Program Overview

Sociology BA Honours

The Sociology BA Honours programme at Newcastle University is designed to equip students with the knowledge base and practical skills of a sociologist. This three-year degree explores cutting-edge sociological theories and research to understand social life, the way the social world works, and how it can be changed for the better.

Course Overview

• The programme includes an introduction to Anthropology, which continues in stages 2 and 3 through compulsory and optional modules.
• Students will gain a solid understanding of sociology and learn from leading research that addresses various contemporary societal challenges.
• A wide variety of optional modules allows students to focus on topics that suit their interests and career plans.

Quality and Ranking

• 18th in the UK – The Guardian University Guide 2026 (Sociology and Social Policy category)
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Top 200 for Sociology - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 42% of research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021

Modules and Learning

Stage 1

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Comparing Cultures: An Introduction to Anthropology
  • The Sociological Imagination: An Introduction to the Discipline
  • Knowing in Sociology: An Introduction to Theory, Methods and Epistemology
  • Understanding Everyday Life
  • Investigating Inequalities and Crime
• Optional Modules:
  • Politics and Society

Stage 2

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Theorising Social Worlds
  • Researching Social Life
  • This is How We Do It: Sociology Research Design and Proposal
• Optional Modules:
  • Career Development for second year students
  • Being Human: debates, questions and conversations in anthropology
  • Climate and Society
  • Sociology of Crime: Social Control in Neoliberal Societies
  • Refugees and Displacement: Borders, Camps, and Asylum
  • Exploring city life: urban studies in action

Stage 3

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Dissertation in Sociology
• Optional Modules:
  • Being Human: debates, questions and conversations in anthropology
  • Regulating Sexuality
  • Critical Approaches to Policing and Security
  • States of Mind: Sociology and Mental Health
  • Who Counts as a Person and Why Does It Matter? Questioning Personhood with Anthropology
  • Exploring city life: urban studies in action
  • Student Exchange
  • Investigating the Body
  • Class in Everyday Life

Opportunities

• Work placement: Get career-ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field.
• Study abroad: Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree.

Facilities and Environment

• The School of Geography, Politics and Sociology is housed in the newly refurbished Henry Daysh Building.
• Students have access to one of the University's largest PC clusters.

Your Future

• Sociology graduates are specifically trained to think critically and strategically, something that many employers desire.
• Graduates can be found working across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, especially in fields that involve a focus on people.

Entry Requirements

• A-Level: ABB
• IB: 32 points
• Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications: Select your qualification to view specific requirements.
• English Language requirements: IELTS, TOEFL, Pearsons, Duolingo English Test, or other qualifications.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

• Home students: Tuition fees for the academic year have not yet been confirmed.
• International students: £24,500 for the first year.
• Scholarships: The University supports EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.