About Sociology, BSc (Hons) - at University of Portsmouth

Overview

Understand how and why society is changing on this BSc (Hons) Sociology degree course. 

Step into critical debates on social issues and global inequalities, including topics such as education, work, media and generation. Sociology is more relevant than ever in today’s world; our courses provide a toolkit to make sense of what’s going on in the world, why it’s happening, and what we can collectively do about it.

On this BSc (Hons) Sociology degree, you’ll learn how to apply sociological ideas to the world we live in and the topics that most inspire you. You'll be taught and supported by a dynamic, caring and inclusive team of experienced educators and active researchers who are dedicated to helping you achieve your personal, professional and academic potential.

As you work towards your choice of final research project, you'll explore a wide range of cutting-edge topics relevant to the world we live in such as consumerism, migration, nationalism and climate crisis.

You'll graduate with transferable skills sought after by employers across many sectors, including communication, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, evaluation and analysis, decision-making and organisation. You will gain the confidence, knowledge and methods to enact positive change within a broad range of exciting careers. Benefit from opportunities for enrichment, careers and employability guidance throughout, strong links with organisations, guest speakers, placements and studying abroad.

Course highlights

• Tailor your studies to topics that matter most to you – from gender, sexuality, race, and social class, to happiness, the body, and social power and dissent - and be taught by experts in those fields
• Discover ways to apply classical sociological theories, such as developing policies and actions to produce social change and solutions to issues affecting the world right now
• Learn from leading sociologists about their impactful research on key social issues, such as the Researching Migrant Homelessness project
• Hear from industry specialists on topics such as racism, asylum and gender-based violence – recent guest speakers have come from Friends Without Borders and Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Services (PARCS)
• Build skills that support you to carry out your own research and analysis of issues you're passionate about – previous student dissertations were on the Black Lives Matter movement, online dating, musical taste and K-Pop, happiness and social media, becoming vegan and racism in sport
• Follow an optional media studies pathway, where you could explore topics such as digital cultures and media fandom
• Have the opportunity to do a work placement year after your second or third year on this Connected Degree - we're the only UK university to offer flexible sandwich placements for undergraduates
• Choose to learn a foreign language for free as part of your degree, from a selection of Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish.
• Opt to do a foundation year with ICP to get uni-ready ahead of this course, then take up a guaranteed place on this full Bachelor's degree when you successfully finish your foundation year

Careers and opportunities

Studying sociology encourages you to engage critically with the world around you, ask questions about the social world and challenge things we often take for granted. 

You'll develop the ability to be analytical, consider different perspectives and communicate your ideas effectively. These are transferable skills that are valuable to any employer, which means you'll have lots of career options when you graduate.

You could also continue your studies to a PhD or other postgraduate qualification, following in the footsteps of your lecturers.

What sectors can you work in with a sociology degree?

Many of our sociology graduates go into people-focused roles, or in roles that allow them to do research, shape social policies or bring about social change.

Areas you could go into include:

• teaching and lecturing (with additional training or further study)
• research and policy
• health and social care
• advertising, marketing and media
• local government
• careers advice, human resources and recruitment
• charity work and community development

What jobs can you do with a sociology degree?

Roles our graduates have gone on to include:

• refugee resettlement welfare officer
• domestic violence project worker
• criminal justice support worker
• fundraising and project manager
• equality and diversity inclusion coordinator
• hr adviser
• housing strategy and policy officer
• social worker
• trade union project officer
• teacher
• peer support and young person's service manager
• business development manager
• global events manager
• senior research executive
• marketing manager
• data consultant
• fraud analyst

Graduate destinations

Our graduates have worked for companies such as:

• Washington Frank International
• Kantar (data analytics and brand consulting)
• Enham Trust (disability charity)
• The Prince's Trust
• NHS Foundation Trust
• Youth Futures Foundation
• Solent Mind
• Chance UK 
• Strictly Come Dancing (production)
• YouGov
• Bank of England

Placement year opportunities and work experience

Taking an optional placement year after your second or third year of study will give you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role. You'll get valuable work experience and the chance to grow your professional network and enhance your CV.

We'll work with you to identify placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and allow you to use the skills you've learnt. Our students also regularly work on research projects for the local community.

You could also choose to set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.

Potential destinations

Previous students have taken placement roles at organisations including:

• Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service (PARCS)
• Why Me? Restorative Justice
• Volkswagen
• SEK International School, Spain

Study abroad

You'll also have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities. Studying overseas is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your CV and experience a different culture as an international student.

Many of our students describe their time spent studying abroad as truly life-changing, as well as an excellent way to stand out to future employers

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact University of Portsmouth to find course entry requirements.

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