BASS Sociology and Criminology

The Sociology Dissertation (40 credits) provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent social research project. The topic of research is chosen by the student in consultation with their supervisor, and can involve the use of existing datasets, existing literature, or where appropriate, the collection of original data. The dissertation will develop expertise in an area of sociology that is of personal interest, while applying and developing the research skills gained so far in the degree. It also offers a valuable opportunity to demonstrate and refine transferable skills of critical analysis, writing, and project management. 

The dissertation module is only open to BSocSociology students and students on any joint programme or pathway that involves sociology (although each joint programme has its own pre-requisites or regulations about credit options etc).  

In order to pursue a dissertation project involving primary qualitative data, such as observations or interviews, you must have completed a relevant qualitative research methods module in year 2 of your programme. To pursue a project involving quantitative data, you must have completed a relevant quantitative methods or statistical methods module in year 2 of your programme. Students who have not completed relevant research methods modules in year 2 may still choose the dissertation module, but they will be limited to a theoretical or library-based dissertation.  

The aims of the 40-credit dissertation are to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to undertake a piece of independent research; allow students to choose a topic of study of particular interest and to engage in an in-depth examination of the topic making use of advanced bibliographic skills, existing quantitative or qualitative datasets, or, where appropriate, to engage in original data collection and analysis; encourage students to explore the contribution the discipline makes to an understanding of social life and social order; enable students to develop their sociological skills under the guidance of the unit-coordinators and a supervisor, in particular, their skills in the selection of a researchable topic, the development of a research proposal, the conduct of research, the analysis of results, and the process of structuring, writing and formatting a 8,000-9,000 word dissertation thesis; allow students to gain expertise in the area of sociology that forms the topic of their dissertation.

The dissertation runs throughout the year and is taught by a combination of lectures, group and individual supervision. 

All sociology courses include both formative feedback - which lets you know how you're getting on and what you could do to improve - and summative feedback - which gives you a mark for your assessed work.

Alan Bryman (2001) Social Research Methods, Oxford 

Jennifer Mason (1996) Qualitative Researching, Sage  

Andrew Balmer and Ann Murcott (2017) The Craft of Writing Sociology  

http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781784992705/  

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £29,200 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary , are available to eligible home/EU students.

Some undergraduate UK students will receive bursaries of up to £2,000 per year, in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.

You can get information and advice on student finance to help you manage your money.