Sociology

Sociology is the scientific and humanistic study of society, asking how social structures, institutions, and processes shape individual lives and collective experience. It examines the roots and consequences of inequality, asking how class, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and sexuality shape the opportunities and constraints that people face. It investigates how social institutions, including the family, education, the state, and the media, organise social life and reproduce or challenge existing power relations.

And it provides the analytical tools to make sense of a rapidly changing world.

At Southampton, which has strong research expertise in sociology and a commitment to teaching that makes a difference, this three-year full-time degree helps you explore how experiences are shaped by social categories and how this is changing in the twenty-first century. You will develop the ability to analyse social structures using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, building the skills to investigate sociological questions with rigour and to communicate your findings effectively. Southampton's lecturers bring their research expertise into the classroom, ensuring that you engage with live debates and emerging findings in the discipline.

Sociology graduates are equipped to contribute positively to issues at a local, national, and global level. Careers in social research, public policy, education, social work, community development, journalism, human resources, public health, and the voluntary sector are all natural destinations. The analytical and research skills that sociology develops are transferable to many other professional fields, and many graduates find that their sociological training gives them a distinctive perspective that is valued by employers across sectors.

Postgraduate study in sociology, social policy, criminology, or related fields is a natural continuation for those wishing to develop specialist expertise.