Sociology BSc (Hons)

University of Portsmouth

Overview

Understand how and why the world is changing on this BSc (Hons) Sociology degree course.

Step into the centre of critical debates on current social and political issues, from Brexit and Black Lives Matter, to income inequality, drone warfare, veganism and the #metoo movement. Make sense of what’s going on, why it’s happening, and what we can do about it.

On this BSc (Hons) Sociology degree, you’ll learn classical sociological theories and have the chance to specialise in what interests you most.

You'll graduate with the skills to critically engage with the world around you, aa well as the confidence, knowledge and methods to enact positive change.

Course highlights

• Tailor your studies to topics that matter most to you – from gender, sexuality, race, and social class, to happiness, the body, and the politics of nationalism
• Learn ways to apply classical sociological theories, such as developing policies and actions to produce social change and solutions to the pressing issues affecting the world right now
• Learn from leading sociologists whose research is addressing social issues around the world
• Hear from industry specialists on topics such as racism, asylum and gender-based violence – recent guest speakers have come from Friends Without Borders and Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Services (PARCS)
• Build competent research skills that support you to carry out your own research and analysis of issues you're passionate about – previous student dissertations were on the Black Lives Matter movement, online dating, musical taste and K-Pop, happiness and social media, becoming vegan and racism in sport
• Follow an optional media studies pathway, where you could explore topics such as digital cultures and media fandom

Careers and opportunities

The knowledge you gain on this course, coupled with the communication, research, critical thinking and analysis skills you learn, means you'll have lots of career options when you graduate.

In fact, 95% of graduates from this course are in work or further study 15 months after graduation, earning an average starting salary of £22,000 – higher than the national average for sociology graduates. After 5 years, you could earn up to an average of £32,000.

After the course you could also continue your studies to a PhD or other postgraduate qualification, following in the footsteps of your lecturers.

What sectors can you work in with a sociology degree?

Many of our sociology graduates go into people-focused roles, or in roles that allow them to do research, shape social policies or bring about social change.

Areas you could go into include:

• teaching and lecturing (with additional training or further study)
• research and policy
• health and social care
• advertising, marketing and media
• local government
• careers advice, human resources and recruitment
• charity work and community development

What jobs can you do with a sociology degree?

Roles you could go onto include:

• fundraising and project manager
• hr adviser
• housing strategy and policy officer
• social worker
• evidence and evaluation manager
• peer support and young person's service manager
• recruitment consultant
• senior research executive
• marketing manager
• data analyst
• fraud operations executive

To give you the best chance of securing the ideal job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.

We'll also be available to help, advise and support you for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.