BA (Hons) Sociology with a Year Abroad
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- L30A
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Do you want to understand how society works – why inequality persists, how identities are formed, and the way that power operates within social institutions? If you’re fascinated by the way that society functions, you’re driven by a desire to change the world, and you want the opportunity to experience a year abroad, this is the degree for you.
Sociology at UEA puts you in charge of designing the course you want to study. Our teaching emphasises creative, critical and applied learning so you can learn in ways that suit you, and develop a wide range of skills and interests. You can take modules from other schools across campus, which is something quite distinctive about Sociology at UEA, and something our students truly value.
The course is designed around four key pathways:
- Criminology
- The Sociology of Children and Families
- The Sociology of Social Change
- Digital Sociology
You can focus on specific modules to build your expertise in a pathway, or select modules to explore all of them, and you’re free to change your focus if your interests change.
We have a large community of experts in Sociology ranging from social and political theorists, to specialists in social policy, social work, education and global development. Your year abroad will give you the exciting opportunity to be absorbed into university life within a different culture. You can choose from a broad range of our partner universities in North America, Europe, Australasia, or Asia.
Sociology graduates will be critical thinkers, able to conduct social research, communicate complex ideas and reflect on existing and emerging career opportunities. The programme’s pathways are designed to link to employment options, as well as provide a strong foundation for postgraduate study.
Year Abroad
On our Study Abroad programme, there is the opportunity to spend your third year studying at one of our partner universities before returning to UEA for your final year. This is a fantastic opportunity to expand your sociological thinking across international contexts. You’ll be supported by our Study Abroad Team throughout your journey.
For more information see our Study Abroad pages.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you’ll study five compulsory modules which will develop your understanding of sociology and create a foundation from which you can shape your sociological interests.
You’ll discover how sociology has developed. You’ll grapple with how concepts have been created, and the contested nature of knowledge. You’ll be introduced to the process of research and evidence.
Year 1 modules will introduce you to the four key pathways the course is designed around. At the end of the first year, you’ll choose your year 2 option modules from a range of options within or across these pathways:
- Criminology - explores not only the criminal justice systems relating to ‘crime’ and ‘criminals’, but also sociological perspectives on wider concepts concerning harm and social justice.
- The Sociology of Children and Families - draws on the School’s internationally respected scholarship on children and families, looking at a wide range of issues across regional, national and international contexts.
- The Sociology of Social Change - addresses social inequality, social justice and social change across a range of contemporary issues, topics and contexts.
- Digital Sociology - explores the role of digital media in our everyday lives, considering the technological developments that have changed or preserved the ways our social worlds are made and remade.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In Year 1, you’ll take five compulsory modules, and have approximately nine hours of timetabled in-person classes per week. Classes will be made up of a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. In addition, you’ll be given independent study activities and reading, all supported by resources on the University’s virtual learning environment.
Independent study
Alongside your taught sessions, you’ll be required to work independently, and with your peers in groups. Lecturers will ask you to complete preparatory reading and tasks and bring these with you to sessions. Your independent study tasks are designed by the course team to help you to develop as an independent and self-regulated learner.
Supportive Learning Community
You’ll have a personal academic adviser who will support and advise you on your studies and developing career ambitions. We also offer weekly staff-student drop-in sessions, and a programme of extra curricula events that will enable you to feel part of a community of sociologists at UEA.
Assessment
You’ll experience a range of assessment methods which are used to check your progress and ensure your academic development. These include essays, reports, projects, presentations and examinations. In addition to traditional essay-style work, our modules offer you the chance to develop skills in communicating ideas through a variety of creative and applied ways, reflecting the variety of teaching and learning activities you'll encounter.
In Year 1 our assessment methods include essays, projects and one online open-book examination.
We use formative assessment in all our modules to help you prepare for your summative assessment and to gain additional feedback on your skills and understanding.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll study compulsory modules designed to consolidate your core understanding of sociology.
In addition to your compulsory modules, you’ll take a range of optional modules offered from a range of Schools across the University. These specialist modules align with the course pathways and enable you to create specific routes through your degree. You’ll be encouraged to consider how these pathways may relate to your career plans.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 60)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In Year 2, you’ll take two compulsory and four option modules. The contact hours for your timetabled classes will be similar to Year 1, depending on the combination of option modules you take from the different Schools. Although the overall hours of study expected on different modules will be the same, different module designs will have different combinations of in-person sessions, independent activities, and online learning.
Assessment
In your compulsory Year 2 modules, assessments include a project, an essay and a policy brief. The assessment types for option modules will vary and you’ll know how a module is assessed before you make your option module choices. The option modules offered by the Sociology staff include assessments using essays, written coursework, posters, presentations and reflective writing.
We use formative assessment in all our modules to help you prepare for your summative assessment and to gain additional feedback on your skills and understanding.
Structure
In the third year, you’ll complete modules set by the institution you choose to study at for your year abroad.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner universities before returning to UEA for your final year.
Assessment
Your year abroad is a pass/fail. This means your results from the university abroad are not converted into your final UEA degree classification, but you need to pass the year according to the assessment practices of your host university.
Structure
In the fourth year, you’ll return to us and complete a compulsory dissertation project which will enable you to explore an area of sociology which you’re particularly enthusiastic about. You’re able to choose from different project types to suit your skills, preferences and interests.
In addition to your dissertation, you’ll also take a range of option modules, again aligned with the four key pathways. These further advance your specialist knowledge and are designed to help you prepare for developing a career, or going on to postgraduate study.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In Year 4, you’ll take four option modules alongside a year-long dissertation project. The dissertation project is a substantial piece of work supported by individual supervision and some group work. The greater emphasis on independent work involved in dissertation projects means your contact hours in Year 4 will be slightly lower than Years 1 and 2.
Assessment
In Year 4, you’ll write an 8000-word dissertation report detailing findings from an in-depth exploration of a sociological issue that you find fascinating. The assessment types for option modules will vary and you’ll know how a module is assessed before you make your option module choices. The option modules offered by the Sociology staff in Year 4 include assessments using essays, written coursework, posters, presentations and reflective writing.
We use formative assessment in all our modules to help you prepare for your summative assessment and to gain additional feedback on your skills and understanding.
Employability
After the Course
Graduates from the Sociology programme will be critical thinkers, able to conduct social research, communicate complex ideas and reflect personally on existing and emerging career opportunities. The programme’s pathways have been designed to link to employment options; and the theoretical and research components of your degree will also provide you with a strong foundation for postgraduate study.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Charity Managers
- Police roles
- Professionals in education, caring and social service roles
- Policy Analysts and Researchers
- Media, Marketing, Communications and Campaign Specialists
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Contextual Offer: DD plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
Contextual Offer: D plus BC at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism.
Acceptable subjects: Education and Early Years, Health
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - Global Development with a Foundation Year
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers
BCC A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
A levels
ABB
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
-
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: