Sociology is a scientific discipline concerned with the explanation of social life and human behaviour of all kinds. It equips students with the skills to understand the breadth of social practice, ranging from the global (including conflict, security, climate change and social justice) to individual experiences (such as the body, beliefs and mental health). Through theoretical tools and methodological techniques, Sociology at Queen's provides students with a unique way of interacting with the world as critical and engaged citizens.
The modules in the BA Sociology are spread across three main areas of interest:
Risk and Social Inequalities
Conflict and Security
Lifecourse: Family, Childhood and Health
Sociology Degree highlights
Global Opportunities
- We have a solid tradition of students undertaking Study Abroad through Erasmus schemes (with universities in Barcelona, Lund in Sweden, Paris, Munich and Dusseldorf in Germany, Rotterdam and Nijemegen in the Netherlands, Jyvaskyla in Finland) as well as visiting international students who take Sociology modules, particularly those connected to research expertise for which Queen's is renowned (e.g. Conflict Transformation and Social justice, Childhood, Public Health etc.)
Career Development
- Opportunity to develop substantive knowledge and research skills through collaboration in Northern Ireland's vibrant community sector, including field trips, summer work placements, internship opportunities, guest lectures and workshops
World Class Facilities
- Queen's is an historic campus university in the heart of Belfast, ranked one of the most affordable universities in the UK.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- The Sociology programme meets the highest standard in Ireland and the UK for undergraduate training in research methods and their application. We are one of only 15 Q-Step Centres in the UK.
- Sociology is taught by a group of internationally recognised sociologists who specialise in areas such as family, childhood, religion and conflict.
- We offer a high quality, supportive, student-centred learning experience in a top Russell Group University as evidenced by our excellent NSS student satisfaction rates.
- We are a research-intensive university, which means that what you are taught is directly linked to the latest discoveries and innovations. Our programme directly relates to the university's strategic research priorities, for example, the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security & Justice
Student Experience
- The Lockheed Prizes are awarded annually to students for the Bachelor of Arts degrees taking single, major or joint subjects in Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work.
- You will be assigned a personal tutor during induction. This member of academic staff will provide one-to-one support and mentoring throughout your studies at Queen's.We offer a peer-mentoring scheme for Sociology students, with the support of staff and the Centre for Educational Development.
Anna Savage
BA Sociology graduate (2017)
Statistical Officer, NISRA
Careers
Career Prospects
Introduction
Your degree in Sociology will equip you with a range of transferable skills that are highly sought in a wide variety of fields in the contemporary jobs market. Sociology graduates are found in a range of occupations, including management, communication, marketing, sales, retail, journalism, media research and publishing, youth and community work, charities and the voluntary sector, healthcare, social and civil services, and education. Sociology is also a good fit for a variety of careers in business: it develops the ability to gather and evaluate evidence, to engage in critical analysis, and to understand and explain complex problems and situations.
Our graduates have worked for organisations beyond and within Northern Ireland, such as:
•Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
•Belfast Child
•Johnsons Solicitors
•PricewaterhouseCoopers
•Lloyds Banking Group
•Barnardos
•Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Additional Awards Gained
Prizes and Awards
Lockheed Employees' Prizes are financed from a benefaction to the University by the employees of the Lockheed Overseas Corporation, USA, who worked in Northern Ireland during the second world war.
This prize may be awarded annually to students for the Bachelor of Arts degrees taking single, major or joint subjects in Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work.
Top performing students are regularly awarded prizes and scholarships. A BA Sociology student was a Global Winner of the Undergraduate Awards (2017), the world's leading undergraduate awards programme which recognises top undergraduate work.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.