Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy

Overview

Our Sociology and Social Policy course will help you understand the way society works, and the processes and outcomes of social welfare. Studying Sociology will help you to understand how society shapes individuals and how individuals create society. And you’ll explore crucial questions about diversity, discrimination and inequality in the 21st century. Social Policy takes this to the next level, examining the ways in which states and societies try to address social problems. You’ll learn about how social policy is made and explore the debates around what works to address contemporary social issues.

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons)
• Start date: September 2025, January 2026
• Duration: 48 months
• Mode of study: full time
• Delivery: on campus
• UCAS Code: L431
• Study abroad opportunities

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• We're ranked Top 5 in Scotland for Sociology (The Complete University Guide 2025)
• We're ranked Top 5 in Scotland, and top 15 in the UK for Social Policy (The Complete University Guide 2025)
• Our modules are taught by experts in their fields and teaching is informed by the latest developments in social research

Entry Requirements

Year 1 Entry – Four-year Honours

• SQA Highers: ABBB
• GCE A-levels: BBB
• IB Diploma: 28 points
• BTEC (Level 3): DDM
• Widening access students: Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
• Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Year 2 Entry – Three-year Honours

• SQA Advanced Highers: ABB
• GCE A-levels: ABB
• IB Diploma: 32 points
• Essential subjects: To include Sociology

Other Scottish Qualifications

• Scottish HNC/HND: Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
• Access courses: University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
• SWAP access course - for mature students only.
• Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
• Foundation Apprenticeships: Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B

Other Qualifications

• English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND: Merits and Distinctions
• English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses: Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.

International Entry Requirements

View the entry requirements for your country

Advanced Entry

• Year 2 and Year 3 entry: Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
• Other qualifications: Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at .

Other Routes of Entry

If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Course Details

In Semesters 1-4, you’ll take the following core modules:

• Applying a Sociological Lens - showing the power of thinking sociologically about the social order and a range of contemporary social issues.
• Applying a Social Policy Lens – introducing you to an understanding of social policy as a subject of study with a focus on contemporary Britain.
• Social Science Skills and their Applications – developing your understanding of how social science knowledge is produced and how research methods relate to theory.
• The Development of Social Theory – an introduction to classical and contemporary social theory.

You’ll also take additional modules in any subject in semesters 1-4.

In Semesters 5-8, you’ll take three core modules:

• The Research Process is split into two modules in 3rd year, which explore how to design a research project, and how to collect and analyse different types of data.
• Dissertation – this is your chance to apply all of your learning in the final year of your degree, undertaking a research project on a topic of your own choice.

You'll also choose seven advanced option modules across 3rd and 4th year, which could include: Sociology of Childhood; Crimes of the Powerful; Punishment and Society; Social Networks and Social Connections; Understanding Crime Trends; Drugs Crime and Society; Gender, Crime and Justice; Social Policy on the Ground; Home, Housing and Community; Policing and Society; or Disability and Society.

Modules

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Teaching

You’ll be taught through lectures, workshops and small discussion groups. These may be a mix of campus based and online.

Year 1 modules aim to bridge the gap between school and university study through coursework assessments. You’ll also receive tuition in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, which is invaluable for your Year 4 dissertation.

Assessment

Assessment for each module is usually based on a combination of coursework and examinations, for example, one essay (30 percent) and an examination (70 percent). The final-year dissertation counts for three modules. Your dissertation gives you the opportunity to put research methods you’ve studied into practice, and focus on a particular interest.

Classroom Hours

Typically, each module in Sociology and/or Social Policy consists of two lectures plus one workshop per week.

Fees and Funding

Fees and Costs

• Scottish students: This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
• International students (including EU): Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

Funding

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

• Students from Scotland: Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
• International students: Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

After You Graduate

Preparing You for the World of Work

Our Sociology and Social Policy graduates work in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Many students value their learning experience with us and go on to take a masters or PhD at postgraduate level, with a view to becoming a researcher or academic.

Tailored careers advice is available throughout your time at the University of Stirling.

What Our Students Said

View more student stories

Lesley Dugan
Northern Ireland
BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy

"My degree gave me a broad skill set by combining sociological theory with research skills, which I found particularly useful when drafting cases for support in my fundraising work."

Read Lesley's story

View more student stories

Flexible Study

Sociology and Social Policy is just one of the course combinations available to study at Stirling. You can also study Sociology or Social Policy in any of these combinations:

• Course combination | UCAS code
• Sociology and Criminology | UCAS code for this combination: LM39
• Sociology and Film and Media | UCAS code for this combination: LP33
• Sociology and History | UCAS code for this combination: LV31
• Sociology and History and Professional Education | UCAS code for this combination: VXD1
• Sociology and Politics | UCAS code for this combination: LL23
• Sociology and Psychology | UCAS code for this combination: CL83
• Sociology and Religion | UCAS code for this combination: LV36
• Sociology and Social Policy | UCAS code for this combination: L431
• Sociology and Spanish | UCAS code for this combination: LR34
• Social Policy and Criminology | UCAS code for this combination: LL64
• Social Policy and Politics | UCAS code for this combination: LL24

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) Criminology and Social PolicyUCAS Code: LL64
• BA (Hons) Criminology and SociologyUCAS Code: LM39
• BA (Hons) Social WorkUCAS Code: L500