Funding
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersHow does society work? Why are some groups disadvantaged and others not? Learn to ask the sociological questions that really matter – and how to get the right answers.
This course is open for Clearing applications.
BA (Hons) Sociology offers exciting opportunities for you to study the cutting-edge discipline of sociology in the vibrant city of Manchester. It is aimed at students who want to understand and analyse contemporary social phenomena, trends and struggles, as well as think critically about solutions to pressing social issues.
The first year introduces you to the building blocks of sociology: key sociological concepts and theories, social divisions and problems, and major transformations – such as globalisation or digital culture – which are altering the fabric of contemporary society. You will receive training in a wide range of research methods during the first two years, to become equipped to undertake your own independent research project in your final year.
Our large, multi...
3 years full-time
4 years full-time with placement
4 years full-time with study abroad
6 years part-time
Alisha"I love that I got the opportunity to tailor my degree to what I wanted to learn and what interested me."
BA (Hons) Sociology
Sociology is an exciting and contemporary discipline which investigates the big questions: How does society work? Why are some groups of people (dis)advantaged and denied opportunities? How do people experience their everyday lives? Where do social patterns, structures and common ways of 'doing things' come from? What are the dominant belief systems and whose interests do they serve?
In investigating these questions, sociology considers the role that individuals play in shaping their lives as well as the larger structural forces and organisations which impact on them. Sociology is a critical discipline which questions the status quo and scrutinises every aspect of society, from consumption to work, from the media to politics, from crime to personal relationships; this is what makes it such an incredibly wide-ranging and cutting-edge discipline.
As you progress through this course, they will have increasing flexibility to pursue their own specific sociological interests through a range of optional units. The course is supported by the use of innovative teaching methods, particularly interactive learning, and students will develop an array of transferable skills, which will prove valuable for a wide range of graduate careers.
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027
National Student Survey 2024 (NSS)
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
Please note our entry requirements may differ slightly at Clearing. Please call the Clearing helpline on +44 (0)161 247 3000 for more details.
UK and Channel Islands full-time foundation year fee: £9,250 per year for the foundation year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
EU and Non-EU international full-time foundation year fee: £18,500 per year. When progressing from the pre-degree foundation year to the linked degree. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study)
Full-time fee: £9,250 per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
Part-time fee: £2312.50 per 30 credits studied per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
Full-time fee: £18,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £4625 per 30 credits studied per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. The tuition fee for the placement year for those courses that offer this option is £1,850, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study). The tuition fee for the study year abroad for those courses that offer this option is £1,385, subject to inflationary increases based on government policy and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time students may take a maximum of 90 credits each academic year.
Optional estimate: £600
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, you may choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. You may also need to print your assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop and up to £100 each year for books and printing.
Optional estimate: £100
There are local field trips on some second and third year units (eg to the Manchester Prison and The Manchester Police Museum), which incur travelling expenses but these are small as local public transport can be used.
In your second year, you may be able to choose to study abroad for one term or the full year. Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to engaging with the Turing programme, the UK government scheme to support students to study and work abroad. All study abroad opportunities are subject to application, international travel restrictions and availability. If you go on a study exchange overseas (either the US or Australia), you will be liable for all your travelling expenses and any additional living costs.
There is a heavily reduced fee to complete the additional work placement year. You can apply for student finance to cover this fee, just as you do for your other years of university.
Optional estimate: £73
You can choose to join the British Sociological Association at any point in your studies, but this is not a requirement of the course. The annual charge is identified for every year. Please see their website for the most up-to-date fees: https://www.britsoc.co.uk/membership/membership-categories-rates/
Optional estimate: £75
In your third year, you may work with a partner organisation as part of an applied dissertation or a quantitative dissertation. This is an option. If you do choose one of these units, local travel expenses in the Manchester city region may incur.
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersThere is the potential to work in areas such as probation work, housing, family care and other roles in social services. Other graduates have gone into administrative and managerial jobs in local or national government, or have roles within the voluntary sector.
There is also the opportunity to engage in further study and professional training, for example some of our graduates go on to study at postgraduate level with our range of Masters programmes. Our courses are informed by experts in their field, from MSc Applied Quantitative Methods, which is based at one of only 18 Q-Step Centre’s in the UK, and MA Applied Criminology, taught by former justice practitioners and research experts; to the Master in Public Administration and MSc Evaluation and Policy Analysis, which are both led by academics from the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU). You can also study MSc Digital Society (with specialisms in Digital Sociology and Digital Politics).
You can apply for this course through Clearing.
Call our friendly team to find out more about this course and applying through Clearing.
Please have the following information handy:
If you are an international student, please also have the following ready:
Call us on +44 (0)161 247 3000
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.