Course summary
You will embrace new ideas and schools of thought on this intellectually stimulating and personally empowering BSc/BSc (Hons) Public Sociology course. It encourages rigorous critical thinking on complex and challenging social issues, opening the door to a wide range of careers. Why QMU?
- This was the first undergraduate public sociology degree in Scotland.
- Many of our staff are actively involved in social justice, and so you will see first-hand how we can bring what we study to life.
- We offer a stimulating environment in which students can develop the intellectual and professional edge needed for working with 21st century society, and in which our staff work on outward-facing, innovative and cross-disciplinary research.
- Our course is student-focused and research-informed. It offers students the opportunity to work closely with staff on current, real-world projects and collaborations.
- Our class sizes are smaller compared with some universities, so you have closer and more personal support and guidance from our staff.
- We came top amongst UK universities for 'overall student satisfaction in social sciences' in the National Student Survey 2021.
- Engage with diverse communities and develop a sense of the ways in which a public sociological imagination can meaningfully intervene in real-world political and social events.
- Ask, and be able to answer, critical questions such as 'What is the nature of society and how can we change it for the better? What are the root causes of social injustice and inequality? How could we change society’s perception of them, and make the actual changes themselves?
- Reflect upon the ways in which sociological knowledge can affect real change in people’s everyday lives.
- Learn how to critique preconceptions about social equality and justice.
- Learn how to make sense of complex and challenging social issues, and how to provoke change.
- Understand how the public sociologist and sociological knowledge can create radical approaches to solving social problems.
Modules
Year One •Introduction to Academia and the Sociological Imagination •Foundations of Psychology •Introduction to Psychology •Diversity, Identity and Wellbeing •Methods of Investigation Year Two •Social Inquiry – Philosophy and Design •Social and Developmental Psychology •Psychological Literacy •Production and Consumption of Culture •Engaged Sociology Year Three •Current Debates in Sociology •Sociology of Liberation •Interaction and Social Order •Poverty and Social Exclusion •Social Research – Theory and Practice •Changing World: Social Movement and Global Change Year Four •Dissertation •European Social Policy and Politics •Options may include: Gender Justice and Violence: Feminist Approaches/ Queer Theory, Gender and Sexual Politics; Sociology of Scotland/ Public Sociology Education The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2022) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2023. Please check back here for any updates.
Assessment method
You will be taught in lectures, seminars and practical workshops. Outside these timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by essays and a variety of other ways including written reports, presentations and groupwork.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L390
- Institution code:
- Q25
- Campus name:
- Queen Margaret University
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
We can consider applications to level 2 or 3 with suitable qualifications. Agreed articulation routes from Scottish HNC and HND programmes can be found here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/access-to-higher-education/college-leavers-and-mature-students/
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - CCD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - BBCC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
We accept many different qualifications, but cannot list them all here. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information or advice if you are thinking of taking a course of study. We welcome applications from international and EU applicants and you can find information on specific entry requirements by country here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/information-for-your-country/. We also welcome applications from mature students, or people holding qualifications such as Access courses or OU modules. The Scottish Wider Access Partnership (SWAP) offers a range of local Access courses and those that are accepted for entry are listed here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Scottish Higher - BCCC
English language requirements
IELTS with an overall score equivalent to 6.0 and with no individual component less than 5.5.
QMU English Language Requirements
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £8000 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students from England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland: full-time Rest of UK fees will be charged for the first three years of study. The fourth year is free.
Provider information
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University Drive
Musselburgh
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU