Northumbria University Newcastle - Sociology BSc (Hons)

Northumbria University Newcastle

Sociology BSc (Hons)

Are you looking to develop a global understanding of society, social dynamics and modern life; expertise in research and analysis; and strong decision-making skills? You will need an enquiring mind and a desire to get out into the community to see the ‘real issues’ and get involved in bringing about change.

You will graduate prepared for employment in a number of fields that require a sophisticated, critical and questioning understanding of the workings of society, including central government, the police, the prison system, community safety and education. 

Our Department of Social Sciences is a community that equips you to make a positive social change, become a critical thinker, a problem solver, and to challenge what you think, see and hear.

Entry Requirements

Standard Entry

120 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

Career Prospects

Through this course you will develop a range of skills and attributes which will help you develop into an active agent of social change. You will develop a sociological imagination which allows you to critically link individual actions to social structures. You will critically evaluate evidence and theory in order to challenge your own ideas, justify your arguments and evaluate those of others. 

You will apply appropriate theory and research methods to complex real world problems.  You will be trained in a range of forms of effective communication formats which address diverse audiences. Consequently you will graduate prepared for employment in a number of fields that require a sophisticated, critical and questioning understanding of the workings of society. Our graduates go on to work in the public and not-for-profit sectors including central government, the police, the prison system, community safety and education.

Course Details

The programme gives you the skills to explore the many ways that people live in contemporary societies probing the nature of power, identities, cultures and change that characterise our lives.

You will explore the theories, research and debates in the discipline giving you the tools and creativity to investigate the pressing issues of our time – belonging, inequality, mobilities solidarity, climate change and how class, sexualities, ‘race’ and gender are woven into everyday life. You will be trained to think clearly and critically about the social world – skills highly valued by employers.

There are a wide range of option modules to choose from that reflect the diverse research interests of the sociology team such as the environment, employment, education and youth, families, consumption, international development, media, activism and happiness/wellbeing. We provide a range of assessment feedback, support groups and one-to-one sessions with your tutor to help support your progress through the course.

Year 1

Real World Research 1 (Core,20 Credits)
Global transformations (Core,20 Credits)
Thinking Sociologically 1 (Core,20 Credits)
Thinking Sociologically 2 (Core,20 Credits)
Social Problems: Myths and Realities (Core,20 Credits)
Biography, Sociology and Everyday Life (Core,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Year 2

Social Sciences Study Abroad (60 credit) (Optional,60 Credits)
Sociology and Social Inequalities (Core,20 Credits)
Contemporary Social Theory (Core,20 Credits)
Sex and Gender in Society (Optional,20 Credits)
Real World Research 2 (Core,20 Credits)
Growing Up: Youth and Education (Optional,20 Credits)
Families and Households: Value, Place and Culture (Optional,20 Credits)
Activism and Advocacy (Optional,20 Credits)
Live Project: Sociology in Action (Core,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Year 3

Social Sciences Work Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)
Social Sciences Study Abroad Year (Optional,120 Credits)
Year in International Business (This is made up of modules studied in Newcastle (Semester 1) & Amsterdam (Semester 2) (Optional,120 Credits)
Year in International Multidisciplinary Innovation (4 modules studied in Amsterdam (Semester 1) & Newcastle (Semester 2) (Optional,120 Credits)

Year 4

Work Experience Dissertation (Optional,40 Credits)
Social Sciences Dissertation (Optional,40 Credits)
Radical Ideas in Sociology (Core,20 Credits)
Workers and 'Chavs': The British Working Class (Optional,20 Credits)
Making Sense of Happiness and Wellbeing (Optional,20 Credits)
Modern crises: surviving pandemics, climate change and food insecurity in an era of inequality (Optional,20 Credits)
Gender, Violence and Abuse (Optional,20 Credits)
Bodies in Social Worlds (Optional,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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