Program Overview

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Join one of the top sociology departments in the UK, ranked 59th globally and 10th in the UK for sociology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023), and further your understanding of the tensions, interactions and networks that dictate how societies are organised. You contribute to the thinking that guides organisations such as the Home Office, Amnesty International and the United Nations. You explore some of the most important and significant debates in contemporary social theory, learning to think analytically about theoretical questions. You discover the importance of social theory in developing a politically engaged understanding of concepts such as post-structuralism, feminism and actor-network theory, focusing on topics such as:

• The history of digital piracy
• Sociology of human rights
• Media and criminology
• Gender and sexuality
• Citizenship

You also develop the skills needed to make your own contribution to the field, gaining a critical and coherent perspective on empirical research and examining the key assumptions and ideological underpinnings of qualitative and quantitative research. Our Department of Sociology is 2nd in UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021). Why we're great.

• We spearhead the pursuit for a new understanding of the social world, exploring social justice and equality
• We are ranked 59th globally and 10th in the UK for sociology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023)
• We are 2nd in UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Our expert staff

We are a large and friendly department, offering a diverse range of research interests and with staff members who are committed to teaching, research and publication that covers a broad geographical spectrum. Many have worked at the local level with local authorities, justice councils, community partnerships and charities. Others have worked at a national and international level with bodies like the United Nations, the European Commission’s Expert Group on Public Understanding of Science, Amnesty International, The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Home Office and national non-governmental organisations.

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Specialist facilities

• Dedicated postgraduate support facilities
• Our renowned off-campus Graduate Conference takes place every February
• A unique Student Resource Centre where you can get help with your studies, access examples of previous students’ work, and attend workshops on research skills
• The Sociology common room is open all day Monday-Friday, is stocked with daily newspapers, magazines and journals, and has free drinks available
• Links with the Institute of Social and Economic Research, which conducts large-scale survey projects and has its own library, and the UK Data Archive, which stores national research data like the British Crime Survey
• Our students’ Sociology Society , a forum for the exchange of ideas, arranging talks by visiting speakers, introducing you to various career pathways, and organising debates

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Your future

A good sociology course, especially one from a recognised centre of excellence like Essex, opens many doors. This course provides excellent preparation for further academic study, and many of our postgraduates go on to successful academic careers, both in the UK and overseas. Others have established careers in non-governmental organisations, local authorities, specialist think tanks, government departments, charities, media production, and market intelligence. We work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.