Sociology and Philosophy

Sociology and Philosophy is a combination that brings together the systematic study of how societies work and the rigorous examination of the most fundamental questions human beings can ask. Sociology examines social structures, inequality, cultural change, institutions and the forces that shape collective life, using empirical research methods to build knowledge about the social world. Philosophy develops your capacity for conceptual analysis and logical argument, asking foundational questions about knowledge, ethics, justice, identity and the nature of social reality.

Together they produce a graduate profile with exceptional analytical range, capable of moving between empirical social analysis and abstract philosophical reasoning.

At Royal Holloway this three-year full-time degree is taught by internationally renowned experts in both sociology and philosophy, drawing on strong research traditions in both departments. You will develop your understanding of social phenomena alongside your philosophical reasoning skills, exploring how the two disciplines illuminate each other across questions such as the nature of social facts, the philosophy of inequality, ethics of social policy and the epistemology of social science. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you substantial professional and international experience during your studies.

Graduates from Sociology and Philosophy degrees go on to careers in policy research, public service, education, journalism, the voluntary sector, human rights work, law and a range of organisations where both sociological understanding and rigorous analytical thinking are valued. The combination is also particularly well suited to postgraduate study in political philosophy, social theory, ethics, sociology or applied philosophy. The analytical and writing skills the degree develops are valued across almost every professional context that involves complex argument and the analysis of social information.