Sociology BA Honours
- UCAS code: L300
- Full time
- 3 years
Sociology at Newcastle will help you to look beyond the every day to challenge and understand the social world we live in and how it shapes our lives.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2025
Next start date:
- September 2025
Fees (per year)
- Home: Not set
- International: £23800
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
This three-year degree equips you with the knowledge base and practical skills of a sociologist. You'll be trained to think about the world with a clarity that employers value.
You will explore cutting-edge sociological theories and research to understand social life, the way the social world works and how it can be changed for the better. You will gain a solid understanding of sociology and learn from leading research that addresses various contemporary societal challenges, such as refugees and displacement, multiculturalism and British identity.
A wide variety of optional modules will allow you to focus on topics that suit your interests and career plans, from childhood, race and ethnicity, class and sexuality, to critical perspectives on policing and security
Your learning will be informed by the latest research from our academic staff, helping you to gain a solid grounding in cutting-edge sociological theories.
Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
Professional accreditation and recognition
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions
You will take a set of core modules in which you will be introduced to the fundamental principles and methods of Sociology. You will learn how to think about the world with a 'sociological imagination', explore key social issues, and apply your learning in the field to make sociological sense of everyday life.
The programme includes an introduction to Anthropology which continues in stages 2 and 3 through compulsory and optional modules. You will also choose an additional module within sociology or beyond.
Modules
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Politics and Society | 20 |
About half of your time will be spent studying core modules on social theory and receiving practical hands-on training in research methods.
You can then choose optional modules – on subjects such as health, childhood, anthropology, refugees and criminology – so that you can begin to shape your degree according to your interests.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Understanding Social Change and Transformation | 20 |
| Researching Social Life | 20 |
| This is How We Do It: Sociology Research Design and Proposal | 20 |
You will specialise and shape your final year to your specific interests by only taking modules of your own choice.
You will also undertake original sociological research that you define, design and conduct in the form part of a dissertation.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation in Sociology | 40 |
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2023-24.
Teaching time is made up of:
- scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
- structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You will learn through lectures and seminars – and in some modules these are supplemented with short field trips. You will devote around 10 hours a week to large and small group study, and you'll supplement this with a maximum of 28 hours’ private study.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
-
Essays
-
Examinations – practical or online
-
Group work
-
Presentations
-
Projects
-
Reflective report/journal
Skills and experience
Practical skills
Studying sociology will equip you with skills such as critical thinking, and the ability to analyse complex data and conduct social research. You will also gain communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
Throughout your degree, you will be encouraged to work independently and in groups to take on practical assignments, fieldwork challenges, hands-on workshops and problem-solving exercises. This will help you to develop skills that are highly sought after by many employers.
Business skills
In our Stage 2 career development module, you can take an assessed work placement with a local organisation such as FoodCycle or the Great North Children's Hospital.
You'll be specifically trained to think in a way that many types of employer are looking for. You will be able to:
- work as part of a team
- breakdown complex problems
- apply a variety of specialist research methods
- analyse data of any kind
- weigh up options
- make evidence-based decisions
- communicate well on paper and in person
Research skills
You will benefit from practical training in research methods such as ethnography, sampling, questionnaire design, statistical analysis, qualitative interviewing and focus groups.
In your final year, you will then conduct independent research into a topic of your choice and present your findings in a dissertation of 10,000 to 13,000 words.
Opportunities
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Find out more about work placements
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You may choose to spend either one or two semesters on an international exchange at a partner institution. The exchange usually takes place at Stage 3 with either the first semester (September to January) or the full year being the period of the exchange.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
You will be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology.
This is housed in the newly refurbished Henry Daysh Building, right at the heart of our city-centre campus, where you will attend lectures, take part in seminars, and have access to one of the University's largest PC clusters.
You will also be given free access to install and use SPSS – the professional-standard software for statistical analysis.
Support
You will join a friendly community where the academics will get to know you as an individual, and there are active student-run societies for Sociology.
You will also have a student mentor to show you the ropes, and a personal tutor to help with any academic and pastoral issues.
Your future
Read what our graduates have to say about studying Sociology at Newcastle University
As a Sociology graduate, you will be specifically trained to think critically and strategically, something that many employers desire. You will be able to break down complex problems, apply a variety of specialist research methods, analyse data of any kind, weigh up options, make evidence-based decisions and communicate well on paper and in person.
Our graduates can be found working across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors – especially in fields that involve a focus on people. These include the Civil Service, education, human resources, information technology, journalism, marketing, public relations and social work.
Others choose to progress to postgraduate master's-level courses in teaching, media studies, social research, international politics and law.
Make a difference
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Careers support
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications
Contextual Offers
Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed (see ‘Home Fee Students’ information below).
| Qualification: BA Honours | |
|---|---|
|
Home students full time 3 years |
Tuition fees (per year)
Not set |
|
International students full time 3 years |
Tuition fees (per year)
23800 |
Year abroad and additional costs
For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Scholarships
Find out more about:
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- explore our beautiful campus
- find out about our vibrant city
- discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
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Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually.
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How to apply
Apply through UCAS
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- the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
- the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
- the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
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