Sociology BA Honours

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Course Overview

UK Fees £1,540 *
International Fees £2,570 *
Duration 4 years

* Price per 20-credit module

Course summary

Choose Sociology at the University of Westminster and you'll never think about society in the same way again. Studying with us means engaging with a dynamic 21st-century subject and exploring current social issues and debates, using the latest research methods.

Investigating the nature of societal structures and their impact on people's everyday lives and interactions is central to the course. You'll consider questions of how power is exercised and normalised at all levels of society, from the state to individual emotions, through explorations of social class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and other factors. You'll gain a sensitive understanding of diversity as well as a keen self-awareness and ability to make sense of your own social location in terms of identities, cultures, beliefs and values.

You'll be taught by active researchers, whose innovative books and articles are helping to set the global sociological agenda. The course makes full use of the amazing resources our central London location provides, from the museums on our doorstep to street-art field trips and the diverse cultures and subcultures that will inform and inspire your own research.

Drawing on cutting-edge research, this is a course that will put you at the forefront of contemporary sociological thinking and practice. Our students graduate with the knowledge and expertise that gives them a competitive advantage in a range of people-centred careers, including the charitable and NGO sector, education, government, journalism and media, management, social work, and academic research.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Consistently high levels of student satisfaction – our award-winning teaching team provide fantastic levels of student support, evidenced by our 95% student satisfaction rate
  • Inspiring learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom – our central London location provides unique opportunities to explore contemporary social and cultural life, including creative classroom activities, film screenings, external speakers, street-based explorations and visits to museums and galleries
  • An inclusive and diverse curriculum engaged with issues of social justice – students of diverse faith backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and genders come to work together to challenge inequality and explore some of the most important social and cultural questions in the world today
  • Second in London for student satisfaction in sociology – Complete University Guide 2024

Course structure

You can choose from a wide number of specialist option modules with a range of assessment formats to suit different learning styles, from essays and exams to portfolios, research reports, projects and reviews. Our supportive and dedicated teaching team will train you in critical analysis, thinking and debate, and enable you to develop strong presentational, interpersonal and communication skills.

The contents of this course are the same, whether you study full-time or part-time. Please note, Level 4 corresponds to Year 1 of the full-time version of the course, Level 5 corresponds to Year 2, Level 6 corresponds to Year 3.

Level 4 provides an accessible introduction to contemporary sociological debates, and you'll receive specialist training in researching London as a global city, and in the key study skills you need to excel in the subject, along with optional modules in race and gender. At Levels 5 and 6 you'll explore modern and contemporary social theory, youth culture, extend your research skills and, in your final year, work closely with a member of the Sociology team to conduct an independent project in an area of your own choosing.

You can select from a range of options, which include modules on education, families, gender and the body, the media, urban sociology, taste and consumption, social movements and race and representation.

Our Work Experience module at Level 5 gives you the opportunity to put into practice the personal and professional skills you will develop while studying.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Subjects of study include:

  • Identity and Society
  • London Explored 
  • Researching Society 
  • Social Media, Culture and Society
  • Thinking Sociologically
  • Gender and Sexuality Studies
  • Understanding Race

Credit Level 4

Subjects of study include:

  • Modern Social Theory
  • Research Methods in Sociology and Criminology
  • Work-based Learning
  • Childhood Youth and Society
  • Education Now
  • Emotional Life
  • Food, Taste and Consumption
  • Globalisation and the Media
  • Leisure, Pleasure and the Sociology of Fun
  • The City, Community, and Belonging

Credit Level 5

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Levels 5 and 6, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours - Sociology with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours - Sociology with International Experience.

Subjects of study include:

  • Contemporary Social Theory
  • Sociology Dissertation
  • Families, Intimacies and Personal Life
  • Gender, Education and Identity 
  • Making Bodies 
  • Making the News 
  • Social movements, media and society 
  • Sociology of Religion 
  • The Cultural Politics of Race

Credit Level 6

Studying Sociology with us

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Successful alumni

Previous graduates have found positions in organisations including the British Red Cross, Citizens Advice and the London Evening Standard.

Exciting placements

Gain work experience before you graduate – recent work placements have included the Explore Teaching Scheme, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Prisoner Advice and Care Trust.

3,000

Employers around the world

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Career development

Our students graduate with knowledge and expertise that gives them a competitive advantage in people-centred careers, including the charitable and NGO sector, education, government, journalism and media, management, social work, and academic research.

Our Work Experience module in the second year gives students the opportunity to put into practice the personal and professional skills they'll develop while studying.

Recent placements include:

  • Explore Teaching Scheme
  • George Mitchell School
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital
  • Prisoner Advice and Care Trust

Job roles

This course will prepare students for roles and sectors including:

  • Charity and NGO sector
  • Journalism and media
  • Local government and Civil Service
  • Management and human resources
  • Teaching and other professional education work

Graduate employers

Previous graduates of this course have found positions in organisations, including:

  • Accelerate Learning
  • Barclays
  • British Airways
  • British Red Cross
  • Citizens Advice
  • East London NHS Foundation Trust
  • Harris Academy
  • London Evening Standard
  • Mulberry UTC
  • Stamford Hill Primary School
  • Victim Support

Many Sociology graduates go on to postgraduate study in subjects including social sciences, law, human relations, education, psychology and counselling.

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leader

Why study this course?

95%

Student satisfaction

95% of our students agreed that they were satisfied with the course.

Source: Discover Uni (Accessed December 2020)

Central London location

Study sociology in the heart of a multi-cultural, global city, and benefit from street-based explorations and visits to museums and galleries.

Award-winning teaching team

You'll be taught by an award-winning teaching team who will provide you with the help and support you need to excel in your studies. 

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM 
  • BTEC Diploma – D*D
  • Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.

  • International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

More information

International Foundation course

We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London to provide Foundation Certificate courses for international students who don’t meet our Bachelor’s degree entry requirements.

Find out how to apply for the Foundation Certificate course.

Pre-sessional English programmes

Need to improve your English before starting your course? We offer summer pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

What our students say

Kelsea Costin

Sociology BA - 2023

The Sociology team at Westminster are incredibly compassionate, and I always felt supported in and outside of class. This helped to create trusting relationships with my lecturers and I felt comfortable being myself.  

Harkiran Kaur Bharij

Sociology BA - 2020

I always knew that I wanted to study in London. Not only is the city home to some of the best universities internationally, but it's also one of the most multicultural and diverse places in the world.

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £1,540 (Price per 20-credit module)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £2,570 (Price per 20-credit module)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
24%76%
2
25%75%
3
25%75%
P
2%8%90%
4
21%79%
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
1
100%
2
7%93%
3
7%93%
P
25%75%
4
100%
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2022/23

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.

Subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.

For more details, visit our locations page.

Sociology in the City blog

A blog for students, prospective students, alumni and staff of the Sociology department at the University of Westminster.

Visit the blog

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

More information

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