Sociology BSc
London, Bloomsbury
This is the programme information for 2025 entry
If you require details of this year's programme, Sociology BSc (2026), click here
The BSc Sociology blends local and global sociological perspectives to examine contemporary social issues and transformations, ranging from environmental risks and climate change, to the intensification of inequalities, and imaginings of the future. Students will graduate with the skills and mindset appropriate to tackling the challenges of 21st century society. You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for one academic year.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Programme starts
September 2025Application deadline
29 Jan 2025UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAA
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- ABB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
- Points
- 38
- Subjects
- A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 34 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 33 credits at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects.
AAA at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and AAA at Higher).
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 3
-
Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
The three-year degree offers a strong grounding in sociological theory and research methods, with a focus on how sociology can be applied to important contemporary issues. Our degree emphasises the strong inter-linkages between the local and the global, while giving you the ability to engage with and undertake qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research. Completing a work-based project and a dissertation enables you to enhance your employability and tailor your study in your own areas of interest.
A wide range of optional modules are available in the programme covering a huge variety of topics, as well as different methodological and epistemological approaches. These modules are led by staff who are world-leading in their research and scholarship.
There is also an opportunity to study abroad for a year (meaning you will complete four years of study in total).
What this course will give you
Sociology is indispensable for understanding today's interconnected yet unequal world. Our degree offers a truly global, de-centred and yet historically grounded curriculum, enabling students to flourish as independent and critical thinkers, capable of tackling urgent global challenges.
The degree includes core modules on social change, urban sociology, global issues, sociological perspectives on identities and research methods, complemented by options on topics including media, politics, youth, race, gender, love and sexuality, migration, work, technology, science and the future.
Our research-led curriculum is taught by world-leading sociologists. It will help you develop your own sociological identity and make you an asset to a range of 21st century employers as they navigate the changing socio-economic environment of the future.
Studying and living in the global city of London offers a unique opportunity for engaging with grassroots and third sector organisations, councils and businesses through guest lectures, site visits and a work-based project in year 3. These opportunities will build skills, knowledge and networks invaluable to career development and active citizenship.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Sociology.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
-
In Year 1, you will take three compulsory modules in term 1 and three compulsory modules in term 2, plus two optional modules.
Year 2 consists of three compulsory modules in term 1 and two compulsory modules in term 2, plus three optional modules
Finally, in Year 3, you will take the work-based study module and complete a dissertation, plus five optional modules.
We offer a range of study abroad opportunities for our students, subject to availability. These include:
- The chance to study abroad for a year at one of our partner institutions.
- Opportunities for short-term volunteering and summer schools around the world
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Your learning
Our innovative teaching and assessment methods include the use of photo diaries, narrative walks, multimedia, and other approaches that will enable you to interact with the built and social environment.
Undergraduate students are expected to carry out 40 hours of study per week during term time, including the lectures and seminars. Much of this time will be independent personal study time - i.e. research, reading, writing, etc.
There are no lectures, seminars, or tutorials on Wednesday afternoons. This allows students to attend various activities available at UCL or elsewhere.
Assessment
Assessment is through a mix of essays, photo-diaries, written examinations, practical exercises, a work-based report and a dissertation in the final year of study. The weight given to each assessment method varies across modules to ensure a manageable workload throughout the programme.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
Visit us
Online - Open day
Sociology information video
Watch this video to find out more about Sociology at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.
The foundation of your career
A work-based project will help you to work collaboratively to apply theoretical approaches to real-world applications. Sociologists make significant contributions to government and public administration, non-governmental and grassroots organisations, charities and international development, teaching and research, business, innovation and design sectors, media, journalism and publishing, health and welfare services, human resources and marketing and much more.
Employability
This degree will give you the edge in a dramatically changing world of work. The skills and critical mindset you develop will not only continue to be needed in an increasingly digital world, but will help you equip your employers to address these and other social transformations.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £9,535 |
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £36,500 |
Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
Please note that if you study abroad during your programme at UCL, this is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.
In addition, students may have to cover some travel costs dependent on their module selection (e.g. for work-based modules).
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
We are looking for motivated candidates with an interest in engaging critically and imaginatively with urgent global challenges. We expect students to have a real curiosity and desire to work collaboratively and apply critical sociological thinking to real-world problems, to re-imagine the future of our interconnected yet unequal world.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Got questions? Get in touch
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.