BA Sociology

at Durham University

Program structure

Year 1

You will develop knowledge and understanding of foundational concepts and issues in Sociology and Sociological Research, as a platform for study in Years 2 and 3.

Compulsory modules:

• Classical Sociological Theory

• Critical Scholarship in the Social Sciences

• Social Research Methods

• Societies in Transition.

Examples of optional module:

• Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere in the Department (e.g. Introduction to Criminological Theory) or by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.

Year 2

You will develop your understanding of key issues in sociological theory and research, building on work completed during the first year of study. You will also begin to study in detail various topics of substantive sociological relevance that relate to the Department’s major research themes.

Compulsory modules:

• Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory

• Research Methods in Action.

Examples of optional modules:

• Communities and Social Justice

• Contemporary Criminological Theory

• Crime, Power and Social Inequalities

• Police and Policing

• Self, Identity and Society

• Sociology of Education and Social Inequalities

• Sociology of Health and Medicine

• Violence and Abuse in Society

• Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.

Year 3

In the final year of study, you will focus on detailed critical analysis and evaluation of salient social issues drawing upon conceptual knowledge and understanding developed over the previous two years of study. You will also undertake an independent research project related to a specific area of sociological interest through your dissertation thesis.

Compulsory module:

• Dissertation.

Examples of optional modules:

• Community Placement

• Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry

• Cyberculture and Cybercrime

• Inside Out: Issues in Criminal Justice

• Social Policy

• Sociology of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation

• Sociology of Work and Professions

• Feminist Anti-Violence Activism (short module)

• Justice, Violence and Abuse (short module)

• Youth in Crisis (short module)

• Sociology of Mental Health (short module)

• Sociology of Reproduction and Parenthood (short module)

• Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.

A level offer – AAB.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD.

IB Diploma score – 36 with 665 in higher level subjects.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• While not essential, applicants who have studied at least one strongly essay-based subject prior to entry will be better prepared for this course and preference may be given to such applicants over those who have not. A non-exhaustive list of example essay-based subjects includes: Business Studies, Criminology, English, Geography, History, Politics, Psychology, Religion/Philosophy and Sociology.

• We also welcome applications from those holding or studying for qualifications equivalent to those standard requirements, such as an Access to HE Diploma, Cambridge Pre-U Diplomas, etc. Common alternatives are outlined here but contact University Admissions for advice if you cannot find your qualifications listed.

• We do not include General Studies, Critical Thinking or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as part of an offer, although any of these (especially the EPQ) may strengthen the overall quality of an application.

• Offers one grade down from the standard A level offer may be made to applicants who show special merit and potential in their applications, while offers up to two grades down from the standard offer will be made in line with the University’s Guaranteed Contextual Offer

• If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.

• If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

The tuition fees shown for students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

Career Opportunities

Sociology and Criminology

Of those students who graduated in 2018:

• 86% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 79% are in a professional or managerial job

• Average salary of £24,338.