Program Overview

---

Sociology - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Sociology at Ulster has a record of excellence in teaching and learning, regularly achieving 100% satisfaction rates in the National Student Survey.

Summary

Sociology is concerned with developing theories and concepts to explain the origins and nature of the contemporary social world and seeks to justify such theories through systematically collected evidence. A central aim is to provide students with explanatory frameworks relevant to both the wider society in which they will live and the employment settings in which they will work.

Through the Sociology curriculum, you can explore in depth a range of social issues in contemporary Ireland and the world, and understandings of advanced industrial societies, digital sociology, global development, education, work, conflict, and diversity.

Our curriculum draws on the research strengths of our staff, ensuring you learn cutting-edge sociological theory with the opportunity to explore real case studies. The Ulster University Sociology degrees provide a strong element of research training, giving our graduates access to the best research skills available, and access to a wide range of careers.

About this course

About

There are three key emphases in the Sociology degree: an emphasis on the theories and explanatory frameworks found in sociology; an emphasis on examining the social features of contemporary society within a global context; and an emphasis on developing student skills in the collection and assessment of evidence and the development of arguments.

During your degree, you will have an opportunity to apply your sociological knowledge through a range of projects and placements, as well as in in-depth discussions with teaching staff. Our approach to teaching and learning gives you a range of opportunities through the degree to reflect on and shape your developing areas of interest in sociology.

Sociology at Ulster has a history of receiving excellent external examiner reports and very high approval ratings in the National Student Survey (which is completed by final year students).

Associate awards

• Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
• Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS

Attendance

The Sociology degree is a 3 year programme. Students take 6 modules each year.

Each module usually involves two hours of lectures plus a one hour seminar each week. Workshops may be offered in applied modules.

In addition, students are required to undertake substantial directed independent learning.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Students on the Sociology degree learn through a range of lecture, seminar and workshop classes. Projects and placements support the applied elements of the degree.

Assessments on the degree include essays, reports, exams, and presentations. Students are introduced to a range of different formats to increase transferable skills and provide the opportunity to apply knowledge in a range of contexts. You will also be invited to explore current technologies in the presentation of your work.

All students complete an independent research study (dissertation) in their final year. This is supervised individually by a member of staff who will help you to shape your chosen topic and create original sociological knowledge.

Modules

Year one

• Foundations of Political Thought
• Introduction to Sociology
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Contemporary Culture & Social Change
• The Sociological Imagination
• Introduction to Social Policy and Social Justice

Year two

• Classical sociological theory
• Quantitative research methods
• Exploring Digital Social Worlds
• Contemporary Ireland
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Conflict, Peace and Security

Year three

• International Academic Studies (Study Abroad) (optional)
• Professional Practice – Applied Social and Policy Sciences (optional)

Year four

• Workplace Ethnography
• Methodology, Ethics and Politics of Research
• Contemporary sociological theory
• Global Inequalities: Issues and Challenges
• Dissertation
• Media, Culture and Society (optional)
• Sociology of Education (optional)
• Professional Placement (optional)
• Sport in Society (optional)

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

The A Level requirement for this course is BCC*.

• Applicants can satisfy the requirement for the third A Level by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications recognised by the University.

Applied General Qualifications

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

Award profile of DMM.

You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard. Examples of qualifications include;

Smaller BTEC/OCR qualifications (i.e. Diploma or Extended Certificate/Introductory Diploma / Subsidiary Diploma) in combination with A Levels or other acceptable level 3 qualifications.

BTEC Level 3 RQF National Extended Certificate in Children's Play, Learning and Development is accepted

To find out if the qualification you are applying with is a qualification we accept for entry, please check our Qualification Checker - our Equivalence Entry Checker.

We will also continue to accept QCF versions of these qualifications although grades asked for may differ. Check what grades you will be asked for by comparing the requirements above with the information under QCF in the Applied General and Tech Level Qualifications section of our Entry Requirements.

Irish Leaving Certificate

104 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher Level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher Level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is grades BCCCC.

Scottish Advanced Highers

The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is grades CDD.

International Baccalaureate

Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum of 24 points (12 at higher level). Grade 4 in Higher or Subsidiary Level English Language is also required.

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Pass Access Diploma NI (120 Credits) with an overall mark of 60%.

Pass Access to HE Diploma (GB) with 12 Distinctions, 30 Merits and 3 Passes.

GCSE

You must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass in English Language at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). The Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences will accept Essential Skills Level 2 Communication as equivalent to GCSE English Language.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• PwC
• NI Civil Service
• Start 360
• Princes Trust
• Deloitte
• PSNI
• Health & Social Care Trusts

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Social Researcher
• Civil Servant
• Community Development Worker
• Policy Officer
• Further Education or Secondary School Teacher
• International Aid Development Worker
• Human Resource Manager

Career options

The course provides the opportunity for you to acquire a valuable combination of skills and opens up a wide range of postgraduate educational and career opportunities. The detailed knowledge and understanding of society and social life that you will gain from the degree equips you with core skills to work in a rich variety of settings. In recent years our graduates have found employment in areas including: human resource management, health administration, PSNI, the Civil Service, market research, industrial relations, health administration and private sector consultancy. Many others have gone on to take postgraduate courses in Sociology, Media Studies, Social Work, Education and Heritage Studies.

Our graduates stay in touch with us, offering advice and support to current students, and sharing knowledge from each of their industries. In addition, employability skills sessions are built into our curriculum, ensuring that you can demonstrate excellence in a wide range of skills on graduation.

Work placement / study abroad

Sociology students have the opportunity to take a year out from their programme to carry out a work placement or participate in one of the study abroad schemes. Students who successfully complete the year abroad will either be awarded a Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP), based on work experience, or a Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS), based on study at another educational institution.

Fees and funding

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£4,855.00

England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees

£9,535.00

International Fees

£17,010.00

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.