Social Work and Sociology at UEA
Find out more about studying Social Work and Sociology at UEA, and browse our other courses.
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Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Discover the transformative power of Sociology – on a Sociology course designed by you. Are you curious about how society functions—why inequality persists, how identities are shaped, and how power operates? If you're intrigued by these questions and passionate about making a difference in a changing world, Sociology is for you.
The BA Sociology with a Year Abroad course 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, whilst developing a wide range of skills and interests. The course is designed around four pathways:
You can focus on specific modules to build your expertise in a pathway, or select modules to explore all of them, and you can change your focus if your interests change.
Our vibrant community of sociology experts includes social and political theorists, as well as specialists in social policy, social work, education, and global development. Your year abroad will give you the opportunity to be absorbed into university life within a different culture. You can choose from a range of our partner universities in North America, Europe, Australasia, or Asia.
Sociology graduates will be critical thinkers, skilled in conducting social research, articulating complex ideas, and exploring existing and emerging career opportunities. The programme’s pathways are designed to link to employment options and provide a strong foundation for postgraduate study.
Find out more about studying Social Work and Sociology at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreIn year one, you'll take five core modules designed to build your understanding of sociology and lay the foundation for developing your sociological interests. You'll explore the evolution of sociology, the creation of key concepts, and the debates surrounding knowledge. Additionally, you'll be introduced to research methods and the role of evidence in sociological inquiry.
Year one modules introduce the four pathways so that at the end of the first year, you can choose your second year’s optional modules from a range of options within or across these pathways:
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.
In your first year, you study five compulsory modules, with approximately nine hours of timetabled in-person classes per week. This will be made up of a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be given independent study activities and reading, all supported by resources on the University’s virtual learning environment.
Independent study
In addition to your taught sessions, you’ll be given tasks to work independently, and with your peers in groups. You’ll complete preparatory reading and tasks and bring these with you to sessions. These tasks are designed by the module teams to help you to develop as an independent learner.
Supportive Learning Community
You’ll have a personal academic adviser who supports and advises you on your studies and career ambitions. We also run weekly staff-student drop-in sessions, and a programme of extra curricula events that help you to feel part of a community of sociologists at UEA.
You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods designed to track your progress and support your academic growth. These include essays, reports, projects, presentations, and exams. Beyond traditional essay writing, our modules provide opportunities to develop your ability to communicate ideas through diverse creative and applied approaches, reflecting the range of teaching and learning experiences you’ll engage with. In year one you’ll also take one online open-book examination.
We incorporate formative assessments in all our modules, serving as practice evaluations to help you prepare for summative assessments and receive additional feedback on your evolving skills and understanding.
In year two, you'll take more compulsory modules that strengthen and deepen your knowledge of sociology, supporting your expertise in your chosen specialisms.
You'll also have the opportunity to select from a variety of optional modules offered by different Schools across the University. These modules align with the course pathways, allowing you to tailor your degree to your interests. You’ll get the support and resources to explore how your chosen pathway connects to your future career plans, with guidance from our dedicated Careers team. In year two, you’ll also work with the Study Abroad team to decide where in the world you want to study in year three.
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.
In year two, you’ll take both compulsory and optional modules. The number of hours for your timetabled sessions will be similar to year one, depending on the combination of optional modules you’ll take. Although the overall amount of study expected on different modules will be the same, different modules have different combinations of in-person sessions, independent activities, and online learning.
In your compulsory year two modules, assessments include a portfolio and project work. In your optional modules, the assessment types will differ between modules, but you’ll know how a module is assessed before you make your choices. The optional modules delivered by the Sociology staff include assessments using essays, written reports, posters, presentations and reflective writing.
In year two, your summative marks contribute to your final degree grade. To support your preparation, we continue to use formative assessments—which do not count toward your degree—allowing you to refine your skills and perform your best when it matters most.
In year three, at your study abroad university, you’ll complete modules set by the institution you choose.
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.
You’ll spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner universities before returning to UEA for your final year.
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.
In year four, you’ll return to UEA and complete your dissertation project which will enable you to explore an area of sociology 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 four optional modules, again aligned with the four course pathways. These further advance your specialist knowledge and are designed to help prepare you for your future career or continuing to postgraduate study.
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.
In year four, you’ll complete your degree at UEA, studying four optional modules as well as a year-long dissertation project. The dissertation project is a significant undertaking, guided by individual supervision and some group sessions. With a stronger focus on independent research, your contact hours in year four will be lower compared to years one and two.
In year four, you’ll complete an 8,000-word dissertation report on a project of your choice, allowing you to explore a sociological topic in greater depth. Similar to year two, assessment methods for optional modules vary, and you’ll know how each module is assessed before making your selection. Sociology staff offer a range of assessment types, including written coursework, posters, presentations, and reflective writing.
Since summative assessments in year three contribute to your final degree mark, we continue to use formative assessments across all modules to help you prepare and receive additional feedback on your skills and understanding.
Graduates of Sociology with a Year Abroad degree will have critical thinking skills, the ability to conduct social research, and the capacity to communicate complex ideas while reflecting on both existing and emerging career opportunities. The program’s pathways are designed to align with various employment options, while its theoretical and research components provide a strong foundation for further postgraduate study. The year abroad will give you skills and experience that will further enhance all of these.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
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.
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.
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.
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3.
Contextual Offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and pass in 15 credits at Level 3.
Obtain an overall Merit.
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
32 points overall
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
AAABB
BCC
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
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.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
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.
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.
ABB
32 points overall
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre 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.
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, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
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.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
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:
Sociology with a Year Abroad starting September 2026 for 4 years