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BA (Hons) Sociology

See the world differently

Year of entry: 2023/24

UCAS code

L300

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

ABB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2023 (semester dates)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£21,950 per year

Undergraduate Open Days

Book your place for our Open Days on 1 and 2 July.

Discover York

in the UK for Sociology research impact

Times Higher Education’s ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

in the UK for Criminology

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

in the UK for Education

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023

Examine how our actions are shaped by our social environment and explore the values, ideas and beliefs people hold, and the lives we live.

Understand how social, economic, political and cultural forces shape individuals. Challenge your views on topics debated in society and learn to evaluate evidence, think critically and craft arguments – attributes valued by employers.

World top 100

for Sociology (QS World Rankings by Subject 2022)

Regular events

We organise events in the department that will help you tackle challenges and prepare for your career

Not only have I made great friends, but I am able to study things I genuinely have an interest in. The staff in the department are very approachable and are always willing to support every student. I feel like being a part of such a wonderful department has definitely contributed to my amazing time at university.
Zoe, BA Sociology with Criminology. Learn more from Zoe.

Course content

Our teaching is led by our research covering real-world issues. Core modules in your first year will introduce you to the breadth of Sociology. You'll study the sociology of science, communication, sexuality, health, criminology and media.

You'll explore how technologies, gender, institutions, culture, and interactions with others shape our identities, choices and actions.

As you progress, you'll develop specialisms and expertise, leading up to your dissertation.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Year 1

In Year 1, you'll be introduced to classic and contemporary social theory, criminology and social psychology. You will learn the skills sociologists need, such as presentation and writing skills, while having your sociological imagination inspired and challenged.

Core modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Define, interpret, and explain multi-faceted contemporary issues, and their implications for individual lives, social groups, and institutions, by combining knowledge of key sociological concepts and theories with a critical and reflexive understanding of the complexities of present-day societies
  • Access, evaluate, and critically analyse evidence-based claims concerning social issues and cultural trends.
  • Address and evaluate social problems and interactions effectively by systematically challenging commonly held assumptions.
  • Design and undertake ethical, responsible research projects which draw upon appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative skills to produce empirically rigorous analysis of social issues.
  • Critically synthesise and communicate complex information and arguments about emerging social issues in appropriate formats and via a range of media and digital technologies.
  • Work creatively in teams by cooperating with others in a manner which recognises diverse views, values, and the cultural position of others.
  • Identify and plan future learning requirements by recording, reflecting on and evaluating personal learning and development, towards a range of future careers.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £21,950

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Additional costs

You may choose to buy textbooks, but this is not required. You may also incur some minor costs through occasional printing or photocopying, and the production of your final year dissertation.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2023/24 throughout the year.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

There are so many themes to the course. I've gone from learning about crime and gender, to examining areas like the role of the paranormal in society, and art, taste and social stratification. In my dissertation I focused on the cultural relevance of the TV show The Simpsons - it's been fascinating to learn how something so seemingly unimportant can actually influence our society!
Robin, BA Sociology

Teaching and assessment

As you progress through your course, you'll take part in a range of activities designed to help you develop essential skills.

Careers and skills

You'll develop a range of transferable skills to help you succeed in whatever career you choose. 

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels

ABB

Access to Higher Education Diploma 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher
BTEC National Extended Diploma DDM
Cambridge Pre-U D3, M2, M2
European Baccalaureate An overall average of 75%
International Baccalaureate 34 points overall
T levels We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Scottish Highers - ABBBB

Advanced Highers - not required for entry

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS, YorWay to York. More about widening participation.
Contextual offers If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers.
EPQ If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.
Core Maths If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you've not met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Mature students are welcomed and applications will be considered individually.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Learn more

Department of Sociology

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