.

Dr Joseph Burridge: We offer three courses: Sociology, Sociology with Psychology and Sociology with Criminology.

Dr Rusten Menard: On our sociology courses, we offer a broad range of topics.

Joseph: Social inequalities and injustices, gender and sexuality, about race and racism, about nationalism, about the emotions, about food. It's a very versatile course.

Abby: At uni, it's interesting because everybody comes from a range of different places. You kind of learn about things that can relate to your life and people in your classes lives.

Rusten: It makes me feel amazing that students can connect their everyday experiences to these much larger topics that we're all dealing with on an everyday basis, even though we don't know that we are.

Joseph: There's a range of reasons that students will study the course, but I think that the most important one is that they're interested in understanding society and also wanting to change it.

Chloe: We’ll be sat in the seminar and everyone from different corners of the room is bringing in their own opinion.

Rusten: There are so many different kinds of jobs that our students go into, such as HR, marketing, the 

Abby: charities sector, non-government organisations, 

Asan: a higher education lecturer, a social researcher.

Chloe: I went and did a month out in Tanzania and I was working in a school there and I got picked to do that because I did sociology.

I chose to study at the University of Portsmouth because I just love the city as a whole.

Asan: It's a beautiful city. There’s lots to do here. There's always somewhere I could go.

Chloe: It's great that you can have that city environment with the kind of fast pace of life but you can walk 15 minutes up the road and be on a beach, relaxing, having an ice cream.

Asan: All the lecturers, the staff, they're very knowledgeable. You can go to them for anything. You can tell when your lecturer is really excited about the topic and that makes you feel more excited about the topic too.

Joseph: The thing I enjoy most, I think is the student journey. Meeting them on that very first day, they're fresh to the institution and then seeing them develop over the three or four years that they're here and ultimately seeing them graduate and, you know, having them come back and tell us how they're getting on and what they're doing. That's one of the most rewarding parts of it.

Careers and opportunities

The course provides a solid foundation for moving into a variety of people-focused careers, from community development and careers advice, to teaching and charity work. You'll have the communication, research, critical thinking and analysis skills employers look for to lead on complex projects, convert report findings into manageable insights and manage people with an understanding of how the mind works.

After the course you could also continue your studies to a PhD or other postgraduate qualification, following in the footsteps of your lecturers.

From Portsmouth, I went straight into employment with my current employer. I have met several people who also went to Portsmouth and they have all said what a good practical course it is. I have managed to quickly progress through the business which was because of the good footing Portsmouth University gave me.

Leah Harvey, BSc (Hons) Sociology with Psychology

What sectors can you work in with a sociology with psychology degree?

Many of our sociology graduates go into people-focused roles, or in roles that allow them to do research, shape social policies or bring about social change.

Areas you could go into include:

  • teaching and lecturing (with additional training or further study)
  • research and policy
  • health and social care
  • advertising, marketing and media
  • local government
  • careers advice, human resources and recruitment
  • charity work and community development

What jobs can you do with a sociology with psychology degree?

Roles you could go onto include:

  • peer support and young persons service manager
  • youth worker
  • school teacher or college lecturer
  • research executive
  • fundraising and project manager
  • hr adviser
  • social worker
  • evidence and evaluation manager

Graduate destinations

Graduates from our sociology courses have worked for companies such as:

  • Solent Mind
  • Chance UK
  • The Prince's Trust
  • NHS Foundation Trust
  • Chance UK
  • Enham Trust (disability charity)
Female student at computer

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Placement year opportunities and work experience

Taking an optional placement year after your second or third year of study will give you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role. You'll get valuable work experience and the chance to grow your professional network and enhance your CV.

We'll work with you to identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and allow you to use the skills you've learnt. Our students also regularly work on research projects for the local community.

You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.

Potential destinations

Previous students have taken placements roles at organisations including:

  • National Museum of the Royal Navy
  • Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service (PARCS)
  • New Theatre Royal
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Solent Recovery College
  • Volkswagen
  • local government departments
14/05/2021.University of Portsmouth - B Roll - Day Two..All Rights Reserved - Helen Yates- T: +44 (0)7790805960.Local copyright law applies to all print & online usage. Fees charged will comply with standard space rates and usage for that country, region or state.

Get credit towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements

You have the option to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) module – getting credit from paid/unpaid work, volunteering, research placements, internships and other work related learning, including self-employment. You'll have the freedom to arrange your own activities, and we'll support your achievements through workshops, events and tutorials.

Why study a course with Psychology?

Hear our students and lecturers explain the benefits of studying a 'with Psychology' course at the University of Portsmouth.

Dr Jacqueline Priego: Students who take a degree that combines a social science with psychology are typically interested in both societal and behavioural approaches to the human condition. They are interested in what triggers our thinking, our emotions, our behaviours and how we see that we can shape our ideas, values and practices so that we can make this world a better place. 

Dr Alexander Bradley: I think the nice aspect of studying a with psychology course is it both opens up both psychology, but also sociology or criminology, child and youth studies. So it gives you two job markets to aim for. 

Jonathan: What made me want to do a course with psychology is, it gives me a bigger variety and dig deeper into each subject. Doing a degree with combined honours allows me to pick and choose from whichever career choice I choose to make. 

Eleonora: Because I'm currently studying criminology with psychology, it really gives you the opportunity to study many different topics at once. Like, I'm studying state crime at the same time I did psychological science. You have two different types of knowledge. You have the criminological one and the psychological ones - you can merge them together to actually do what you want to do. 

Joshua: I went for a course with psychology because I wanted to have something extra as well, and I think that's shown definitely while being at the university because it gave an extra layer to the degree which I wasn't expecting. 

Jonathan: If you're not sure, if you just want to do psychology or just want to do sociology, choose this degree. It will give you the best of both and you get to focus on whatever you find most fascinating and interesting. 

Joshua: The career I'm looking into is to join the Royal Navy first and then afterwards teaching. But I still think this course does help me with that because there was one point of like stages of group development and that was part of the psychology course. So I can use that when running a team within the Royal Navy and then after that, hopefully the course as a whole will help me in my teaching. 

Jonathan: Why someone should choose University of Portsmouth? It gives extremely good facilities. 

Dr Jacqueline Priego: In relation to our courses, all of our students have access to the latest research through the university library. That gives you the potential for a great student experience. 

Dr Alexander Bradley: The city is a lovely place to be: it's friendly, it's warm, you have the sea. We do a lot and put a lot of effort into our students to help them make not only a good time and to make the most of their time at university, but also beyond university as well. 

Eleonora: You have career support for many years after you graduate. Thanks to the University of Portsmouth, I was able to work in some research with my lecturers as well, which is something that other students are not able to do. It's a great opportunity to make me stand out. 

Dr Alexander Bradley: I think one of the really nice features about my role is when I do see students that make that transition and are happy in the world of work, in the places they've ended up and are making a contribution to society, that's really good. In fact, sometimes when I get those emails that come back, it just makes my day. 

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.

Not a fan of exams?

On this course, you won't have to sit any exams. Instead, you'll submit coursework, assignments and presentations to demonstrate your knowledge. Take a look at how you'll be assessed on this course.

What you'll study

Core modules in this year include:

  • Developing Your Sociological Imagination – 40 credits
  • Psychology for the Social Sciences – 20 credits
  • Research Design and Analysis – 20 credits
  • Social and Cultural Psychology - 20 credits
  • Theorising Social Life – 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Core modules in this year include:

  • Critical Psychology – 20 credits
  • Discursive Psychology - 20 credits
  • Doing Sociological Research – 20 credits
  • Modernity and Globalisation – 20 credits

Optional modules in this year include:

  • Challenging Global Inequality – 20 credits
  • Consumer Society: Critical Themes and Issues – 20 credits
  • Digital Cultures: Exploring the Digital in the Humanities and Social Sciences - 20 credits
  • Emotions and Social Life – 20 credits
  • Empire and its Afterlives in Britain, Europe and Africa - 20 credits
  • Engaged Citizenship in Humanities and Social Sciences – 20 credits
  • Equality or Liberation? Theorising Social Justice – 20 credits
  • Family, Career and Generation – 20 credits
  • Food, Culture, and Society – 20 credits
  • Gender and Sexuality – 20 credits
  • Global Security - 20 credits
  • Health, Wellbeing, and Happiness – 20 credits
  • Intercultural Perspectives on Communication - 20 credits
  • Marketing and Communication - 20 credits
  • Modern Foreign Language (Institution-wide Language Programme) – 20 credits
  • Modernity and Globalisation - 20 credits
  • Nationalism and Migration: Chaos, Crisis And the Everyday – 20 credits
  • News, Discourse and Media - 20 credits
  • Principles of Economic Crime Investigation - 20 credits
  • Professional Experience L5 - 20 credits
  • Race and Racism – 20 credits
  • Risk and Society – 20 credits
  • Social Power, Elites and Dissent – 20 credits
  • Sociology of Culture: Taste, Value and Celebrity – 20 credits
  • Space, Place and Being - 20 credits
  • The Sociology of Education – 20 credits
  • Transitional Justice and Human Rights - 20 credits
  • Understanding Personal Life – 20 credits
  • Wildlife Crime: Threats and Response - 20 credits

Core modules in this year include:

  • Community Psychology - 20 credits
  • Creative Research Methods in Psychology – 20 credits
  • Sociology Dissertation / Major Project – 40 credits

Optional modules in this year include:

  • Challenging Global Inequality – 20 credits
  • Consumer Society: Critical Themes and Issues – 20 credits
  • Emotions and Social Life – 20 credits
  • Equality or Liberation? Theorising Social Justice – 20 credits
  • Family, Career and Generation – 20 credits
  • Food, Culture and Society – 20 credits
  • Gender and Sexuality – 20 credits
  • Health, Wellbeing and Happiness – 20 credits
  • Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
  • Nationalism and Migration: Chaos, Crisis And the Everyday – 20 credits
  • Professional Development: Recruiters and Candidates – 20 credits
  • Professional Experience – 20 credits
  • Race and Racism – 20 credits
  • Social Power, Elites and Dissent – 20 credits
  • Sociology of Culture: Taste, Value and Celebrity – 20 credits
  • Understanding Personal Life – 20 credits

After your second or third year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.

Examples of placement organisations include:

  • Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service
  • Why Me? Restorative Justice
  • SEK International School, Spain
  • Aurora New Dawn – a charity giving safety, support, advocacy and empowerment to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

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

Alternative sociology courses

Not quite sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other sociology courses to compare your options.

If you want to build a solid foundation in classic sociological theories, learn how to apply them to produce social change and develop competent research skills, take a look at our Sociology degree.

If you want to explore how human relationships and social structures influence behaviour and discover how power dynamics and inequalities create crime, take a look at our Sociology with Criminology degree.

If you want to study specialist areas of sociological study while developing the knowledge and skills to expertly dissect the media, take a look at our Sociology with Media Studies degree.

Assessment

The way you’re assessed may depend on the units you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

  • Year 1 students: 100% by coursework
  • Year 2 students: 100% by coursework
  • Year 3 students: 100% by coursework

Your coursework may include:

  • written essays
  • group and individual projects
  • seminar participation
  • a 10,000-word dissertation in year 3

Coursework typically makes up around 100% of your final mark.

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • workshops

There's an emphasis on participation with lots of group debates and discussions. You'll also take control of your own learning by doing research, surveys and interviews.

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

Teaching staff profiles

Joseph David Burridge Portrait

Dr Joseph Burridge

Principal Lecturer

Joseph.Burridge@port.ac.uk

School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics, and Literature

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Rusten Menard Portrait

Dr Rusten Menard

Senior Lecturer

rusten.menard@port.ac.uk

School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics, and Literature

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

Read more
User profile default icon

Ms Katherine Munden

Lecturer

Katherine.Munden@port.ac.uk

Read more
Jacqueline Priego Hernandez Portrait

Dr Jacqueline Priego Hernandez

Interim Associate Dean (Global Engagement)

jacqueline.priego@port.ac.uk

School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics, and Literature

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

Read more

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your BSc Hons Sociology with Psychology degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 10 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • Understanding and using assignment feedback
  • Managing your time and workload
  • Revision and exam techniques

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • Academic writing
  • Note taking
  • Time management
  • Critical thinking
  • Presentation skills
  • Referencing
  • Working in groups
  • Revision, memory and exam techniques

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

​Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship –  may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £17,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Additional costs

Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

 

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

You’ll need to cover additional costs, such as travel costs, if you take an optional placement or placement abroad.

These costs will vary depending on the location and duration of the placement, and can range from £50–£1000.

During your placement year or study abroad year, you’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on your tuition fees. Currently, tuition fees for that year are:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £2,875  a year (subject to annual increase)

The costs associated with your specific destination will be discussed during your second year, as well as possible sources of additional funding.

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – L3C8
  • our institution code – P80

Apply now through UCAS

 

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in our international students section

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.