Why Study with Us?
ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳’s Department of Sociology was the first to be established in the UK, founded in 1904, and we host a leading peer-reviewed academic journal in sociology, The British Journal of Sociology, established at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ in 1950. We expand our vital commitments to the role of sociology and the social sciences in forwarding public debate at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ through our strong links to other ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ departments, centres and institutes, including our direct association with ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳’s International Inequalities Institute. Through theoretically rich and empirically rigorous research, we forge a dynamic engagement with our discipline that encompasses a critical and international outlook and incorporates interdisciplinary exchange. Offering ten programmes across Undergraduate, Taught Postgraduate and PhD, students can expect to study across a comprehensive and diverse range of sociological matters. Students benefit from a vibrant international student body and will study with world-leading faculty who engage with activists, policy makers, community groups, regulators and government bodies, both within the department and the wider School.
Our Teaching
We are committed to providing all students with a collegial and welcoming educational experience that fosters intellectual curiosity and productive engagement with the changing social world. Students can expect to be taught through a combination of engaging lectures, seminars, classes and workshops, and will be supported in their studies by a virtual learning environment, recommended readings and self-directed study. Lectures are led by both our academic staff and guest lecturers, with classes and seminars creating space for students to develop their knowledge, debate the topics and engage with both staff and fellow classmates.
Our Research
We strive to conduct innovative research in key areas of expertise, including: economic sociology; politics and human rights; social inequalities; social studies of knowledge, culture and technology; and urban sociology. We are politically engaged scholars, who combine our research with our worldly concerns, and we foster strong research collaborations across disciplines and with non-academic partners. We also co-produce research with partners and the people involved in the research, so that the research we do matters to those who are being asked to participate. We are a lively department, with extensive public events, workshops, conferences and collaborations with internal and external partners and public audiences.
Our Students
Creating a home to almost 500 students each academic year, our department welcomes students from all corners of the globe who join our vibrant student community. Our students are key members of the department and not only engage with us through teaching and office hours, but also as student academic representatives, student academic mentors, research interns and peer support representatives. Following graduation, our students go into a wide variety of professions including research, politics, public administration, social and health services, law, publishing, marketing, management and much more.