Program Overview

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BSc Sociology and Philosophy (LV35)

2026 entry

Course summary

Study a course that is equally weighted towards sociology and philosophy and takes units from both subjects throughout.

The sociology half of the degree places particular emphasis on sociological theory and its application to real-world concerns covering topics such as consumption, the environment, modern slavery, risk and food. Sociology also provides an opportunity to develop your research skills.

The philosophy element offers you a thorough understanding of philosophy including logic and critical thinking, epistemology and metaphysics and a range of other units including ethics and political philosophy.

You will study units including Introduction to Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking and Realism and Normativity, and may write an extended essay.

We provide regular workshops, guest speakers, reading groups and social events, as well as support for the student societies associated with this course.

Skills development is woven throughout your programme and you will graduate with valuable transferable skills that ensure you are well placed to pursue your career goals.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAB
• A-level contextual offer: BBB
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• UCAS (Code: LV35)

Location

• Clifton campus

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £24800 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Course structure

Your first year includes compulsory units to ensure you build a solid grounding in both disciplines and you will have greater choices of units as you progress through the course.

The wide-ranging, flexible curriculum provides progressive intellectual challenges and consolidates your experience throughout.

Both schools encourage synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment. This course combination offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAB including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

A-level contextual offer

• BBB including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

BTEC

• DDD in any essay-based Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

European Baccalaureate

• 80% overall, with 8.0 in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AB including an essay-based subject, and Standard Higher: AAABB. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art and Design (all pathways)
  • Business Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Classics
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • English Language and Literature
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Government and Politics
  • Greek
  • Health and Social Care
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Social Care
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Theatre Studies
  • Welsh

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include:
  • 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above
  • and at least 12 credits (including 9 at Distinction) in a single essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
    • Ancient History
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Art and Design (all pathways)
    • Business Studies
    • Chinese
    • Classical Civilisation
    • Classics
    • Drama
    • Economics
    • English Language
    • English Language and Literature
    • English Literature
    • Environmental Science
    • Environmental Studies
    • Film
    • French
    • Geography
    • German
    • Government and Politics
    • Greek
    • Health and Social Care
    • History
    • History of Art
    • Italian
    • Latin
    • Law
    • Media Studies
    • Music
    • Performance
    • Philosophy
    • Politics
    • Portuguese
    • Psychology
    • Religious Studies
    • Russian
    • Social Care
    • Social Policy
    • Sociology
    • Spanish
    • Theatre Studies
    • Welsh

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Sociology and Philosophy can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Applicants must also meet these requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent)
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level B.
• Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.