BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy
Choose our Sociology and Social Policy degree and you will gain expertise in theorising about and undertaking research on a range of social issues and social policies.
Key facts
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2023, January 2024, September 2024, January 2025
- Duration 48 months or 36 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code L431
- Study abroad opportunities
Overview
Our Sociology and Social Policy course will let you understand the way society works and the processes and outcomes of social welfare. You will explore social differentiation and contemporary social issues, as well as looking at historical and theoretical perspectives on welfare. You will also be introduced to the development of social theory and get lots of practical experience in methods of social research and analysis.
With our international and comparative approach, you’ll study topics that analyse society and welfare issues in a range of countries. We have particular expertise on Scotland, the UK, the European Union, Western and Central Europe, Australasia, North America and Latin America.
Top reasons to study with us
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB - by the end of S5
AABBB - by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB – one sitting
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
35 points
Essential subjects
To include Sociology
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
In Semesters 1-4, you’ll take core modules in:
- Applying a Sociological Lens - showing the power of thinking sociologically about the social order and a range of contemporary social issues.
- Applying a Social Policy Lens - introduces students to an understanding of social policy as a subject of study with a focus on contemporary Britain.
- Understanding Social Policy - historical and theoretical perspectives on welfare; comparative social policy analysis.
- The Development of Social Theory – a range of theoretical perspectives and key theorists.
You’ll also choose two other subjects per semester.
In Semesters 5-8, you must take core advanced modules:
- The Development of Social Theory
The Research Process is split into two intensive core modules, we give you the opportunity to develop practical research skills through qualitative and quantitative research and an introduction to the methods of social research and analysis.
Additionally, you'll choose seven optional modules, which could include: Home, Housing and Community; Ageing, Social Policy and Society; Sociology of Childhood; Work and Society; Social Policy on the Ground; Cooperation and Participation; Alcohol and Society; and Race, Ethnicity and Migration.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2023). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
You’ll be taught through lectures, workshops and small discussion groups. These may be a mix of campus based and online.
Year 1 modules aim to bridge the gap between school and university study through coursework assessments. You’ll also receive tuition in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, which is invaluable for your Year 4 dissertation.
Assessment
Assessment for each module is usually based on a combination of coursework and examinations, for example, one essay (30 percent) and an examination (70 percent). The final-year dissertation counts for three modules. Your dissertation gives you the opportunity to put research methods you’ve studied into practice, and focus on a particular interest.
Classroom hours
Typically, each module in Sociology and/or Social Policy consists of two lectures plus one workshop per week.
Contact
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| International students (including EU) | £16,400 | £17,200 |
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
Students domiciled overseas
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
What can you do with a Sociology and Social Policy degree?
Our Sociology and Social Policy graduates work in the private, public and voluntary sectors. There are some careers where a Sociology or Social Policy degree is required, such as a sociological researcher or teacher of sociology. However, there are many other professions where the knowledge and understanding you’ll develop on this course is highly valued, including:
- civil servant and government employment
- working within the police or prison service
- social work and housing officers
- voluntary sector employment
- human resources
- intelligence analyst roles
Many students value their learning experience with us and go on to take a masters or PhD at postgraduate level, with a view to becoming a researcher or academic.
Employability skills
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to give you an advantage when you enter the job market. Your Sociology and Social Policy degree will equip you with transferable skills that are highly valued by employers, such as:
- critical evaluation
- research methods – quantitative and qualitative
- independent learning
- teamwork
Discover Uni
Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.
What our students said
Northern Ireland
BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy
Read Lesley's storyMy degree gave me a broad skill set by combining sociological theory with research skills, which I found particularly useful when drafting cases for support in my fundraising work.
Flexible study
Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.
| Course name | UCAS code |
|---|---|
| Film and Media | UCAS code for this combination: LP33 |
| History | UCAS code for this combination: LV31 |
| History and Education (Secondary) | UCAS code for this combination: VXD1 |
| Politics | UCAS code for this combination: LL24 |
| Politics | UCAS code for this combination: LL23 |
| Psychology | UCAS code for this combination: CL83 |
| Religion | UCAS code for this combination: LV36 |
| Spanish and Latin American Studies | UCAS code for this combination: LR34 |
For a combined honours degree where the two subjects have different entry requirements, you will usually be asked to meet the higher entry requirement.
Find out more about degree flexibility and how you can take combined courses.