BA (Hons) - Sociology

This course is subject to validation.
What does this mean?

Explore the forces that shape society and become a catalyst for change with our BA (Hons) Sociology course.

This programme empowers you to engage with pressing social issues, from inequality and social justice to rural deprivation and the politics of everyday life. Through a unique blend of classical theory, contemporary sociological approaches, and practical research, you'll develop the critical insight and analytical skills needed to understand and challenge the structures that shape the world around us.

Whether you're passionate about community engagement, interested in exploring social identities, or keen to tackle systemic disadvantage, you'll become a socially aware, solution-focused individual ready to make a difference. With opportunities to take part in real-world research and community placements during your studies, you’ll graduate ready to enter employment or explore further study in fields such as social work, teaching, criminology, and research.

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Course Overview

Our BA (Hons) Sociology programme explores how social theory, research, and practice can be powerful tools for creating a more just and equitable world. You'll dive into critical issues such as epistemic injustice, rural and coastal deprivation, and wider social disadvantage to develop the critical insight and analytical skills needed to understand and challenge the structures that shape the world around us.

As an innovative thinker, you’ll be encouraged to ask difficult questions, challenge inequality, and imagine alternative futures. This course combines rich theoretical learning with practical, real-world engagement, meaning you’ll conduct research from the very beginning and apply your knowledge through projects that make a tangible impact.

Through lectures, seminars, and practical research activities, you’ll explore specialisms such as criminology, gender, religion, everyday politics, inequality, and social ethics. Teaching is grounded in the research areas and subject specialisms of our academic staff, which reflect current global concerns as well as the challenges facing our local communities.

In your final year, you'll have the chance to apply your learning in a professional setting, with the option to undertake a placement with a local organisation such as Cumbria CVS or Healthwatch. Here you'll carry out a small-scale research project, providing you with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the community while building the skills and experience that matter to future employers.

On this course you will...

Create a research-informed, multi disciplinary, multi faceted programme addressing the needs of future students and our communities.
Have the opportunity to 'open up life, as well as career opportunities', 'value and undertake applied research that reinforces our place, people and practice role'.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
Course LocationLancaster
Institute Institute of Education, Arts and Society
Delivery StyleFace to face
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBA (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysLancaster
All

Minimum entry requirements

104-112

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

In this programme, students will learn how social theory, research, and practice can address issues like epistemic injustice, rural and coastal deprivation, and social disadvantage. The aim is to develop proactive, solution-focused practitioners capable of challenging current inequalities.

Research is central to the programme, with students exploring areas like criminology, gender studies, sociology of religion, and social ethics while also developing essential social research skills. In the third year, students can apply these skills through placements with local organizations, conducting small research projects. The final year provides career-focused opportunities, preparing students for employment or further study in fields such as social work, teaching, criminology, or research.

Overview

104 -112 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range.

GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4/C or above.  Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths and Adult Literacy and Numeracy are also accepted.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

GCSEs: GCSE English and Maths at C/4 or above

A-levels: BCC - BBC

T-levels: P (C+) - M. All subjects are accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 15 Credits at Distinction and 30 at Merit

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C - B

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DMM

Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBA

Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 - B1x3, B2

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to Sociology. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)   

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.   

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.    

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Location
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BA (Hons) - Sociology