Sociology BA Honours

Course summary

Choose Sociology at the University of Westminster and you'll never think about society in the same way again. Studying with us means engaging with a dynamic 21st-century subject and exploring current social issues and debates, using the latest research methods.

Investigating the nature of societal structures and their impact on people's everyday lives and interactions is central to the course. You'll consider questions of how power is exercised and normalised at all levels of society, from the state to individual emotions, through explorations of social class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and other factors. You'll gain a sensitive understanding of diversity as well as a keen self-awareness and ability to make sense of your own social location in terms of identities, cultures, beliefs and values.

You'll be taught by active researchers, whose innovative books and articles are helping to set the global sociological agenda. The course makes full use of the amazing resources our central London location provides, from the museums on our doorstep to street-art field trips and the diverse cultures and subcultures that will inform and inspire your own research.

Drawing on cutting-edge research, this is a course that will put you at the forefront of contemporary sociological thinking and practice. Our students graduate with the knowledge and expertise that gives them a competitive advantage in a range of people-centred careers, including the charitable and NGO sector, education, government, journalism and media, management, social work, and academic research.

Top reasons to study with us

• Consistently high levels of student satisfaction – our award-winning teaching team provide fantastic levels of student support, evidenced by our 100% student satisfaction rate
• Inspiring learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom – our central London location provides unique opportunities to explore contemporary social and cultural life, including creative classroom activities, film screenings, external speakers, street-based explorations and visits to museums and galleries
• An inclusive and diverse curriculum engaged with issues of social justice – students of diverse faith backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and genders come to work together to challenge inequality and explore some of the most important social and cultural questions in the world today
• In year two, our work-based learning module offers you the opportunity to gain work experience through placement opportunities such as our Metropolitan Police scheme, the Explore Teaching Scheme and other work placements.  

Course structure

You can choose from a wide number of specialist option modules with a range of assessment formats to suit different learning styles, from essays and exams to portfolios, research reports, projects and reviews. Our supportive and dedicated teaching team will train you in critical analysis, thinking and debate, and enable you to develop strong presentational, interpersonal and communication skills.

Your first year provides an accessible introduction to contemporary sociological debates, and you'll receive specialist training in researching London as a global city, and in the key study skills you need to excel in the subject, along with optional modules in race and gender. In Years 2 and 3 you'll explore modern and contemporary social theory, youth culture, extend your research skills and, in your final year, work closely with a member of the Sociology team to conduct an independent project in an area of your own choosing.

You can select from a range of options, which include modules on education, families, gender and the body, the media, urban sociology, taste and consumption, social movements and race and representation.

Our Work Experience module in the second year gives you the opportunity to put into practice the personal and professional skills you will develop while studying.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Placement Year
• Year 3