Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury

Sociology BSc

The Sociology BSc 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 tackle the challenges of 21st century society. There is also an opportunity to study abroad for a year (meaning you will complete four years of study in total) at one of our partner institutions.

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Key information

Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years full time
Fees (2026/27)
UK: £9,790 per year
International: £39,200 per year
Application deadlines
13 January 2027. Applications close at 6pm UK time.
Applications may stay open after this UCAS Equal Consideration deadline, please check UCAS for details.
Course starts
September 2027
View 2026 entry
UCAS code
L301
Location
London, Bloomsbury
Department
Social Research Institute
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Entry requirements

Grades
AAB
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6

Contextual offer

Grades
BBB
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6

At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.

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 and International Education.

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. We assess your eligibility for Access UCL based on the information contained within your UCAS application. We review and update our Access UCL eligibility criteria and datasets every year, so please check the requirements for the year you plan to apply.

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who do not 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.

About this course

The Sociology BSc emphasises the application of sociological thinking to real-world issues. Blending local and global perspectives, the course aims to equip students with the tools to understand and analyse the forces shaping contemporary societies - from environmental risks and climate change to deepening economic inequalities, the rise of new nationalisms and technological transformations. Drawing on UCL’s rich tradition of sociological scholarship and cutting-edge research and teaching, the degree provides a strong foundation in both sociological theory and research methods. Over the course of the degree, you will develop a “21st-century sociological imagination” and engage with a wide range of topics and theoretical approaches.

The course will also prepare you for a wide array of career paths through the development of strong analytical, research, and communication skills. You will be trained in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research and acquire transferable skills -  from conducting independent research and critically evaluating evidence to communicating complex ideas clearly and effectively to varied audiences. The Sociology BSc will also teach you to apply these skills in its final-year ‘Work-Based Project’, where you will work with stakeholders in government, multinational corporations and charities in the third-sector to deliver research-based reports that will inform their policies and practices. As a Sociology BSc graduate, you will be well equipped to apply sociological perspectives to contemporary social challenges and contribute meaningfully to global citizenship.

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. 

Course structure

Our Sociology BSc degree provides a rigorous sociological foundation while embracing an interdisciplinary approach. The degree includes core modules on social change, urban sociology, global issues, sociological perspectives on identities and research methods. This is complemented by options on topics such as media, digital sociology, politics, youth, race, gender, love and sexuality, family, migration, market and capitalism, work, and the future. Students will also be able to explore different disciplines such as anthropology or economics - among others - through optional and elective modules subject to availability and timetable. These modules are led by staff who are world-leading in their research and scholarship.

In Year 1, you will take six compulsory modules, plus two optional modules.

Year 2 consists of five compulsory modules, plus three optional modules.

In Year 3, you will take the Work-Based Project Module and complete a dissertation, plus four optional modules.

Modules

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).

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.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

Teaching on the Sociology BSc degree involves a full complement of lectures, seminars and workshops, alongside more innovative approaches such as photo diaries, narrative walks, multimedia work, and other activities that will enable you to interact directly with the social world. All students on the degree will be appointed a Personal Academic Tutor, who will help you to get the most out of your studies and, provide support and encouragement during your time on the degree.

Assessment is delivered through a variety of methods. These may include essays, photo-diaries, examinations, practical exercises, presentations, a work-based report, and a dissertation in the final year of study. The weighting given to each assessment method varies across modules to ensure a manageable workload throughout the course.

Most modules include a weekly lecture and seminar, though some are delivered in a combined workshop format. Depending on your chosen modules, you can expect between 10 and 14 hours of scheduled “classroom time” per week. In addition to these sessions, students are expected to spend 20 to 25 hours per week on independent study.

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Study mode UK fee (2026/27) Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time £9,790 £39,200

UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval 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. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.

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

Students may need to cover travel costs to fulfil the requirements of certain modules. This may include travel within London for activities such as site visits for the compulsory work-based module or trips to museums and other relevant locations included in different modules. 

For in-person teaching, UCL's main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1–2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2026. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. 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).

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.

Why study this course at UCL?

The degree will help you develop your sociological identity and make you an asset to 21st-century employers as they navigate an evolving socio-economic landscape.

Throughout your studies, you will gain a strong foundation in advanced sociological theory and research and develop advanced analytical and methodological skills. These range from surveys and quantitative statistical analysis to ethnography and qualitative interviewing. You will also receive training in key analytical tools such as R for statistical analysis. Practical experience is integrated into the course through our Work-Based Project module, where you will work closely with organisations in social policy, local government, community engagement, and multinational commerce. Additionally, you may contribute to academic research via the Research Internship for the Social Sciences module (subject to availability). These combined skills, training, and experiences will prepare you for a range of career paths.

To support your career development, you will participate in tailored workshops led by the UCL Social Research Institute and gain access to UCL’s wider career networks and events.

Finally, studying and living in London provides a unique opportunity to engage with grassroots and third-sector organisations, councils, and businesses through guest lectures and site visits enhancing your skills, knowledge, and professional network for both career progression and active citizenship.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

This degree will give students the edge in a dramatically changing world of work. The strong social and technical skillset and critical mindset they will develop will not only continue to be needed in an increasingly digital, automated world but will help them equip employers to address the social transformations of the future. The Sociology BSc degree also contributes directly to our students’ postgraduate employability through its distinctive Year 3 Work-based Project module, which has students engage in consultancy work for government, third sector, and multinational corporations. We also provide a series of tailored careers events. These include sessions with alumni and sector experts, organised by the department to support students in exploring career pathways and building professional networks.

This degree prepares you for a wide range of careers, such as government and public administration, non-governmental and grassroots organisations, charities, international development, teaching and research, business, innovation and design sectors, media, journalism and publishing, health and welfare services, human resources and marketing.

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Register your interest

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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.

Apply for this course

You are applying for the Sociology BSc course. Please note that the course options presented as post-enrolment specialisms will be available for you to choose once your enrolment is confirmed. For application guidance please visit Application guidelines.

Course starts: September 2027

UCAS applications open for 2027 entry on 12 May 2026.

Got questions? Get in touch

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Social Research Institute

Social Research Institute

Click to email. bsc-sociology@ucl.ac.uk

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