About this course
Study human life in all its cross-cultural complexity with the combined disciplines of sociology and anthropology. You’ll explore a broad range of issues faced by modern societies around the globe, and understand the importance of cultural diversity in our rapidly changing world. Join graduates who have gone on to careers in government, education and research.
Studying sociology (examining the identities, relationships and social practices within our world) and anthropology (the study of human behaviour and societies) will equip you with research expertise and a unique way to consider the impact of social inequality, gender, ethnicity, race, poverty, class differences, and the function of culture in the 21st century.
Your core modules will focus on key areas, including:
research methods in social sciences, including quantitative and qualitative research
sociological and anthropological theories and perspectives
relationships between individuals, groups and institutions in societies around the world
comparative analysis in sociology and cross-cultural analysis in anthropology
You’ll have the option to specialise by studying modules in subjects like:
archaeology
criminology
collective action and social change
migration
ethnography of food and culture
As part of your degree you can:
study abroad for a semester at a partner university in Brazil, Canada or China
make a difference by getting involved with our Social Impact Lab
study modules from other areas, such as languages or psychology
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 244.89 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Highfield campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
A-levels
ABB
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB from two A levels
DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus B from one A-level
DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma
BTEC additional information
There are no additional requirements
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer:
BBB and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
BBB
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from two A levels
DD in the BTEC Diploma plus B grade from one A-level
DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit
Access to HE Diploma additional information
There are no additional requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A2, A2
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 M2 M2 in three Principal subjects
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
ABB from 3 A levels
or
AB from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
There are no additional requirements
European Baccalaureate
76-78% overall
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
You’ll learn the social theories and research methods that form the basis of sociology and anthropology. Your wide range of optional modules are designed to support your career plans and areas of interest, including criminology, belief, migration and the media.
Each year you’ll also have the chance to choose modules from other courses at the University. This will give you valuable opportunities to expand your knowledge and create an impressive CV.
Year 1
Your 5 core modules will introduce you to the basics of sociology and anthropology, including:
Exploring Other Cultures
Foundations in Social and Anthropological Theory
Transformations of the Modern World
Introduction to Quantitative Methods
Understanding Everyday Life
You’ll also choose more modules from options like:
Introduction to Ethnography: Food and Culture
Human Origins
Social Problems and Social Policy
Criminology
Year 2
Next, you’ll take 4 more core modules to advance your existing skills:
Social Theory
Research Methods in The Social Sciences
Qualitative Research: Foundations, Principles and Skills
Cosmology, Ritual and Belief
You’ll also take 4 optional modules from a broad range of subjects, including:
Race and Ethnicity in Society
Gender and Society
Class Structure and Social Inequality
Globalisation, Inequalities and Power
Criminological Psychology
Year 3
You’ll put your research skills into practice by investigating and writing a 10,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choice. You’ll consider the most important processes of social change taking place today in a core module in Comparative Sociology. Your last core module is Sexuality and Intimacy, in which you’ll examine the historical and cultural constructions of human relationships.
Finally, you’ll select 4 more modules from a wide range of options, many of which will be taught in student-led seminars. These include:
The Sociology of Youth
Collective Action and Social Change
Comparing Welfare States - Evolution, Politics & Impact
The Archaeology and Anthropology of Adornment
Anthropology, Film and Representations of the Other
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Modules year 1
Core modules
You must study and pass these core modules in year 1:
- Exploring Other Cultures
- Foundations in Social and Anthropological Theory
- Introduction to Quantitative Methods
- Transformations of The Modern World
- Understanding Everyday Life
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 1:
Modules year 2
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 2:
- Cosmology, Ritual and Belief
- Qualitative Research: Foundations, Principles and Skills
- Research Methods in The Social Sciences
- Social Theory
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 2:
- Children and Society
- Class Structure and Social Inequality
- Crime and Criminal Justice: Historical Perspectives
- Criminological Psychology
- Culture, Communication and Cognition
- Developmental Psychology
- Gender & Society
- Geographies of Wellbeing
- Globalisation, Inequalities & Power
- Introduction to Energy in The Environment
- Migration in a Globalising World
- Perspectives in Criminology
Modules year 3
Core modules
You must study and pass these core modules in year 3:
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 3:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 3:
- Anthropology, Film and Representations of the Other
- Children and Society
- Class Structure and Social Inequality
- Collective Action and Social Change
- Comparing Welfare States - Evolution, Politics & Impact
- Focusing on Families
- Global Crime and Justice
- Issues in Law Enforcement and Social Control
- Migration in a Globalising World
- Penology
- The Archaeology and Anthropology of Adornment
- The Deserving and Undeserving: Victims and Scroungers in Criminology and Social Policy
- The Sociology of Youth
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Support for your studies
You'll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 19%
- Independent study
- 81%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 19%
- Independent study
- 81%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 13%
- Independent study
- 87%
- Placement
- 0%
Course leader
Paul Bridgen is the course leader.
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- dissertations
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 46%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 54%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 30%
- Practical exam
- 3%
- Coursework
- 67%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 8%
- Practical exam
- 5%
- Coursework
- 87%
Careers
Sociologists and anthropologists are experts in social organisation and human behaviour. As a graduate of this course, you’ll have transferable expertise that will be valued across a wide range of roles and sectors.
Our graduates have established careers in:
government
the civil service
social services
education
community development
police and prison service
HR, business and finance
social research
academia
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. 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.
Work in industry
You’ll have the opportunity to take a Year in Employment, which is a paid work placement between your second and third year.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Extra costs you might have to pay
- Approved Calculators
- Optional Visits (e.g. museums, galleries)
- Textbooks
- Stationery
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
- Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 244.89 KB).
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
University life
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
How to apply
When you apply use:
UCAS Course Code: L3L6
UCAS Institution Code: S27
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.