About this course
Explore global social issues and discover fundamental concepts in global sociology and how these relate to contemporary social problems.
On this master’s course you’ll learn:
- a range of sociological theories and concepts
- conceptual and theoretical debates in sociology
- the impact of global social inequalities in different locations
- an understanding of current global social challenges and potential responses
- the ability to design and conduct independent research
Flexible study
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
- a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) - you'll usually study for around 15 weeks and will not need to write a dissertation
- a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) - you'll usually study for around 30 weeks and will not need to write a dissertation
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Your course leader is Dr Rebecca Taylor, Associate Professor in Social Policy. Visit our Staff Profile pages to read more about Dr Rebecca Taylor's work.
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in a social sciences subject, such as:
- sociology
- social policy
- social administration
- criminology
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
The programme is studied over 12 months full–time. The taught part of this course is made up of 30 study weeks divided into 2 semesters.
Once you’ve successfully completed the taught element of the course you’ll undertake a 3 month period of supervised research for your master’s dissertation.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules :
Designing Research: Epistemology and Methodology in Practice
This module explores the practical challenges of designing and conducting research. It provides a process focused overview of the stages of a research project from reviewing literature, defining research questions, and identifying appropriate methods of q...
Dissertation
On this module you will undertake an empirical research study on a topic of your choice relevant to your programme. You will collect and analyse data and report on your findings critically reflecting on and evaluating your methods . This process will enab...
Global Sociology
The global nature of economic, social and cultural relationships and processes has been a major theme of sociological analysis over recent decades. Debates have centred on the content and extent of globalisation, its drivers and consequences for global in...
Qualitative Methods
This module aims to provide postgraduate students with an understanding of the role and application of qualitative methods within social science research. The module will include a focus on the issues that arise in the design, generation, analysis and ev...
Social Challenges: Local and Global Action
Contemporary debate in social theory includes the claim that globalising processes have created a world that is chaotic, disorganized, and difficult to control. Exacerbated by the rise of digital technology/communications and the environmental crisis, thi...
You must also choose from the following modules :
AI in Justice Systems: Theory and Research
This thought-provoking course introduces students to the AI technologies, and more broadly, the algorithms currently informing criminal justice policy and practice in contemporary justice systems. Theory and research from the fields of criminology and soc...
Ageing, Health and Well-being
This module aims to provide you with foundation of knowledge in the areas of health and well-being in later life and the impact of inequalities. You will be introduced to key issues and literature concerning the nature of ageing, quality of life, and well...
Applied Statistical Modelling
This is a postgraduate module in applied statistical modelling which is designed to equip students with highly sought after employability skills in data analysis. The module will cover a range of techniques, starting with introductory statistics and stati...
Comparative Public Administration
This course provides an introduction to comparative public administration by looking at shared theoretical approaches and common problems. It does not provide descriptions of the system of public administration in any single country. The course addresses ...
Critical Issues in Global Health: Concepts and Case Studies
This module provides a comprehensive overview of current issues and challenges in global health. Using relevant case studies, it will discuss trends and determinants of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as assessing possible effec...
Cyber Crime, Insecurity and the Dark Web (Cyber Security)
This module is designed to introduce you to the human dimension of cybercrime and cyber security. It is not coming from a technical perspective, but instead a critical criminological approach is applied to the topic. This means that we will be questioning...
Demographic Change, Ageing & Globalisation
This module provides you with a foundation of knowledge on demographic change and population ageing in a cross-cultural, global perspective. The module views ageing through an international development lens, focusing on less economically developed countri...
Global Terrorism and Political Violence
The module will introduce you to some of the central themes and concepts in the study of terrorism, extremism, and political violence – spanning history, geographies, and the ideological spectrum.
International Criminal Justice: Criminological and Psychological Perspectives
This core interdisciplinary module sets the foundations for postgraduate study on international criminal justice by providing two key elements. Firstly, it provides a comprehensive overview of criminal justice principles and processes. Secondly, it introd...
International Organised Crime
This core module sets the foundations for postgraduate study on international organised crime. It introduces students to the main principles underlying the emergence of organised crime, its history, and contemporary key theoretical and policy issues. Part...
International Social Policy
This module will review and discuss the state of the art in research on social welfare and human well-being and the one, and on social policies addressing these issues on the other hand. In the first part students will explore how previously dominant econ...
Perspectives in Gerontology
This module introduces you to the study of Gerontology as an interdisciplinary subject. You will be familiarised with the main theoretical perspectives and approaches to the study of ageing and the life course. You will examine the causes and consequences...
Understanding Population Change
This module is an introduction to the substantive concepts of demography, how populations change and grow or shrink, and the transitions that populations make in various stages of their development. An introduction to the past, present and future world po...
Learning and assessment
Learning
On successful completion of this programme, you'll have understanding of:
- a range of sociological theories and concepts
- current debates about global social challenges
- global variations in social diversity and division, and processes of social change
- assessing how current challenges within the field can be applied to research
- judging research techniques to see if they can be applied to the conduct of social research
As well as lectures and tutorials your learning may include:
- individual reading
- seminar discussions
- presentations
Assessment
We’ll assess you through:
- essays
- group projects
- oral presentations
- a dissertation
Dissertation
We’ll assign you a individual supervisor, who will assist you with every aspect of your dissertation. You will be entitled to a set number of supervisory meetings at which you will be able to draw on the supervisor’s research expertise to develop your ideas.
Academic Support
We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers and employability
Employability skills
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Self-management
- Confidence
- Communication
- Creativity
- Networking
- EDI leadership
- Adaptability
- Problem solving
- Resilience
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
Download skills overview
Career pathways
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
charitable,
counselling and voluntary organisations,
Law Firms,
local and central government,
media companies,
marketing and PR firms,
the NHS,
police and probation services,
schools,
colleges and universities,
social and market research organisations,
International and Intergovernmental Organisations.
- Advice worker
- Community development worker
- University lecturer
- Housing manager
- Marketing executive
- Police officer
- Policy officer
- Secondary school teacher
- Social researcher
- Youth worker
- Charity officer
- Family support worker
- Human resources manager
- International aid worker
- Journalist
- Probation officer
- Public relations officer
- Social worker
- Special educational needs coordinator
- Business development manager
- Engagement and recovery worker
- Graduate recruiter
- Local authority officer
- International climate strategy programme officer
- Policy and research assistant
- Marketing executive
- Social researcher
Work experience opportunities
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.
Careers services and support
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV and interview skills and workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £25,400.
Deposit
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship
A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Economic, Social and Political Sciences.
Find out more about the Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
Southampton Sociology and Criminology Postgraduate International Scholarship
Two scholarships of £5,000 each are available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Sociology and Criminology.
Find out more about the Southampton Sociology and Criminology International Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
- Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
- Submit your application.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
UK students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
International students
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to submit two academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000