BASociology (Year Abroad)

Study location	United Kingdom, Birmingham
Type	Bachelor courses, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years
Study language	English
Awards	BA
Course code	L30A

Entry qualification	High school / secondary education (or higher) The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Language requirements	English IELTS: 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill) CAE: 176 (with a minimum of 169 in each skill)

Other requirements	At least 1 reference(s) must be provided. A motivation letter must be added to your application.

More information	birmingham.ac.uk/..ogy-year-abroad-ba.aspx

Overview

Interested? To learn more about this study programme, entry requirements and application process, please contact one of our consultants in a country nearest to you.

Programme structure

Modules in the first year

In your first year you will be introduced to degree level sociology through Social Worlds and the Sociological Imagination, gain an understanding of stratification through Social Divisions, and learn the basics of research design and methods. In addition, you can select optional courses from a wide range of modules in or outside the department (for example, languages, politics, psychology, economics, social policy, history or African studies).

Core modules

The Sociological Imagination
Social Research I
Introduction to Social Divisions
Sociology of Everyday Life

Optional modules

Introduction to Social Policy
Introduction to Criminology
Philosophies of Welfare
Social Science, Social Problems and Social Policy
Widening Horizons: an opportunity to take an introductory module from other disciplines across the University

Modules in the second year

The second year builds on these foundations by developing your understanding of Modern Sociological Theory, and introducing debates about the nature of Global Societies. You can choose a specialist option in either Gender and Sexuality or Ethnic Relations, and receive more advanced methods training in data analysis and preparation for your final year dissertation. In addition, you can again choose from a range of optional modules in or outside the department.

Core modules (20 credits)

Modern Sociological Theory
Social Research II
Optional modules

At least one of the following must be taken:

Gender and Sexuality
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
Poverty, Class and Inequality
Choose your remaining credits from the following:

Self and Society
Media and Society
Global Societies
Disability and Social Policy
Comparative Social Policy
Managing Health and Social Care
Terror, Threat and Security
Punishment in a Global Context
Global Education: Issues, Opportunities, Futures
Education, Policy and Social Justice
Housing and Communities

Year 3

Your third year will be spent abroad at a university in the EU or elsewhere in the world. After completing your year abroad, you will return for your fourth and final year to the same BA degree programme.
There are a wide range of countries and universities from which you can choose.

As well as a range of European universities, you may also choose from a range of current institutional partners worldwide. These include countries in which a variety of languages are spoken, including universities at which courses are taught in English. In recent years, students in the department have taken their year abroad in Australia, Canada, Denmark and the United States, among others.

Modules in the final year

The focus of the third year is your independent, supervised dissertation which brings together your research skills on a project defined by you. Your training in key sociological ideas is completed with a module on Contemporary Social Theory, and you can then specialise in the areas of the discipline that interest you most. Our teaching staff, who are active researchers, run options in their own specialist fields including the family, political sociology, celebrity culture, the sociology of technology, religion and society and ethnicity and migration.

If you want to take advantage of a unique opportunity to be supported with a work placement opportunity as part of your final year, this course includes the opportunity to undertake a ‘Professional Development’ module as part of your optional module choices.

Core modules

Dissertation
Contemporary Social Theory
Optional modules
Choose three from the following:

Political Sociology
Technology and Society
‘Freedom’, Control and Critique
Sociology of Success and Fame
Sociology of Film
Migration and Super Diversity
Your Money and Your Life
Harmful Societies
Sociology of Personal Life
Divided Publics
Doing or Not Doing God? Religion, Policy and Politics
Crime and the City
Sociology of Health and Illness
Children as Citizens
Gender and Education
Quantitave Analysis I and Quantitave Analysis II
Prospects for Social Policy in the UK
Professional Development Module

Career opportunities

Our graduates enter a variety of occupations including management training, social and market research, policy and campaigns, the media, law and teaching. The Careers team offer drop in one-to-one advice sessions, web resources and workshops on developing a CV and getting the most out of a social science degree. They invite speakers from different organisations, and Birmingham Sociology graduates, to discuss their career experiences and offer advice on navigating the jobs market.