BSc (Hons) Sociology with Psychology degree • City, University of London

This course is for 2023/24 entry. Details for 2024/25 entry are also available.

What is unique about this course?

Key information

Combine sociology with psychology for a fascinating degree that explores society and the people that create it. You’ll learn about the external forces that shape society and the internal forces that drive human behaviour. Both subjects will develop your skills in research and data analysis.

Start date

September 2023

UCAS code

LCH8

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years with placement year

Institution

City, University of London

Location

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

IELTS:

6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component.
Cambridge ESOL: CPE grade C or above

English language programmes

Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

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Prospectus

Sociology with Psychology BSc (Hons) degree Course overview

This three-year degree focuses on sociology and complements the subject with modules in psychology. You’ll learn about how the social relations between people emerge and change, and explore structural inequalities that define our lives. You’ll also study cognition, development and behaviour.

You’ll develop critical thinking studying topics including:

gender
class
race
migration
family life
work and popular culture.

You’ll also develop the methodological expertise to analyse social and psychological data.

Develop highly sought-after data literacy and quantitative skills, thanks to our strong links with City’s Q-Step Centre
Become a critical thinker with an in-depth understanding of the complex interplay of local and global forces
Opt onto a Q-Step quantitative methods pathway: benefit from a heightened focus on data skills, a workplace Data Placement in Year 2, and an optional international work placement
Boost your employability with an optional placement year
Take advantage of excellent internship opportunities thanks to our central London location, including access to organisations in media and, crime and justice, human rights, and mental health.

Structure

Course content

Focusing predominantly on sociology at each stage of this three year BSc Sociology with Psychology degree, you will also broaden your understanding of social life through complementary modules in psychology.

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3

Year 1

The first year is highly structured to provide you with a firm foundation in the core aspects of Sociology and introduce you to Psychology. You take six 15 credit Sociology core modules and two 15 credit core elective Psychology modules. You can also take a language module as a non-credit bearing module.

Learning from Social Data (15 credits)

Numbers are everywhere: in the media, in political and policy debate, in advertising and in social research. This module helps you develop a critical approach to statistical claims and the analysis of quantitative data.
Data and the Social World (15 credits)

This module provides an introductory overview of the processes involved in the production and collation of large scale social data sets.
Thinking Sociologically (15 credits)

This module focuses on the development of social theory in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The overall objective of this course is to enhance your ability to think theoretically.
Sociology in Action (15 credits)

The module provides an introduction to some of the main areas of research and debate in contemporary sociology.
Social (Justice) Research: Qualitative Approaches (15 credits)

This module introduces you to qualitative research methods in the social sciences and is a core module designed to prepare you with the basic research skills to conduct research in sociology, criminology and media studies.
Academic and Professional Practice (15 credits)

This module introduces you to the key skills required for a successful academic career and helps to prepare you for that career and to see where this will fit with your longer-term life-goals.
Cognitive Approaches to Mind and Behaviour (15 credits)

An introduction to a key area of psychology. You will learn about classic topics in Cognitive Psychology, such as the nature of perception, information processing, attention and memory.
History and Theory of Psychology (15 credits)

Introduces you to some major historical and theoretical issues in psychology, and place modern psychology in its historical context.
Biological Approaches to Mind and Behaviour (15 credits)

All animal behaviour, including that of humans, is determined by the structure and functioning of the central nervous system. This module introduces you to the biological bases of behaviour.
Lifespan Psychology (15 credits)

This module is designed to introduce you to developmental phenomena. In order to gain a broad understanding of psychological processes in general, you need a basic grounding in how such processes originate and change over the lifespan.

Year 2

Study core modules in psychology and social theory. You must take five core modules; you choose one methods modules and two Psychology modules. In year 2 You will have the option to join the Quantitative Methods pathway (leading to a BSc Sociology with Psychology and Quantitative Methods). This pathway includes five core modules (those indicated by an asterisk below); you then choose two Psychology modules; and choose one Sociology elective module.

Contemporary Social Theory (15 credits)

This module focuses on the development of social theory in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
Social Action Project (15 credits)

A sociological engagement with the community to apply learned principles, enhance reflexivity and employability and observe concepts in action.
Understanding Social Change (15 credits)

Introduces you to a range of debates about the ways in which social change is affecting us today, including the emergence of modernity and how this brought about new forms of social inequality, new identities and new patterns of social conflict.
Sociology of Race and Racism (15 credits)

This module will allow you to develop an understanding of sociological theories about race and racism and their application to the analysis of specific social phenomena.
Gender and Society (15 credits)

This module provides an overview of some of the main social processes that shape gender relations in contemporary societies.
Quantitative Analysis of Social Research Data (15 credits)

Develops your understanding of the fundamentals of statistical data analysis. It enables you to apply appropriate statistical methods to data analysis on a relevant topic of your choice and present your results in a meaningful way.
Biological Psychology (15 credits)

This module will introduce you to the biological foundations of behaviour. You will learn about: the electrochemical basis of behaviour, the structure of the nervous system, and the neurophysiological basis of perception, action, memory and learning.
Developmental Psychology (15 credits)

Aims to provide you with knowledge of theory and research in the field of child development, to develop your ability to reflect critically upon the nature of these theories, and to develop your knowledge and critical appreciation of the methods used in developmental psychology.
Social Psychology (15 credits)

This module aims to provide a critical overview of theory and empirical work that draws on classic and well established themes within social psychology, and an understanding and appreciation of contemporary questions in social psychology.
Personality and Differential Psychology (15 credits)

This module aims to cover two of the main concerns in psychology: the nature of human personality and the measurement of individual differences. These two concerns are of both theoretical and applied importance and are, therefore, part of the core training of a psychologist.

Year 3

Draw on the research expertise in the department to study current issues at the cutting edge of current thinking. You must take 45 credits worth of sociology electives and take 30 credits of Psychology modules. You also complete a sociology project/dissertation to showcase your skills and interests.

Sociology Project (45 credits)

This module is designed to expand and compound student knowledge of research methods and sociological theories and support students in the delivery of their third year project.
Judgment and Decision Making (15 credits)

This module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn about an important topic in cognitive psychology from one of the leading researchers in that area. By this means they gain insights into the process of scientific advance at the forefront of research.
Approaches to Autism (15 credits)

This module uses the phenomenon of autism to illustrate ways in which a range of existing psychological theories can be used to increase our understanding of autism, yet can also be modified by the constraints made evident by their application to autism.
Health Psychology (15 credits)

This module aims to introduce you to key debates, theoretical perspectives and research methodologies in health psychology.
Organisational Psychology (15 credits)

This module covers material relevant to two core knowledge areas defined by the Division of Occupational Psychology as performance appraisal and career development and employee relations and motivation.
Introduction to Clinical Psychology (15 credits)

This module provides you with an overview of the field of clinical psychology, therapy, and the different specialities in which Clinical Psychologists work.
Cognitive Development (15 credits)

The aim of the module is to provide you with advanced knowledge and understanding of (a) theories of and (b) research into typical and atypical cognitive development.
Psychological Illnesses, Brain Damage, & Dreams: Malfunctions of Mind (15 credits)

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to learn about a neurobiological perspective on mental illness and altered states of consciousness.
Memory and the Law (15 credits)

This module is about scientific research on memory and its application to the law. The module will provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge of current research and theories in the psychology of memory area while applying it to practical situations involving the law.
Introduction to Counselling Psychology (15 credits)

Provides an overview of various theoretical approaches to counselling psychology and discusses the implications of these to our understanding of human nature, change, and potential. In addition to learning counselling psychology theories, you will evaluate psychotherapy outcome research.
Interrogating Digital Data (15 credits)

This module will take you into a multidisciplinary examination of digital data. The module draws on several fields, including science and technology studies, critical data studies, software studies and feminist data studies to provide students with diverse critical approaches to the way digital data is produced, stored, distributed and applied in our lives.
Digital Cultures and Everyday Life (15 credits)

This module will explore the sorts of roles new communication technologies play in the transformation of cultural, economic, political, and social structures and practices.
Global Migration Process (15 credits)

This module introduces students to a key sociological and global phenomenon. The aim of the module is to allow students to develop a global and in depth understanding of this issue, and some of the economic, political and social factors that shape it.
Broken Britain? Culture, Employment and Society (15 credits)

This course reviews some key features of ‘social breakdown’ discussed in political and policy campaigns. Using current evidence from sociological research in both the UK and abroad it allows us to determine whether Britain is indeed broken.
Work and Workers (15 credits)

The aim of this module is to consider the ways in which work and our understandings of it are changing. It will allow students to reflect on their own experiences of work, while introducing them to key sociological arguments and theoretical developments.
Emotions, Identities and Relationships (15 credits)

In the context of what sociologists regard as a move towards an increasingly globalised, postmodern and individualised society, this module goes on to explore the extent to which these developments have resulted in changes in peoples’ social identities and personal relationships.
Celebrity and Society (15 credits)

The module will provide you with a discussion of the historical roots of celebrity. It will situate the position of celebrities in relation to the socio-economic conditions in society.
Applied Multivariate Analysis* (15 credits)

As part of the module you will be introduced to some of the most commonly used techniques of data analysis. We will discuss the choices that have to be taken at every step of data processing, and their implications.
Education, Skills and the Job Market (15 credits)

Introduces the sociology of work and education and explores the relationship between higher education and work. It also explores the role of education in society and how educational experiences, skills, knowledge and educational credentials relate to the labour market and the work process.
Poverty: What Counts?* (15 credits)

Introduces: the conceptualisation of UK poverty, how to understand and critically evaluate the different approaches to the quantitative measurement of UK poverty, the practical measurement of approaches using SPSS, and, social surveys.
Crime, Culture and the City (15 credits)

This module introduces you to advances in research on urban crime and culture. Moving from a consideration of approximately 150 years of relevant scholarship in its early stages, the module considers cutting-edge developments in research and theory.
Culture, Racisms and Resistance (15 credits)

This module will explore contemporary debates on racisms and resistance with a particular focus on how their dynamics are played out through the realm of culture. You will learn about and be encouraged to critically evaluate key theoretical and policy debates around race, racisms, resistance and culture.
Political Communication (15 credits)

The course introduces you to the role of political communication in the political process, examining various aspects of government information policy and the relation between government, the media and the public.
Interrogating Consumer Culture (15 credits)

This module explores the question of how consumer culture shapes the character of contemporary life. It examines a variety of ways of comprehending the significance of consumer culture.
Criminal Justice in Crisis (15 credits)

This module focuses on emerging developments and key areas of ‘crises’ in the criminal justice policy field.
Sport, the Body and Deviance (15 credits)

The aims of the module are to address knowledge and seek an understanding of the body in the contexts of leisure and deviance with particular reference to violence, drugs, risk, pain and injury.
Micro-Placement (15 credits)

The micro-placement module is an exciting way to gain professional experience via short summer placements with a wide range of London-based employers. The programme aims to give you real-life exposure to the business environment and enhance your employability skills.
Industry Projects (15 credits)

Using knowledge and skills gained through your degree, you will work in small multidisciplinary groups on real-life professional level practical projects for employers, choosing between 5 sector streams, such as policy, finance, community, business, arts and culture.
Mentoring and coaching for leadership (15 credits)

This module sets out to provide BSc students with a structured opportunity to acquire mentoring and coaching skills. Students will be able to carry out mentoring either in an academic setting where stage 3 students mentor stage 1 students, or in a community setting where students mentor pupils in local schools.

Download course specifications:

Teaching and assessment

We teach Sociology through lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group seminars, supported by a personal tutorial system.

Lectures provide commentary and explanation of key content areas. Small-group seminars develop your understanding by inviting you to raise questions and participate in the debate and by providing guidance for further study. Computer labs develop your skills in the production and analysis of data.

You are encouraged to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes as well as to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the subject.

For the third year dissertation, you will receive supervision and the Dissertation module provides you with the opportunity to develop research methods and writing skills.

Assessment methods

Assessment is primarily in the form of coursework (assessed essays, policy and research reports, group presentations and other assignments) and a final-year project.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:

Assessment

Year 1

Written examination: 30%

Coursework: 70%

Year 2

Written examination: 12%

Coursework: 88%

Year 3

Written examination: 34%

Coursework: 66%

Overall workload

Most contact hours will take the form of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. The number will decrease as you progress and you become more able to direct your own learning. Approximate study time, based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:

Workload

Year 1

Scheduled learning: 14%

Independent learning: 86%

Year 2

Scheduled learning: 12%

Independent learning: 88%

Year 3

Scheduled learning: 10%

Independent learning: 90%

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2023/24

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£18,410

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Fee waivers are available for this course.
Means tested support is available for 2023/24 entry.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

This course equips you with a range of transferable skills that are highly prized in graduate roles. You will develop:

the methodological expertise to analyse social and psychological data
the analytical capability to identify and engage with social policy debates
critical thinking skills
professional research and writing skills.

Graduates with these skills can find work in diverse sectors, including:

national and local government
the NHS
education
market research
the not-for-profit sector
human resources
the financial sector
media and communications.

Internship

You are encouraged to take advantage of the excellent internship opportunities that City's central London location provides.

Sociology students have secured placements with a diversity of organisations, large and small, international and local and often situated within minutes of City. They would be working in the following areas:

Media and communications
Crime and justice
Human rights
Migration and refugee support
Mental health.

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Apply now

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £26.50 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £22.

For enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office

Complete the Admissions enquiry form

Call: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2023 should arrive at UCAS between September 2022 and 25^th January 2023. Applications that arrive after 25^th January 2023 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Facilities

Our EEG labs are housed in purpose-built units in the Department of Psychology.

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BSc (Hons) Sociology student insights

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Sociology student Frida talks about the pathways and modules available in the Department for undergraduates and her experiences of study at City. 8 minutes

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