Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

BA (Hons) Sociology

  • Placement year available
How to apply Come to an Open Day

Introduction to our Sociology degree

Hear from Senior Lecturer Dr Rachel Ryder

Studying Sociology at ARU

Delve beneath the surface of everyday life and modern societies and prepare for careers including community development, policy making and social care with our Sociology degree in Cambridge.

Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023 logo

Study at an award-winning university

We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

On this degree you'll explore what shapes societies and individual lives, the relations that connect individuals, groups and institutions within societies and those that the divide them.

As a BA (Hons) Sociology student at ARU, you’ll look at the work of classical sociologists, such as Weber and Marx, and contemporary issues such as individualism and global communication and how they are changing human behaviour.

You’ll be able to specialise in areas that interest you too – such as the impact of intoxicants on societies, cybercrime, social control, sport or nature and society – through our range of optional modules.

Our Sociology courses ranked 18th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2024.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Entry Requirements

Loading...

Entry requirements are not currently available, please try again later.

Fees and Paying for University

Facilities and showcase

Hands-on learning

All our BA (Hons) Sociology students have the opportunity to:

Outstanding student support

Join our student community in Cambridge and:

  • benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
  • learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
  • access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.

Take a closer look

Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us.

Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.

Alternatively, take a guided tour and meet our students.

Careers

Our BA (Hons) Sociology degree will equip you with skills in independent, creative, critical and analytical thinking. Previous students have gone on to careers in journalism and the media, business administration and management, health management, the civil service, teaching, social care, social research, the police, prison and probation services.

Specialist modules in years 2 and 3 will help you tailor the course towards your career goals with topics including cybercrime, drinking cultures, health, violence, feminism, and sport.

You could also learn more about sociology, develop a specialism or start an exciting career in research with our MA Sociology. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules. Organisations such as Soroptimist have provided live briefs for our past students, giving them a taste of professional life.

You will need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships or volunteering or through our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this experience on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you that all important edge.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Amy's story

Convinced by a college trip to ARU

BA (Hons) Sociology student Amy Noakes talks about what convinced her to study at ARU, and why she loves studying sociology with us.

Watch Rachel's 60 second seminar

Pints replaced by alcopops

Course Leader Dr Rachel Ryder explains how, following the emergence of rave in the 1980s, traditional pubs had to adapt to attract young drinkers, creating a whole new drinking culture.

Apply now for BA (Hons) Sociology

Life in Cambridge

Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.

Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our Cambridge

Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

Foundation year available

This course offers a foundation year – an extra year of study to help you prepare for university, and build your knowledge and skills.

More about foundation years

Loading...