Sociology

Sociology is the scientific study of human society, examining how social structures, institutions and cultural forces shape the lives of individuals and the dynamics of communities. It asks why inequality persists across generations, how identities of race, class and gender are formed and contested, how social norms are established and challenged, and how major social institutions from the family and the school to the state and the market organise collective life. The discipline combines theoretical rigour with empirical research, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate social questions in a world that is changing rapidly.

At Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh this programme runs over four years full time, reflecting the Scottish undergraduate degree structure. You will engage with the major theoretical traditions in sociology, from classical figures including Marx, Durkheim and Weber through to contemporary scholars addressing globalisation, digital society, environmental sociology and the sociology of health. You will study a range of social issues and institutions, developing the ability to apply sociological frameworks to both historical and contemporary questions and to evaluate evidence from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

You will develop skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, theoretical analysis, critical reading, academic writing and the clear communication of complex social arguments. The capacity to think rigorously about social phenomena, to identify structural explanations for social patterns and to engage with evidence carefully is a transferable intellectual skill valued across many professional sectors.

Graduates from sociology programmes pursue careers in social work, public policy, health and social care, education, community development, journalism, human resources, the charity sector and research. Postgraduate study in sociology, social policy, criminology or professional qualifications in social work is a common route for those wanting to develop specialist expertise or move into research-oriented careers.