Sociology

Sociology is concerned with understanding social life and the forces that shape it, from the intimate bonds of family and friendship to the large-scale structures of class, race, gender, and global economic systems. On this part-time degree at the University of Salford, you will study human connections and relationships, examining how social structures are linked to behaviour and life chances, and how they are reproduced and sometimes challenged and transformed over time.

You will tackle difficult and urgent questions about poverty, inequality, sexism, racism, austerity, immigration, digital privacy, and social unrest, bringing theoretical frameworks from sociology's rich intellectual tradition to bear on the realities of contemporary life. The programme develops your capacity to analyse social phenomena carefully and critically, using qualitative and quantitative research methods to gather and interpret evidence and to distinguish between robust findings and unexamined assumptions. You will also gain insight into cultural and everyday dimensions of social life, examining how meaning is made and how identities are formed and contested in different social contexts.

The part-time format makes the degree accessible to students who are managing work or other commitments alongside their studies. Sociology develops transferable skills in research, critical analysis, and written and verbal communication that are valued across a wide range of sectors. Graduates move into careers in social work, community development, public policy, journalism, education, market research, human resources, charitable organisations, the health and social care professions, and the public sector.

Many continue to postgraduate study in sociology, social policy, criminology, or social research methods.