Accessibility statement

Teaching Brings

 

why Choose York?

6 reasons to study

We consistently rank highly for student satisfaction (NSS)

Why study sociology at York?

Degree course information

Key facts

  • A top ranking Sociology department for research in the UK according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of REF 2021
  • Opportunities to gain work experience, intern and study abroad
  • Academics at the forefront of research and policy making 
  • High profile research projects such as the BBC Great British Class Survey
  • Dynamic student run Sociology Society
  • Departmental prizes which encourage and reward high achievement

1. Tailor your degree to suit you

You can study Sociology or Criminology as a single subject, or Sociology in combination with Criminology, Social Psychology, Education or Philosophy. Whatever path you choose, you’ll get a solid grounding in the influence of social media, popular culture, science and technology, alongside traditional areas of class, gender and ethnicity. 

2. Reputation

We rank 1st in the UK for research impact according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of REF 2021. We also rank in the world top 100 in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2022.

3. Employability

We help prepare you for employment from the very start of your degree – teaching transferable skills, offering hands-on guidance through Careers Support, and giving you opportunities to gain work experience and study abroad. Our graduates take these unique skills, experiences and insights and forge successful careers all over the world.

4. We wrote the book

We’ve been a frontrunner for sociological exploration for a long time, and we're making more impact than ever by constantly developing our research, and creating a dynamic research culture that is dermined to have a strong impact on the field of sociology. Our academic staff are widely published, and chances are you’ve read their works in A Level Sociology.

5. Inspirational teaching

Our outstanding teaching makes a difference to students both within and beyond the academy. Everyone in the department is committed to helping you flourish academically..

6. Our Student Society – as colourful and diverse as sociology itself

The University Sociology Society – warmly known to us as SocSoc – is a lively network of current students, academic staff, prospective students and alumni. SocSoc recently won the University of York Students’ Union Award for best course representative and academic society team.