In broad terms, Sociology seeks to understand the relationship between individual people and the wider cultural and institutional contexts within which they live. Eminent Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu defines it better, however, as “a science that makes trouble”. In other words, Sociology is not just about making sense of social and cultural systems but about transformative social change, drawing upon rigorous and systematic study of salient social issues to challenge inequalities and to inform the development of effective, evidence-based policy and practice.
The degree is wide-ranging, with a focus on applying knowledge and theory to real-life situations. Studying Sociology at Durham is about sharing a common enthusiasm for exploring how human beings behave, think and feel within social settings and about using that knowledge to produce meaningful positive change in the world.
The degree is based on a modular structure, you will be required to take the equivalent of six modules (some of which may be ‘double modules’) within each year of study. Over the course of the degree, modules become increasingly focused on specialist topics and issues, with the chance to undertake a sociological research project on a specific topic of substantive interest in the final year of study.
**Year 1**
You will develop knowledge and understanding of foundational concepts and issues in Sociology and sociological research, as a platform for study in Years 2 and 3.
**Compulsory modules:**
Classical Sociological Theory
Critical Scholarship in the Social Sciences
Social Research Methods
Societies in Transition.
**Optional module:**
Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere in the Department or by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.
**Year 2**
You will develop your understanding of key issues in sociological theory and research, building on work completed during the first year of study. You will also begin to study in detail various topics of substantive sociological relevance that relate to the Department’s major research themes.
Compulsory modules: Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory / Research Methods in Action.
Optional modules: Communities and Social Justice / Contemporary Criminological Theory / Identity and Transgression / Police and Policing / Sociological Approaches to Violence and Abuse / Sociology of Education
Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere in the Department or by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.
**Year 3**
In the final year of study, you will focus on detailed critical analysis and evaluation of salient social issues drawing upon conceptual knowledge and understanding developed over the previous two years of study. You will also undertake an independent research project related to a specific area of sociological interest through your dissertation thesis.
Compulsory module: Dissertation.
Optional modules: Community Placement / Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry / Cyberculture and Cybercrime / Drugs, Crime and Society / Social Policy / Sociology of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation / Sociology of Health and Medicine / Sociology of Work and Professions / Rural Studies and Social Policy / Young People, Crime and Justice
**Study Abroad**
We are part of the ERASMUS programme which encourages students to study for part of their course in a university of another EU country.
We currently have links with the universities of Helsinki in Finland and Duisburg-Essen in Germany. Students can also apply to the university-wide international exchange programme with universities in North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
For more information on this course, please see our website.
Course Details - Modules
Year 1
You will develop knowledge and understanding of foundational concepts and issues in sociology and sociological research, as a platform for study in Years 2 and 3.
Compulsory modules:
Classical Sociological Theory
Critical Scholarship in the Social Sciences
Social Research Methods
Societies in Transition.
Optional module:
Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere in the Department (e.g. Introduction to Criminological Theory) or by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.
Year 2
You will develop your understanding of key issues in sociological theory and research, building on work completed during the first year of study. You will also begin to study in detail various topics of substantive sociological relevance that relate to the Department’s major research themes.
Compulsory modules:
Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory
Research Methods in Action.
Optional modules:
Communities and Social Justice
Contemporary Criminological Theory
Police and Policing
Self, Identity and Society
Sociological Approaches to Violence and Abuse
Sociology of Education and Social Inequalities
Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.
Year 3
In the final year of study, you will focus on detailed critical analysis and evaluation of salient social issues drawing upon conceptual knowledge and understanding developed over the previous two years of study. You will also undertake an independent research project related to a specific area of sociological interest through your dissertation thesis.
Compulsory module:
Dissertation.
Optional modules:
Community Placement
Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry
Cyberculture and Cybercrime
Inside Out: Issues in Criminal Justice
Social Policy
Sociology of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation
Sociology of Health and Medicine
Sociology of Work and Professions
Young People, Crime and Justice
Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.
Please note that the list of optional modules available in any year will vary depending on available teaching staff. The lists above provide an example of the type of modules which may be offered
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
L300
Institution code:
D86
Campus Name:
College of St Hild and St Bede
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Specific subjects excluded for entry:
Critical Thinking and General Studies.
Information:
Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.
We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham.
General information on subjects/grades required for entry:
Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) from Higher Level subjects required.
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBC (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/contextualoffers/.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
87%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
75%
Go onto work and study:
91%
Fees and funding
Republic of Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
Channel Islands
9250.0
Year 1
EU
22500.0
Year 1
England
9250.0
Year 1
Northern Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
Scotland
9250.0
Year 1
Wales
9250.0
Year 1
International
22500.0
Year 1
Additional Fee Information
Additional Fee Information are not listed for this Course.
Provider information
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Durham
DH1 3LE
Career tips, advice and guides straight to your inbox.