Durham University
Sociology BA (Hons)
Durham University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 25 graduates of Sociology BA (Hons) at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Sociology.

Overall student satisfaction
88 /100
25 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Sociology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Sociology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £26500 £32000
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £30000 £21500 - £34500 £24000 - £41500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Sociology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23013 £20757 £24208
25-75 percentile range £19989 - £26124 £15689 - £25435 £18599 - £30307

Course Description

Sociology aims to understand the relationships between individual people and the wider cultural and institutional contexts within which they live. It is concerned with the nature of what we refer to as "society", how it shapes the way in which we live and, in turn, how it is shaped by our individual and collective action.

As a student of Sociology, you will join a dynamic learning and research community, which includes internationally recognised experts actively involved in collaborative projects focused on local, national and international issues. We are defined by our curiosity about the issues that impact the world around us and our drive to use our work to bring about positive social change.

Drawing on this expertise, this course explores key social issues that affect our everyday lives including education, employment, health, criminality, race and digital technologies. Alongside these kinds of topics, you will learn about historical and contemporary concepts that define sociological thought and place them within their social and political contexts.

You will also learn how to design and carry out sociological research through research projects carried out in the second and final year of study. We offer the option to undertake a placement with a local community organisation to deploy your knowledge in an applied setting. And we also offer the opportunity to study in conjunction with Durham's local prisons through our renowned Inside Out Prison exchange programme.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Sociology BA (Hons) at Durham University

30% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Process, plant and machine operatives
10% Elementary occupations
5% Engineering professionals
5% Information Technology Professionals
5% Skilled trades occupations
5% Caring personal services
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Sales occupations

Grading & Study Time

Assessment is largely coursework-based, with work such as essays, reports, portfolios, reflections and presentations accounting for approximately 80% of your final grade. Assessments aim to assess your knowledge and understanding in an authentic manner, as well as helping you develop your skills in critical thinking, analysis and communication. There are also regular opportunities for practice and feedback, for example: practice essays; essay plans; one-to-one and group tutorials; and so on.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

M in T Level Health, Healthcare Science, or Science.

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

Access to HE Diploma

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBC (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Sociology, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Sociology BA (Hons)

Ireland £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
EU £23500 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £23500 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Durham University in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #12 
    • #91 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]
    • #23 
    • #166 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #7 
    • #8 
    Sociology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #13 
    • #76 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #16 
    • #81 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #15 
    • #101 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

See all 37 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
  • Durham University: A day in the life
  • What I wish I'd known before coming to Durham
  • HT Top 10 things about being a student at Durham University
  • What is your favourite thing about Durham?
  • Ustinovian leavers: “Advice to new students”

Where is this programme taught

Durham City
map marker Show on map
College allocation pending
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
History and Sociology (Including Foundation Year) BA (Hons) University of Essex 67% 5% 5% £9250 £19500 129 Colchester On campus Full-time
Media Communications and Sociology BA/BSc (Hons) Bath Spa University 74% 5% 10% £9250 £16675 122 Bath On campus Full-time
History and Sociology BA (Hons) University of Sussex 68% 5% 7% £9250 £21500 135 Brighton On campus Full-time
Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons) Brunel University - - - £9250 £17665 £19430 - Uxbridge On campus Full-time
Politics and Sociology BA (Hons) University of Exeter 84% 5% 10% £9250 £23700 161 Exeter On campus Full-time
Politics and Sociology BA (Hons) University of Sussex 68% 5% 20% £9250 £21500 133 Brighton On campus Full-time
Culture, Heritage and Sociology BA (Hons) University of the Highlands and Islands 95% 5% 15% £6120 £6120 £6540 £6960 140 Inverness On campus Full-time
Sociology BA (Hons) Bishop Grosseteste University - 0% 0% £9250 £12690 83 Lincoln On campus Full-time
Criminology and Sociology BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University 73% 0% 0% £9250 £12500 113 Liverpool On campus Full-time
Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons) University of Essex 64% 0% 0% £9250 £19500 160 Colchester On campus Full-time