Program Overview

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Sociology

BA (Hons)

Overview

The world of sociology explores many aspects of our lives and the challenges we face in the 21st century. Study with us to join the debate on hot topics and learn to carry out research that provides societal insights.

Course Details

Course Structure

We'll introduce you to the differences and divisions sociologists study and how they use research to make sense of the social world. You’ll look at the classical sociologists' views on social institutions; such as family and education.

Understanding change is important too. We’ll cover how transformations taking place in the fields of media, urban space, religion and political movements influence society.

In Year 2, you’ll study some areas more closely. You’ll explore gender through different lenses and investigate the changing world of work; 'race' and ethnicity; global social change; culture and everyday life.

You can shape your study with optional modules. These cover everything from youth and young adulthood to the constantly evolving changes in our intimate relationships.

Throughout your degree, we'll help you develop and apply research skills and experiences to better understand the social world. We’ll assist you in learning how to handle different types of data. You’ll apply this knowledge to your dissertation in your final year which can be on any topic that inspires you.

Learning and Teaching

You’ll learn through a mix of group discussion, independent research and hands-on practical work.

You’ll participate in:

• lectures
• small seminars
• tutorials
• practicals.

Your learning will be led by expert researchers and practitioners, some of whom have international standing. For example, you’ll learn directly from Professor Tina Miller, who is a regular on TV and radio, and part of the BBC Expert Women initiative. All your learning will be directly informed by the latest developments in Sociology.

Assessment

You'll experience a range of different assessment types - to help you showcase your best work. These could include:

• portfolios
• field projects
• group work
• essays
• presentations
• statistical analysis
• in-class tests.

Study Modules

Teaching for this course takes place face to face and you can expect around 9 hours of contact time per week. In addition to this, you should also anticipate a workload of 1,200 hours per year. Teaching usually takes place Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm.

Contact hours involve activities such as lectures, seminars, practicals, assessments, and academic advising sessions. These hours differ by year of study and typically increase significantly during placements or other types of work-based learning.

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

• Becoming Human
• Social Differences and Divisions
• Foundations of Social Theory
• Researching the Social World
• Contemporary Societies: Structure and Change
• Political Socialisation and Ideology

Optional Modules

• Politics in Comparative Perspective
• Global Challenges in International Relations
• Understanding Culture
• Criminal Justice in Action

Year 2

Compulsory Modules

• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Theorising Power & Society
• UK Politics
• Social Research Methods
• Gender and Society
• 'Race', Ethnicity and Inequality
• Global Sociology
• Work, Employment and Society

Optional Modules

• Ritual and Society
• Cities: Geographies of the Urban Experience
• Public Criminology
• Culture and Everyday Life
• State and Society: Europe and the United States
• The Social World of Childhood
• Work Based Learning in Sociology

Optional Year Abroad

• Year Abroad

Final Year

Compulsory Modules

• Sociology Dissertation

Optional Modules

• Freedom, Justice and Liberation
• Sex that offends
• Racialised Identities in Super-Diverse Societies
• Youth and the Transition to Adulthood
• Migration Studies
• Technology and Social Media
• The Prison and Imprisonment
• Gendering Intimate Relationships
• Development and Humanitarianism
• Independent Study

Careers

Employers love seeing sociology degrees on graduates’ CVs. Your broad range of research skills and experience, such as the ability to collect and analyse data, will make you stand out too, making you an invaluable asset to any sector you choose to work in.

A sociology degree also highlights a founded understanding of social and cultural diversity and an awareness of issues around equality and discrimination. You’ll also be able to show creative approaches to organisational change.

Our sociology graduates find careers in a wide range of employment areas:

• local and national government
• the Civil Service
• social services
• health promotion and public health
• teaching
• marketing and advertising
• human resources management
• international development
• think tanks
• policy development
• NGOs and charities.

Entry Requirements

Standard Offer

• UCAS Tariff Points: 104
• A Level: BCC
• IB Points: 29
• BTEC: DMM

Contextual Offer

• UCAS Tariff Points: 88
• A Level: CCD
• IB Points: 27
• BTEC: MMM

Tuition Fees

2025 / 26

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535
• Home (UK) part time: £1,190 per single module
• International full time: £16,750

2026 / 27

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535
• Home (UK) part time: £1,910 per single module
• International full time: £17,250

Funding Your Studies

Financial Support and Scholarships

• Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students
• Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students
• Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students
• Oxford Brookes Bursary for New Students

Additional Costs

• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required.
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies.
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills)
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs)
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography.
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes.