BSocSc Sociology / Course details

Understand the social contexts and interconnected forces that shape our lives and communities. On our BSocSc Sociology course you will explore how societies function, change, and influence human behaviour. Through an investigative ‘myth-busting’ discipline you will develop the critical insight to question core assumptions and make sense of the complex social world around you.

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

Learn from lecturers who are engaged in current research on critical topics such as:

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

Our wide range of research areas allows you to refine your own critical perspective and interests, shaping your final independent social research project.

Join a leading department

At The University of Manchester, we don't just teaching Sociology, we’re leading the field. Our department is ranked third in the country after Oxford and Cambridge, with 59% of our research activity ranked at the highest level of 4* (REF, 2021). Our excellence in research feeds into our teaching, ensuring you’re learning from experts with a real passion for their subject.

Learn from award-winning teaching staff

Our Sociology staff have won Faculty of Humanities Outstanding Teaching Awards and have been nominated for various teaching awards including the Manchester Students’ Union Awards. Our commitment to excellence ensures that you’re not just learning, you’re learning from the best.

Step ahead with our Q-Step Initiative

We’re proud to be a part of the Q-Step initiative, a strategic response to the shortage of quantitatively skilled social science graduates. As a student, you can apply for a paid Q-Step internship between Years 2 and 3, providing you with an excellent opportunity to gain work experience and make future contacts.

Pursue what interests you with our flexible course structure

Our Sociology course offers a range of optional units, allowing you to tailor your course to your interests. 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.

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

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.

"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/ BSocSc Sociology Student

“I really enjoyed how the course combined theory with real-world issues - it gave me the tools to understand society more deeply while also connecting ideas to things I see every day.

The lecturers were supportive, and I liked that discussions in class encouraged us to share different perspectives.”

Musen Lin/ BSocSc Sociology Student