COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA Sociology with a Year Abroad degree offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the social world, structured across four years. In the first year, students are introduced to core sociological concepts, theories, and methods through five compulsory modules. These modules lay the groundwork for understanding how society shapes individuals and how sociological knowledge is produced. Key themes include family life, childhood, inequality, crime, justice, and the role of digital media in everyday life. Students are also introduced to four central pathways—Criminology, Sociology of Children and Families, Sociology of Social Change, and Digital Sociology—which they can explore further in later years. In the second year, students build on this foundation through advanced training in qualitative and participatory research methods, applying approaches such as grounded theory, discourse analysis, and creative methods to real sociological questions. Optional modules allow students to begin tailoring their studies to their own interests and career aspirations. The third year is spent abroad at a partner university, offering students the opportunity to broaden their sociological perspectives in a different cultural and academic context. In the final year, students return to complete a dissertation, allowing them to explore a topic of personal or academic interest in depth. Alongside the dissertation, students choose from a range of specialised modules linked to their chosen pathway. This degree not only equips students with theoretical knowledge and practical research skills, but also fosters critical thinking, cultural awareness, and an understanding of complex social issues, all of which are essential for careers in social research, policy, education, justice, and related fields.