Sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of human society: how social structures are formed and sustained, how power and inequality are distributed, how culture shapes behaviour, and how societies change over time. It asks why patterns of advantage and disadvantage persist across generations, how institutions from the family to the state reproduce themselves, and what the forces are that drive social transformation. Sociology is a discipline that demands both theoretical rigour and empirical engagement, combining conceptual frameworks developed by thinkers from Durkheim and Weber to Bourdieu and Foucault with careful analysis of data from interviews, surveys, documents and observation.

At Aston, which has a distinctively applied and professionally oriented approach to social science, this three-year programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and work placement opportunities. You will study the theoretical traditions of sociology, including functionalism, conflict theory, interactionism and critical perspectives, alongside substantive areas such as race and ethnicity, gender, class, organisations, media, health, crime, and globalisation. The sandwich year and placement experience give you the chance to apply sociological thinking in a professional context, whether in research, public sector work, communications, health services or the third sector.

The year abroad broadens your comparative and international perspective. The typical entry tariff is 104 UCAS points.

Sociology graduates work in social research, public policy, social work, human resources, communications, journalism, charity and third-sector management, health services, education, and criminal justice. The skills of evidence evaluation, critical analysis and written argument that sociology develops are highly valued across these sectors. Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in sociology, social research methods, social policy or related disciplines, some progressing to doctoral research and academic careers.