BA Hons Sociology and Social Policy

at University of Stirling

In Semesters 1-3, you’ll take core modules in:
 

• Social Differentiation - explores gender, age, ethnicity, class and disability in relation to the ways in which individuals and groups are valued and treated in different societies.

• Social Problems - contemporary social issues and policy responses.

• Understanding Social Policy - historical and theoretical perspectives on welfare; comparative social policy analysis.

• The Development of Social Theory – exploring the key theorists and ideas of the disciplines.
   

You’ll also choose two other subjects per semester.
 

In Semesters 5-8, you must take core advanced modules:
 

• The Development of Social Theory
   

The Research Process is split into two intensive core modules, we give you the opportunity to develop practical research skills through qualitative and quantitative research and an introduction to the methods of social research and analysis.
 

Additionally, you’ll choose seven optional modules, which could include: Home, Housing and Community; Ageing, Social Policy and Society; Sociology of Childhood; Cooperation and Participation; Alcohol and Society; and Race, Ethnicity and Migration
 

Year 1, Semester 1

Compulsory module

Select 20 credits from SPCU911 or SPCU9X1 list
 

• Social Differentiation (SPCU911)    20 credits

• Social Differentiation (SPCU9X1)    20 credits

• SPCU911 and SPCU9X1 cover the same content but are timetabled at different times.
   

Year 1, Semester 2

Compulsory module

Select 20 credits from SPCU912 or SPCU9X2 list
 

• Social Problems (SPCU912)    20 credits

• Social Problems (SPCU9X2)    20 credits

• SPCU912 and SPCU9X2 cover the same content but are timetabled at different times
   

Year 2, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Understanding Social Policy (SPCU913)    20 credits
   

Year 2, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• The Development of Social Theory (SPCU9C4)    20 credits
   

Year 3, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Research Process I (SPCU9CR)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 SPCU9C5 was taken
   

Year 3, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Research Process II (SPCU9C6)    20 credits

Year 4, Semester 1

Dissertation

• Dissertation in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology (SPCU9CZ)    60 credits

• continues in spring
   

Year 4, Semester 2

Option module

Select 20 to 40 credits from Year 4 Sociology and Social Policy list
 

• Policing and Society: Criminological Perspectives on Policing Issues and Practices (CRMU9TW)    20 credits

• Sociology of Sport, Mindsport and Leisure (SOCU9SL)    20 credits

• Ageing, Society and Social Policy (SPCU9JK)    20 credits

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
 

SQA Highers

• AABB - by the end of S5

• AABBB - by the end of S6
   

GCE A-levels

• BBB
   

IB Diploma

• 30 points
   

BTEC (Level 3)

• DDM
   

Widening access students

• Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

• Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
   

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
 

SQA Advanced Highers

• ABB – one sitting
   

GCE A-levels

• ABB
   

IB Diploma

• 35 points
   

Essential subjects

• To include Sociology 
   

  Direct Entry to 1st Year:
   

  Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:
   

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
   

  Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
   

  Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:
   

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
  
  Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within the last 5 years of our course start date:
   

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
  
  English language requirements
  
  If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
   

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill

• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills

• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills

• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills

• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator -  Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Academic year:	2022/23	2023/24
Overseas students (non-EU)	£15,900	£16,400

Overseas students (non-EU)
 

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Our Sociology and Social Policy graduates work in the private, public and voluntary sectors. There are some careers where a Sociology or Social Policy degree is required, such as a sociological researcher or teacher of sociology. However, there are many other professions where the knowledge and understanding you’ll develop on this course is highly valued, including:
 

• civil servant and government employment

• working within the police or prison service

• social work and housing officers

• voluntary sector employment

• human resources

• intelligence analyst roles