Overview

    Study for a BSc Sociology and Social Science degree - a timely, engaging, interdisciplinary course, which will equip you with invaluable knowledge and critical skills for the workplace, and the journey towards a just and sustainable future.

    You will study a course that is centrally shaped by sociology, but also draws extensively on related disciplines - in particular criminology and politics. Other areas of study including social policy, philosophy, and social psychology will further broaden your knowledge. You will be encouraged to combine analytical thinking and real-world research to help you answer enduring questions about the so-called human condition, as well as the problems our modern society faces. All of this will provide you with the analytical, digital, and critical skills needed in a changing world and workplace.

    Our distinctive degree explores the complex, shifting relationships between individuals and societies, with a focus on topics such as: crime; social and generational change, identity and community, inequality and exclusion, sustainability, justice and power, work and wellbeing.

    What's more, the Sociology and Social Science team at CCCU has a strong reputation for teaching which is informed by the latest research and the needs of the wider world, including workplaces. You will be encouraged to develop the ability to apply social scientific knowledge and understanding to real-world issues. Your breadth of knowledge will be enhanced through guest lecturers, live briefs, and research reports. Alongside this, work shadowing, volunteering, and reflexive writing will improve your job prospects.

    You will graduate with an array of attributes relevant both to a wide range of dynamic possible careers, and for active global citizenship.

    We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.

    Learning sociology is all about gaining an insight into the social world. We learn about topics and vividly see them outside the classroom which enables me to use my own experiences to understand why certain social phenomena occur. Sociology really is a subject in which you can shape your learning and understanding around personal interests.
    Alice

    Why study BSc Sociology and Social Science at CCCU?

    Entry requirements

    Qualification type

    Grades

    A Levels

    BBC

    BTEC

    DMM

    Access

    15 Distinctions and 30 Merits

    International Baccalaureate

    29 Points

    Combinations

    A combination of qualifications totalling 112 UCAS points

    Find out more information about entry requirements.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements for this course, please contact our Course Enquiry Team.

    International students

    Find more information on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) requirements on our website.

    Depending which country you're from, there may be specific entry requirements. Check your country to see if this is applicable to you.

    Module information

    We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Alongside the modules below you will choose from our new curriculum that will help you achieve student success, engage with contemporary topics and work with industry or the community.

    As well as the core modules, you will also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. This will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module and staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular option module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.

    Core/optional modules

    *Modules subject to approval

    How you’ll learn

    You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, supervisions and directed studies. The precise mode of delivery, and the number of contact hours you will have per week, will vary depending on the modules you take in each semester.

    You will be expected to attend the taught sessions and contribute to group activities. Discussions in smaller groups will enable you to develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will meet with your academic personal tutor.

    You will also be expected to undertake specific preparatory tasks or exercises before taught sessions, often including viewing prerecorded lectures. To ensure you are able to do this you will have access to a wide range of resources through the University Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and the Library (books, journal articles, and media resources). You will be supported in making good use of these.

    When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through independent self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments / examinations, workshops and seminars.

    Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class. For some assignments, you might undertake independent research. For this, you will work under the supervision of a member of the course team, and you will meet with your supervisor regularly.

    Teaching is structured to allow for flexibility. Your actual contact hours will depend on the optional modules you select. However, typically you will have 9-12 hours of structured contact time per week. For every hour of contact, you'll be expected complete two to three hours of independent study (e.g. research, reading, completing tasks set by the lecturer, preparation for presentations or class discussion etc.). 

    The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics, with a range of expertise and experience.

    Almost all the teaching on the course is undertaken by experienced members of staff who are either Fellows of the Higher Education Academy, or are working towards Fellowship. They are research-active and have experience in delivering research-informed teaching.

    Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.

    Studying sociology has never been more valuable. We are living through times of enormous change and uncertainty (social, cultural, economic, political and ecological) and Britain is more divided than ever before. Our dedicated team will help you make sense of these changes and divisions, and their impact on individuals, communities and government.
    Prof Sarah CantEmeritus Professor in Sociology

    How you’ll be assessed

    The Sociology and Social Science team views assessment as part of the overall learning experience and so places an emphasis on providing frequent, detailed, and personalised feedback. The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Ongoing assessment and verbal feedback of your performance in group work, seminar discussions, tutorial sessions when requested, and written feedback on coursework will be used as a means of formative assessment.

    Formal or 'summative' assessment takes place during and at the end of each module. A range of assessment methods are used and these vary between modules. The assessment methods include: essays, workbooks, annotated bibliographies, reflective logs, group presentations, poster presentations, reports, portfolios, dissertations, and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

    The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. For each year, approximately 10% of the sociology course will be assessed by written exams.

    Your future career

    Through studying Sociology and Social Science with us you will acquire a variety of transferable skills such as critical and analytical thinking, working with others, effective written and spoken communication, research, time and task management, digital skills, self-reflection, and an appreciation of the impact of social factors on people’s lives. These skills are valued by a range of employers.

    Over the course of your studies we will arrange a number of careers related events, providing you the opportunity to engage and network with alumni, employers, and organisations relevant to a Sociology and Social Science degree pathway. We are particularly proud of our alumni and the work they have done since attaining their degrees. Frequent contact with them will, with our support, help you to work towards a future that is as successful as it is fulfilling. Through the course curriculum you will also have numerous opportunities to volunteer and gain relevant work experience.

    Our graduates have entered such sectors and occupations as:

    • Teaching (primary, secondary, and further education)
    • Social and youth work
    • The Probation Service
    • Local and Central Government
    • Human Resource Management
    • Social research
    • Managerial roles in the charitable sector
    • Roles within the Police Force
    • Journalism

    Throughout your time studying us you will have access to our Careers and Enterprise team who offer a wide range of services and support to help you kick start your career and meet your goals.

    The Citizenship and the Community module really did help to make me more employable by widening my understanding of the world, and giving me practical experience which directly translates into employable skills. Throughout the interview process for my job, the fact that I had the practical applications of the volunteering gave me confidence, and I believe my employers were very impressed when I told them about the Citizenship module and the experience I gained from it.
    AndySociology graduate

    Fees

    The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:

      UK Overseas
    Full-time £9,535 £15,500

    Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.

    Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.

    Home (UK) Fees

    The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.

    Overseas/International Fees

    Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.

    Regulated by the Office for Students

    The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.

    Apply now

    I would like to start
    I would like to study

    Duration:

    3 years

    UCAS code:

    L300

    Location(s):

    Canterbury
    Apply via UCAS

    *We are advertising this course as ‘subject to approval.’ When we add new courses or update existing courses, we advertise the course as ‘subject to approval’. We do this to let you know the University still needs to agree to run the course. It is rare for a course not to gain approval, but it is not guaranteed. There may be changes to course and module titles, content and assessment, but we will tell you about these if there is a change. You can still apply to study a course subject to approval. We have prepared some questions and answers to tell you more.