University of Reading has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
This programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make sense of contemporary societies and how they are changing. You will study the social processes which shape individuals, social groups, and social institutions and which underpin social order and social change. You will learn to connect key theoretical and conceptual ideas to core dimensions of social differentiation such as gender, class, and race, as well as age, sexuality, education, and more. You will have the opportunity to range widely, extending your studies into areas such as crime, the media, politics, and education, and discovering how sociological thinking can help to address contemporary social problems. Interactive small group teaching is central to the programme. Through discussion and debate, you will deepen your understanding of how we, as individuals and groups, are shaped by the societies we live in, and how they, in turn, shape us. You will also gain an appreciation of the complex and contested nature of social problems and proposed policy solutions. Studying Sociology will equip you with a wide range of social scientific skills, including analysing date and evidence from diverse sources, developing persuasive arguments, and communicating these effectively. This will prepare you for a wide range of potential careers in local and central government and in the charitable and commercial sectors.
Modules
The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2025/26. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. Core modules for this course: Degree Core Competences, Placement Support, Thinking Sociologically, Gender, Race, and Class: Social Differentiation and Stratification, British Society, Contemporary Social Problems. The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. We suggest that you regularly revisit our course page to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme. Check our website for more details about the course structure.
How to apply
29Jan
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:
- L301
- Institution code:
- R12
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 18 credits M: 27 credits
Scottish Higher - ABBBB
Scottish Advanced Higher - BBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
Extended Project - B
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - M2, M2, M2
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - M
Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BCC.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 88 | We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | B | We require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | C | We require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162. |
| PTE Academic | 69 | We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| Institution's Own Test | Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). | |
| Trinity ISE | Merit | We require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element. |
Full list of acceptable English Language Tests
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £25250 | Year 1 |
| International | £25250 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Reading
Whiteknights House
PO Box 217
Reading
RG6 6AH