Our reputation for linking high quality teaching and research is well recognised and contributes to a rich learning environment.

Full entry requirements

Sociology at Leicester

The BA Sociology degree provides a thorough grounding in major areas of sociological analysis, theory and research methods. It presents you with an opportunity to pursue a wide range of topics, as well as the invaluable experience of conducting a research project on a topic of your choice. You also have the option of spending the second semester of the Second Year studying abroad.

Why Choose Sociology at Leicester?

Places: 52
Applications: 254
National Student Survey: 8th for student satisfaction. 96% of students satisfied with their course.
Research Ranking: 75%
Example Jobs: Care Worker; County Welfare Officer; Employment Services Officer; Learning Support Assistant; Nursery Nurse; Teacher.
Example Employers: Amnesty International; Boots; British International School; Leicestershire and Rutland County FA.
Example jobs and employers information comes from the University’s ‘Where Did They Go?’ survey, and shows destinations of 2009/10 graduates 6 months after graduation.

The Department of Sociology The Department was one of the first sociology departments established in the UK and currently has expertise in many different areas, including: health and the body; football and sport; education and training; the media; children and childhood; the environment; identity, fashion and consumption; media and communication; the global sex trade; cosmetic surgery; class, gender and ethnicity; age and the life course; happiness and well-being; sociology of science; sociological theory; and social research methods. This allows us to offer students a wide range of modules taught by experts who currently conduct research in these areas.

Our staff regularly contribute to major national and international journals and have recently authored or edited more than 45 books. The largest and most-cited social science journal in the world, Social Science and Medicine, is based here. Sociology Review, the key periodical for school and college students, is also edited in the Department. Their experience in writing for a range of audiences means that our staff are excellent communicators.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

As an undergraduate student, you would take three modules each semester. There are two lectures and one seminar for each module, making a minimum of nine hours contact time per week. Teaching staff have regular office hours for individual consultations and students are encouraged to meet regularly with their lecturers and tutors to discuss their work and receive guidance and feedback.

During the remainder of your study time you are able to access our excellent learning resources provided by the library, Student Support and Development Service and the Department of Sociology. Many of our resources are now available electronically and can be accessed remotely from any Internet connection. As well as traditional written material, we provide a growing selection of multimedia resources to enrich your learning experience. 

In order to cover a wide range of competencies, assessment varies between modules but involves an equal balance of coursework and examinations. 

Course Opportunities

Study Abroad - The USA

You can choose to spend the second semester of your Second Year studying in the USA at one of the following institutions: University of Georgia, Athens, GA; California State, Long Beach, CA; University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; State University of New York, Buffalo, NY; University of Texas, Arlington, TX.

This programme enables you to follow recognised modules at your host institution in place of the modules normally followed during this semester at Leicester. Your results in these modules are credited to your degree on your return. No additional tuition fees are involved and you may stay in university accommodation while overseas.

Erasmus Scheme - Universities of Lund and Krakow

Alternatively, you could spend the semester studying at the University of Lund, Sweden, or the Jagiellonian University Krakow, Poland, as part of the European Commission’s Erasmus Scheme. All teaching is delivered in English and additional language training is provided to ensure you are able to interact with the community. You would also receive a substantial Erasmus grant to contribute to your living expenses (€378 per month for 2010/11 students).

Many organisations have an international scope so knowledge of a foreign language and/ or a global outlook can give you a vital edge in the graduate jobs market.

Skills Gained

Our curriculum, teaching methods and assessments are designed to ensure that students develop a wide range of transferable skills valued by employers and other agencies beyond the University. These include data collection and analysis, oral presentation, communication and team-working, effective use of information technology, as well as the ability to write clearly and accessibly in a range of formats. 

Graduate/Career Opportunities

Graduates from the Department are very successful in pursuing their chosen careers and have an extremely good record of securing employment immediately following their graduation. Recent graduates have entered a wide variety of careers including: teaching, policing, social work, journalism, law, campaigning and advocacy, public relations, advertising, retail management, human resources and research posts in commercial and academic environments. In addition, our degrees provide an excellent foundation for a wide range of postgraduate courses at Leicester and elsewhere.

We encourage students to start thinking about their career development from the moment they arrive at Leicester. Students and their personal tutors work together on Personal Development Planning and a structured programme of careers events is provided in all three years of study. The University’s Careers Service provides additional support and resources and can help with work placements, CVs, applications and research.

Full entry requirements

Opportunities to Visit and Further Information

We would strongly encourage you to visit the Department. The University organises several Open Days each year, and if you apply to us you will be personally invited to a Departmental Visit Day. However, you are welcome to visit the Department by appointment at any time.

For details of our Open Days, a copy of our course brochure or general enquiries, please contact:
Admissions Tutor
Dr Patrick White
+44 (0116) 252 2739
ugradsoc@le.ac.uk
www.le.ac.uk/sociology/

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