Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc)

BSocSc Sociology

Learn to critically analyse and interpret societies and gain skills for a variety of careers.
  • Duration: 3 or 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2026
  • UCAS course code: L300 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Industrial experience
  • Scholarships available

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Overview

Course overview

  • Join one of the UK's largest and most important groups of sociologists.
  • We're ranked 5th in the UK and in the world's Top 30 universities for Sociology (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
  • Develop the skills to analyse and interpret today's social developments and problems and carry out your own sociological investigations.
  • You can apply in Year 2 to study for a year abroad, apply for a paid internship through Manchester's Q-Step programme, or complete a professional placement.
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Study Sociology at The University of Manchester

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Please see open days for the dates, registration, and other information.

If you're a prospective student, you can also find out more about student life by chatting with our student ambassadors at a time that suits you, and ask any questions you may have about life at Manchester. 

Please check our Coronavirus FAQs for the most up to date information regarding events. 

You can also look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.

Contact details

School/Faculty
School of Social Sciences
Contact name
Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 306 0100
Email
Website
http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/
School/Faculty overview

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

A-level

ABB, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):

Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.

We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels from the list of acceptable subjects above

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

A-level contextual offer

BBC, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):

Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

Contextual offers are available for applicants who:

  • live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
  • live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
  • have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

UK refugee/care-experienced offer

BBC, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):

Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:

  • have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
  • have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

International Baccalaureate

34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

GCSE/IGCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School for clarification.

Other entry requirements

Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.

Country-specific entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries.For detailed information please refer to our country-specific requirements and requirements for foundation years .

For general requirementsnot listed abovesee accepted entry qualifications from your country .

Still need help? Email us at socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk .

English language requirements

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

  • GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C.
  • IELTS 6.5 overall with no lower than 6 in any component.
  • TOEFL (IBT) 90 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subset.
  • iGCSE English (Second Language) grade B
  • An acceptable equivalent qualification.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found  here .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Fees and funding

Fees

Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

Policy on additional costs

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/sponsorships

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.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

Advice to applicants

Applicants submitting mitigating circumstances

If you are submitting information about mitigating circumstances that have affected, or are likely to affect, your academic performance, you should include this in the referee's report.

We cannot take into account information that is supplied after an adverse decision has been made on an application.

(Examples of mitigating circumstances include family illness, problems with school facilities or an unusual curriculum followed by your school of college.)

Home-schooled applicants

If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying.

You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course.

We will also require a reference from somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education.

If you are a home schooled student and would like further information or advice please contact the academic School for your chosen course who will be able to help you.

Non-standard educational routes

Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences.

Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.

The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Further information for mature students can be found here .

How your application is considered

Applications are considered on the basis of an assessment of past and predicted academic achievements, the academic reference and personal statement.

Interview requirements

We do not interview.

Returning to education

We welcome applications from anyone who is returning to education.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

Applicants classed as international students who are studying Foundation Year Programmes, will be considered on the basis they have completed their High School education in full. Please see our list of approved UK foundation programmes and entry requirements  for more information. We also accept a number of qualifications from around the globe. For further information please see our country-specific information pages. If you still need help please email us  socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk .

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation. Deferred entry is granted on the discretion of admissions staff, and is normally granted for one year only.

NB Some English Language test results, such as IELTS of TOEFL, are only valid from two years from the test date.

Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications

We consider applicants who are resitting.

Contact: socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you can apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.

In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may refer back to previous applications or registrations at the University.

If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should include additional evidence of your suitability for the course.

If you are applying through clearing you will need to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing places will be subject to availability.

Course details

Course description

What I love about Sociology at Manchester are the range of options that were able to study. From the Sociology of Human Animal Relations to Sustainability, Consumption and Global Responsibilities.

There's always something new to learn and the chance to expand your sociological thinking. The lectures are engaging, and tutorials give a chance to explore ideas further and have exciting discussions. My degree has given me the chance to take research into my own hands and explore a topic that I'm passionate about.

Georgia Shaw / Sociology student
BSocSc Sociology is the study of social life and social change.

It adopts the perspective that individual behaviour can only be understood by studying people's social context and their webs of connection.

An investigative ‘myth-busting' discipline, we critically examine core assumptions about social life.

Research and teaching are often motivated by the desire to improve or challenge the conditions of life and society, and sociology provides a critical perspective on how and why we might change our social worlds.

Lecturers are engaged in research on a range of sociological topics. Specialisms include:

  • decolonial thought;
  • race and ethnicity;
  • migration;
  • social division and inequality;
  • social movements;
  • sustainability and environment;
  • social theory;
  • globalisation and social change;
  • cultural practices and consumption;
  • media and technology;
  • work and economy;
  • personal life (family, intimacies and sexualities);
  • survey methods and qualitative research;
  • cities and urban life; and
  • ageing and social gerontology.

Special features

Award-winning teaching

Sociology staff have won Faculty of Humanities Outstanding Teaching Awards, and have been nominated for various teaching awards including the Manchester Students' Union Awards.

Excellence in research feeds into teaching, so you are taught by experts with a real passion for their subject.

Professional Experience Year opportunity

You can apply in Year 1 to do a Professional Experience Year. If you meet the criteria, the Professional Experience Team and Careers Service will work with you to find a placement in your second year.

You will then complete your Professional Experience Year in third year extending your degree to four years. Your degree title will be extended to include 'with Professional Experience'.

Paid placement opportunities

You can apply for a paid Q-Step internship between Years 2 and 3. This is an excellent opportunity to gain work experience and make future contacts.

Study abroad  

You can apply to study overseas for a year at one of our partner universities.

You apply in Year 2 to spend a year abroad in Year 3.

If successful, you will put together a programme of study at the host university in consultation with your Academic Exchange Advisor, to complement your studies at Manchester.

You will then come back to Manchester to study for a fourth year and graduate with a degree title including ‘with International Study'.

See The University of Manchester Study Abroad pages.

Teaching and learning

Course units feature formal lectures supported by smaller tutorials or seminars where you explore the contents of lectures and recommended reading in greater depth.

Tutorials and seminars are also key elements in improving your written and oral communication skills through group discussions, essay-writing, and presentations.

You are assigned an Academic Advisor who can advise you on selecting course units and career opportunities.

Coursework and assessment

The range of methods is designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding, including:

  • essays, coursework, and other mid-term evaluations;
  • dissertations;
  • presentations and group projects;
  • exams.

Course unit details

Each year of study consists of 120 course credits.

Each course unit is worth between 10 and 40 credits.

Course content for year 1

Year 1 introduces you to sociological theory and methods of enquiry.

The aim is to offer something new to those who have completed A Level Sociology, as well as providing a basic foundation to those who have not.

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
SOCY10421 20 Mandatory
SOCY10432 20 Mandatory
SOCY10441 20 Mandatory
CRIM10002 20 Optional
SOCY10202 20 Optional
SOCY10401 20 Optional
SOCY10442 20 Optional
SOCY10461 20 Optional
SOCY10471 20 Optional
SOCY10912 20 Optional
SOST10012 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 11 course units for year 1

Course content for year 2

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
SOCY20091 20 Mandatory
SOST20012 20 Mandatory
CRIM20412 20 Optional
SOCY20031 20 Optional
SOCY20042 20 Optional
SOCY20052 20 Optional
SOCY20231 20 Optional
SOCY20271 20 Optional
SOCY20281 20 Optional
SOCY20302 20 Optional
SOCY20411 20 Optional
SOCY20602 20 Optional
SOCY20702 20 Optional
SOCY20891 20 Optional
SOCY20962 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 15 course units for year 2

Course content for year 3

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
CRIM30601 20 Optional
SOCY30041 20 Optional
SOCY30061 20 Optional
SOCY30102 20 Optional
SOCY30171 20 Optional
SOCY30191 20 Optional
SOCY30241 20 Optional
SOCY30261 20 Optional
SOCY30292 20 Optional
SOCY30352 20 Optional
SOCY30461 20 Optional
SOCY30502 20 Optional
SOCY30521 20 Optional
SOCY30731 20 Optional
SOCY30920 20 Optional
SOCY30930 40 Optional
SOST30012 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 17 course units for year 3

Course content for year 4

If you complete a professional placement or study abroad in Year 3, you will take the Year 3 course content in Year 4.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Our graduates are highly sought after and can use their skills and knowledge in a wide range of different areas.

The Sociology course includes our Sociology Futures course, running across all three years of the degree.

Sociology Futures involves lectures, workshops, panels and other activities, all designed to help with your studies and equip you for the world of work. Academic and careers skills courses include:

  • training in critical reading and writing;
  • essay and exam techniques;
  • presentation skills;
  • preparing dissertations;
  • regular events on jobs, careers and employability;
  • volunteering and internship opportunities;
  • meeting Sociology alumni, graduate employers, Careers Service advisers and other experts at the University.

Recent graduates are now working at:

  • the Ministry of Justice;
  • the NHS;
  • the British Council;
  • Fujitsu;
  • United Nations Refugee Agency;
  • AMNET Media;
  • Unilever.

You will have to access our Careers Service as a student and for two years after you graduate, helping you:

  • find summer internships or work experience;
  • apply for jobs and provide practice interviews;
  • access online and interactive services such as practice psychometric tests.

At Manchester you will also have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .

For more information, see careers and employability .

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.