BSocSc Sociology

Critical Theory / Theories of Social Action / Feminist Theories/ Postmodern Thought/ Decolonial Thought

In this course, you will learn how social theory developed throughout the 20th and 21st centuries amidst rapid social change, political instability and technological advancement. You will learn to critically engage with a spectrum of ideas and different perspectives that will underpin your sociological understanding. Each week we will take an important theory, theorist or body of thought and consider its relationship to key debates in contemporary social thought and its application and implication in the here and now. We will critically engage with the core principles of sociological investigation, constructing a solid theoretical scaffold to support your future study.

Students who have completed the course should be able to write competently about a number of key theorists and issues in contemporary social theory. They should possess an understanding of how theories discussed in sociological thought have been extended, critiqued, and developed. Students should have a solid grasp of some of the key debates that structure contemporary social thought. They should be adequately prepared for engaging with the substantive theoretical content of any sociology courses they pursue later in their degree.

Weekly lectures Weekly tutorials

Understanding of social thought from the 20th and 21st centuries

Ability to apply social thought to contemporary sociological problems

To make arguments using concepts and sociological evidence

100% Exam - 2h

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.

Allan, K. (2012). Contemporary Social and Sociological Theory. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.

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).

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

Learn more about student finance options for UK students.

Learn more about fees and finance for international students.

As an international student you may be eligible for our Global Futures Scholarships . This is open to students starting their studies in September 2026.