Sociology/Philosophy
Sociology and philosophy are disciplines that have been in productive dialogue since the foundations of both subjects were laid in the nineteenth century. Sociology examines how societies are structured, how social facts shape individual behaviour, and how inequality, power and identity are reproduced across generations. Philosophy asks the fundamental questions about knowledge, existence, morality and human nature that underlie all the social sciences, and provides the analytical tools for examining those questions with precision and rigour.
Together they equip you to think about the most important questions of social life with both empirical seriousness and philosophical depth.
At the University of Glasgow, this four-year full-time degree follows the Scottish Honours structure, giving you a broad foundation in both disciplines before moving into more specialised study. In sociology you will engage with the classical theorists as well as contemporary debates about race, gender, class, globalisation, culture and social change. In philosophy you will explore epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, political philosophy and philosophy of mind, developing the capacity to construct and evaluate arguments with clarity and exactness.
The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study at a partner institution in another country and to bring a comparative perspective to both disciplines. Typical entry is around 200 UCAS tariff points.
Graduates from sociology and philosophy combinations are particularly well suited to careers that require sustained analytical thinking about human beings and social systems. Common destinations include research, the civil service and public policy, law, journalism, education, social work, the third sector and political organisations. The ability to examine social phenomena through both empirical and philosophical lenses is valuable in any context where evidence, ethics and argument intersect.
Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in sociology, philosophy, social policy, law or related fields.