Program Overview

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Overview

Our BA (Hons) Sociology degree is a radical and practical course. It is theoretically driven and empirically informed, as well as locally situated and globally focused. The discipline of Sociology helps us to make sense of the world and our place within it.

What's covered in this course?

You will examine patterns and processes of inequality, the production of social identity and hierarchies, and how people reaffirm/contest their position in society.

Professional Placement year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

Why Choose Us?

• We aim to infuse learning with exposure to real-world experiences. Through participation in the Social Impact Hub, we give students the chance to work on real-life projects. These offer a unique opportunity for students to gain this invaluable experience while they study.
• We pride ourselves on being the University for Birmingham and our commitment to contribute to the city and local community. As part of this commitment, we have forged strong links with local organisations across the city and many graduates end up playing valuable roles in the local community.
• We have strong links with West Midlands Police and regularly welcome serving officers and experts to give guest lectures and provide opportunities for exposure to real-world activities.
• We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with local businesses, we aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career.
• The STEAMhouse offers amazing opportunities for entrepreneurial students to kick start and build a business or organisation. Services available include the Incubator which helps focus and solidify business ideas and the Hatchery which offers support in getting your business or organisation off the ground.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
• Accelerate offer: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Find out more about BCU Accelerate.

A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements

Qualification| Entry requirements
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A Level / AS Level |

• A Level: 112 UCAS Tariff points / BBC (or equivalent)
• AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
• A maximum of four subjects will be considered

Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate) |

• 112 UCAS Tariff points
• Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
• Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
• Excluded subjects: Early Years and Children's Play Learning and Development

T Level |

• Merit overall
• All subjects considered

Access to HE Diploma |

• Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3
• Accepted subjects: Social Sciences or Humanities

OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications | 112 UCAS Tariff points
NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications | 112 UCAS Tariff points
WJEC Level 3 qualifications |

• 112 UCAS Tariff points
• Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)

Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) | Minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher | 112 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC)
Welsh Baccalaureate | 112 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

International qualifications

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall.

EU / International students

Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

Mode| Duration| Fees

Full Time| 3 Years| £9,535 in 2025/26 Part Time| 5 Years| Show fees

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

£1590 per 20 credits Year 1 - 80 credits Year 2 - 80 credits Year 3 - 80 credits Year 4 - 80 credits Year 5 - 40 credits

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

Mode| Duration| Fees

Full Time| 3 Years| £17,690 in 2025/26

Course in Depth

First Year

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

• Sociological Perspectives 20 credits
• City, Community, Culture 20 credits
• Crime, Punishment & Society 20 credits
• Sociological Imagination 20 credits
• Politics & Society 20 credits
• Becoming a Social Researcher 20 credits

Second Year

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits).

• Current Issues in Sociology 20 credits
• Media & Popular Culture 20 credits
• Race, Racism and Inequality 20 credits
• Applied Sociological Research 20 credits
• Contemporary Social Theory 20 credits

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.

• Sociology Placement 20 credits
• Space, Place and Society 20 credits
• Environmental Sociology and Social Justice 20 credits

Professional Placement (Optional)

In order to qualify for the award of BA (Hons) Sociology with Professional Placement Year you must successfully complete the following module.

• Professional Placement Year 120 credits

Final Year

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).

• Globalisation, Migration and Borders 20 credits
• Self, Identity and Society 20 credits
• Integrated Research Project 40 credits

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.

• Music and Society 20 credits
• Activism, Social Movements and Social Change 20 credits
• Black Arts Movement 20 credits
• Global Cities 20 credits
• Postcolionality 20 credits

Employability

Enhancing employability skills

The programme is committed to excellent employability outcomes for its students. To this end, the programme team ensure that all students are actively encouraged to engage in semester-long work placements, as well as a year-long placement opportunity between the second and third year of study.

Placements

During your second year, you have the option to undertake a semester-long placement, allowing you to draw upon our many links with local voluntary, statutory and commercial organisations. Additionally, between your second and third years of study you can elect to work for a placement organisation for up to 12 months. Assistance will be given.

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent over £400 million on new learning facilities.

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other social sciences, law and business students.

Our staff

• Dr Nathan Kerrigan
• Andrew Dixon
• Dr Gary Hazeldine
• Professor Kehinde Andrews
• Dr Ryan Scoats

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