Sociology with Foundation Year

Program Overview

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Sociology with Foundation Year

Overview

The Sociology with Foundation Year program at Bishop Grosseteste University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the study of sociology, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications and research skills.

Why Study This Course

• Gain a broad skill set by combining sociology theory with research skills and practical application
• Guaranteed free interview for PGCE and free interview training
• Work-based study and direct access to local employers embedded within the course
• Cutting-edge research and theoretical perspectives that will help you challenge dominant understandings of society

Course Summary

The Sociology undergraduate degree provides a comprehensive and exciting introduction to the study of all aspects of the social world. The course takes you on a journey from the 19th-century foundations of the discipline through to the social, cultural, and political changes that are reshaping our globalising world.

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons)
• UCAS code: L30F
• Duration: 4 years
• Mode of study: Full time
• Start date: September 2025
• Awarding institution: Bishop Grosseteste University
• Institution code: B38

Entry Requirements

• Application for this course is via UCAS, although there is no formal requirement for UCAS points to access the course (normally GCSE English or equivalent is desirable)
• Different degree subjects may have specific entry requirements to allow you to progress from the Foundation Year

Further Information

• Click here for important information about this course including additional costs, resources, and key policies
• The Foundation Year syllabus does not include any specific element of upskilling in English language, and you are not entitled to apply for Accredited Prior Learning, AP(C)L into a Foundation Year

How You Will Be Taught

• There is no one-size-fits-all method of teaching at BGU – we shape our methods to suit each subject and each group, combining the best aspects of traditional university teaching with innovative techniques to promote student participation and interactivity

Academic Staff

• Dr. Laura Way
• Mary Brown

Assessment

• In Sociology, we see assessment as a powerful driver of student learning and a means for demonstrating what students have learnt
• The course incorporates a range of assessment methods which will allow you to demonstrate a wide range of skills whilst providing a selection of post-degree career paths
• Assessment methods include coursework, small group work, report writing, oral presentations, multi-modal presentations (posters, videos, print), examinations, and individual dissertation projects

Careers & Further Study

• The wide range of graduate-level employment-related opportunities and positions available to BGU Sociology graduates include activism and campaigning, advertising, arts, bankers (e.g., investment bankers, analysts), charity administrators, community and youth workers, curators, entrepreneurs, film makers, financial analysts, journalists, lawyers, lecturers, marketing, police officers, public relations (PR), researchers, school and college teachers, and social workers

What Our Students Say

• 69% say staff value students' views and opinions about the course
• 93% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
• 95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course

Related Courses

• Criminology with Foundation Year
• Education Studies and Sociology
• Education Studies and Sociology with Foundation Year
• Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion (SENDI) and Sociology with Foundation Year
• Psychology and Sociology
• Sociology
• Sociology and Sport
• Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion (SENDI) and Sociology
• Psychology and Sociology with Foundation Year
• Sociology and Sport with Foundation Year

Foundation Year Showcase 2025

• Study

Sociology Graduate and BGU Student Researcher Speaking at TEDX Event

• Events

Order Prospectus

• Book your open day
• How to apply

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Program Outline

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Outline

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Year 1 (Foundation Year):

• Focus: Provides a solid foundation for successful degree-level study in Sociology.
• Structure: Includes eight modules designed to equip students with the necessary academic skills and knowledge to progress in their chosen subject.
• Modules:
• Self as Learner:
Explores and considers what it means to be a successful learner at university.
• Resourcing Learning: Introduces students to various resources and practices for effective learning.
• Critical Engagement: Teaches students to utilize sources in a considerate and critical manner.
• Critical Thinking: Introduces students to the fundamentals of critical thinking and how to apply it in their studies.
• The Digital Learner: Develops student's digital capabilities and confidence in using technology for learning.
• Effective Communication: Explores different communication types and practices for effective communication in various contexts and audiences.
• Reflective Learning: Introduces the principles of reflective learning and collaborative planning.
• Academic Writing: Explores techniques for developing academic writing skills and applies them to a subject-linked topic.

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Years 2-4:

• Focus: Studies the full range of sociological theory and research methods.
• Modules:
• Writing and Thinking Sociologically:
Introduces students to the basics of sociological study and research.
• Social Research Skills: Texts and Interactions: Explores research methods for studying textual and interactional data.
• A Sociological Introduction to Crime & Society: Introduces the sociological perspective on crime and its impact on society.
• What is (the point of) Sociology: Explores the purpose and impact of sociology in modern society.
• Sociology of the Moving Image: Film and Television: Examines the moving image as a central feature of modern society.
• Crime, Culture and Social Change: Explores cultural criminology and its connection to social changes.
• Crime and the Media: Investigates the contested cultural meanings underpinning crime and its portrayal in media.
• Public Sociology: Religion, Race and Sexuality: Focuses on the intersection of race, religion, and sexuality in public discourse.
• Sociology of Sport: Examines the role and function of sport in society from a sociological perspective.
• Sociology of Happiness: Explores the intersection of psychology, sociology, and religion in understanding happiness.
• Advanced Social Research Skills: Equips students with the skills to conduct primary and secondary data research using various methods.
• Sociology of Business & Enterprise: Explores the relationship between business, enterprise, and social change.
• Sociology of Education: Analyzes the design, development, and outcomes of the education system from a sociological perspective.
• Visual Culture, Communication & Commerce: Focuses on developing critical evaluation, presentation, and technological skills in the context of contemporary social issues.
• Surveillance and Society: Analyzes the role and impact of surveillance in contemporary society.
• Sociology of the Body: Explores the social and cultural dimensions of the human body.
• Dissertation: Independent research project on a chosen topic.
• Contemporary Imprisonment: Examines the concept of imprisonment and its impact on society.
• Sociology of Personal Life: Explores the personal and intimate aspects of life through a sociological lens.

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Assessment

• The program utilizes a range of assessment methods, including:
• Short-form writing
• Annotated bibliographies
• Presentations
• Digital technologies
• Reflective journals
• Academic essays
• Coursework
• Small group work
• Report writing
• Oral presentations
• Multi-modal presentations (posters, videos, print)
• Examinations
• Dissertation projects
• Assessment aims to be supportive and promote student development while ensuring core academic skills are acquired for successful degree-level study.
• Assessment aligns with graduate-level expectations and prepares students for career opportunities.

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Teaching

• Small group seminars and workshops provide opportunities for interactive learning and discussion.
• Independent study is encouraged to further engage with course material.
• Placements are available to give students real-world experience and enhance their resume.
• Dr. Laura Way is one of the academic staff members listed in the context.

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Careers

• Graduates pursue careers in various fields, including:
• Activism and campaigning
• Advertising
• Arts
• Banking
• Charity administration
• Community and youth work
• Curating
• Entrepreneurship
• Filmmaking
• Financial analysis
• Journalism
• Law
• Lecturing
• Marketing
• Police work
• Public relations
• Research
• School and college teaching
• Social work

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Other

• The university offers a supportive environment for students with personalized attention and support.
• BGU's Sociology program is described as student-centered and values student input.