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Overview
Sociology helps us understand how society works, connecting the dots between individual lives and the structures they live in.
Studying a Master's in Sociology can completely change the way you view the world around you, developing you as a skilled researcher, excellent critical thinker, robust theorist and agent for change.
On this MSc Sociology degree, you'll explore all aspects of social life, because it all matters. You'll cover topics such as identity, intimacy, wellbeing, popular culture, consumption, colonialism, global inequalities, social media, feminism, racism, or sustainability. You'll use qualitative and quantitative research methods to generate reliable data and insights, and ultimately deepen your knowledge on these issues.
Once you graduate, you'll have skills and awareness to succeed further in a huge range of careers, such as improving public policy by providing evidence on trends and public opinions, enabling charities to serve their communities more effectively by researching their needs, or helping businesses enhance their operations through analysing consumer beliefs, tastes and decision making.
This is a new course and we're finalising the detailed information for this page.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
September 2024 / January 2025 start
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree in Sociology or other relevant subject.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not 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.
Modules
Full-time
Core module in this year include:
- Changing Society: Sociological Debates - 30 credits
- Sociological Research Methods - 30 credits
- Identities and Inequalities - 30 credits
- Dissertation - 60 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
- Cultures of Production and Consumption - 30 credits
- Emotions, Intimacies and Affects - 30 credits
- NGOs and Social Movements - 30 credits
Part-time
Core modules in this year include:
- Changing Society: Sociological Debates - 30 credits
- Sociological Research Methods - 30 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Identities and Inequalities - 30 credits
- Dissertation - 60 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
- Cultures of Production and Consumption - 30 credits
- Emotions, Intimacies and Affects - 30 credits
- NGOs and Social Movements - 30 credits
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, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2024 / January 2025 start)
- Full-time: £10,400
- Part-time: £5,200 per year
All fees subject to annual increase.
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £10,400
- Part-time: £5,200 per year
All fees subject to annual increase.
- Full-time: £17,900
- Part-time: £8,950 per year
All fees subject to annual increase.
How to apply
Ready to apply?
Start this course in September 2024
Apply now (Part-time, 2 years)
Start this course in January 2025
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2023, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
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.