Goldsmiths, University of London
Sociology (Visual Sociology) MA
Goldsmiths, University of London

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Sociology (Visual Sociology) MA at Goldsmiths, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
40 /100
15 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in sociology, social policy and anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology 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 £23500 £28000
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £27500 £16500 - £28000 £20000 - £33000


Salary of all UK Graduates of sociology, social policy and anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £22450 £26876
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £16925 - £28392 £20314 - £34845

Course Description

This MA is designed for students interested in new ways of exploring and understanding the social world through the use of visual, sensory and other experimental approaches. You’ll study sociological issues alongside innovative methods and gain the tools needed to examine, represent and intervene in the social world.

Why study MA Sociology (Visual Sociology) at Goldsmiths

  • You’ll join students from a wide variety of backgrounds, including art, design, anthropology, media and communications, cultural studies, geography, and sociology.
  • You’ll develop the ability to carry out empirical research and present it publicly in a variety of media and materials. You’ll engage with sociology as an inventive research practice, using creative research methods to address classic and changing sociological problems.
  • You’ll be introduced to the range of debates in visual research and encouraged to build on these by using visual, sensory and inventive methodological practices to carry out critical social research in your areas of interest, whether this is science and technology, contemporary capitalism, gender and sexual cultures, race, human rights, globalisation, or other aspects of social life.
  • Combining lectures and seminars with practical sessions and workshop-based projects, this MA will help you develop a hands-on approach to sociological research. You’ll gain a skills base in methods which could be used in public sector contexts, art or media research, design or commercial application.
  • As well as presenting your ideas through writing, you’ll have the opportunity to produce different outputs, including film/video, photography, sound and multimedia pieces. You’ll also have the opportunity to organise and curate some of this work in an exhibition.
  • Critical feedback sessions function as a testing ground for individual projects, and themed projects allow you to further develop a portfolio of research outputs geared to a variety of audiences.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to design and reflect on your own research projects. The dissertation allows you to complete a substantive research project on your individual interests, supported by one-to-one supervision with a member of staff.
  • You’ll have access to post-production and editing stations, as well as equipment for photography and video. You can also borrow audio-visual and media equipment from the IT Service Desk.
  • The MA is based in the Department of Sociology, home of The Methods Lab and at the forefront of research using 'live sociology' which embraces methodological innovation. You’ll be taught by staff with a wide range of experience in both sociology and interdisciplinary research, including visual and experimental approaches. Our world-leading Department has been rated top 10 in the UK for sociology in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

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 (Visual Sociology) MA at Goldsmiths, University of London

20% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
15% Sales occupations
10% Administrative occupations
5% Design occupations
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Therapy professionals

Grading & Study Time

Assessment consists of coursework, extended essays, reports, presentations, practice based projects or essays/logs, group projects, reflective essays, and seen and unseen written examinations.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

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

    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • (minimum 6.0 in Writing)
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • (minimum 6.0 in Writing)
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Sociology (Visual Sociology), MA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard (or equivalent) in Sociology or a relevant/related subject.

You might also be considered if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme.

Costs

Average student cost of living in London

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 Goldsmiths, University of London in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Goldsmiths, University of London in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #20 
    • #126 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]
    • #8 
    • #58 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #70 
    • #83 
    Sociology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #101 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #28 
    • #142 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

See all 21 university rankings of Goldsmiths, University of London

About Goldsmiths, University of London

Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths, University of London, is located in the South-Eastern area of London known as New Cross. The facilities are impressive at this university, providing students with Art, TV, and Radio studios, as well as a host of other resources aimed at optimising the experience for students on any of their courses. With Goldsmith’s exceptionally active event calendar, making new connections is easy, giving learners a way to socialise without even having to step foot off campus.

List of 196 Bachelor and Master Courses from Goldsmiths, University of London - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Goldsmiths, University of London

undergraduates:
5445
postgraduates:
2875
Total:
8320
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Where is this programme taught

Goldsmiths, University of London
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