Course summary
Sociology at Aberdeen opens up your ‘sociological imagination’, as you explore how society shapes us as individuals in all sorts of ways, helping us to understand ourselves, our relationships, and the challenges we face in a changing world. Top-rated excellent teaching and a culture of dynamic research will give you the skills to be a sought-after graduate by employers in many sectors. **Sociology at Aberdeen is rated 4th in Scotland in the Complete University Guide 2023. Sociology at Aberdeen is ranked 10th in the UK and 2nd in Scotland by The Guardian’s Best UK Universities, 2021.** Sociology at Aberdeen explores the issues and challenges of modern societies and how they have developed through time until the present day. You will gain a deep understanding of how society influences people and explore a range of different themes, including social awareness. You will study topics as wide-ranging as sociology of the family, work-life balance, crime, religion and the state. And you will become skilled in the social research methods used to gather the evidence to better understand aspects of society – which could be observation, interviews, large-scale surveys or analysing the content of documents and videos. Your teachers have international reputations for conducting high-quality research in religion and secularisation, conflict and peace, social movements and global political sociology. The skills you will develop in thinking critically and posing probing questions – skills which have tremendous value to employers across the public, private and third sectors. Recent Aberdeen graduates are working in journalism, management, marketing and advertising, local and national government, social research institutions, teaching, health services, social work, charitable organisations, human resources, market research and university and college lecturing. You will enjoy our special, warm welcome at the University of Aberdeen, benefit from excellent teaching, research with international impact and a truly global experience as part of our friendly and vibrant international community. You will love our beautiful campus, great facilities for learning, sports and leisure. There are many opportunities to develop the skills and attributes for a competitive advantage in the career you choose.
Modules
Sociology at Aberdeen covers a wide range of courses, designed to provide you with an in-depth overview of the subject. You will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of sociology by studying subjects such as identity interaction, inequality, social organisation, conflict, media and politics, consumerism, food and globalization, work and the economy.
Assessment method
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods: Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; Written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses. Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
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:
- L300
- Institution code:
- A20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- 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)
For entry to Year 2: Satisfactory completion of HNC Social Sciences (120 SCQF credit points). B in all Graded Units. Students should take units A and B of the discipline/s they wish to study at university, e.g. Psychology A (FK8D 34) and B (J030 34). For Joint honours programmes, students must take A and B for both disciplines. For entry to Year 3: Satisfactory completion of HND Social Sciences (240 SCQF credit points). BBA in Graded Units, where A is the Graded Unit Project in the discipline/s you wish to continue to study. Curriculum to include: Sociology A: Introduction to Sociology (FK8R 34), Sociology B: Applying Sociological Theories and Studies to Sociological Topics (J038 35), Social Science: Research Issues (J0NA 35), Sociology C: Analysing and Evaluating Sociological Debates (J0NA 35), Sociology D: Specialist Study (FK8P 35).
International applicants
When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Scottish Higher - AABB
Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
Scottish HNC
Scottish HND
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/find-a-degree.php
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Overall - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) - DI code is 0818: Overall 78 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Overall - 59 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted. |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Pass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills. |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year) | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169. |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | C | Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169. |
To study for an undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, or through a recognised English language test. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/undergraduate-degrees-english-requirements-268.php
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
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £20800 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £20800 | 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
EU/International Applicants: When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country, and arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.
Sponsorship information
View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be able to apply for.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX