Each year, there are many students who complete the BA (Hons) Sociology course who go on to study a variety of postgraduate courses.
Just some of the future careers for graduates after completing the course include:
If you are someone who is deeply curious about the world around you, and perhaps wants to explore ways to solve the important problems faced by society, then you might already be a sociologist.
Sociology asks the big questions – for example, those about racism, sexism, social class, culture, health, politics and the media. It objectively examines how societies change and what prompts these shifts. It also looks into various aspects of our lives: our work, our education, our relationships, our identities, in addition to the media we consume and the things we buy. Sociology is a particularly valuable subject for individuals who care about others, as it provides a deep understanding of social dynamics, inequalities and cultural influences, fostering empathy and enabling informed, compassionate responses to diverse needs.
Sociologists are also increasingly interested in the internet and the role it has in our lives: why are we addicted to our mobile phones, why do we post things on social media and what does the future hold when we have all this knowledge in our pockets? Ultimately, we want to identify solutions to the problems faced by society and then work towards changing the world for the better. Sociology is critical, engaging, interesting and, more often than not, fun.
You will be introduced to the core concepts that shape the discipline and the key tools with which to undertake social analysis and research. You will ponder all these big sociological questions while developing as a social scientist who is capable of formulating research questions and investigating them independently. This research will help you gain an insight into the city and the wider region – the problems and challenges it faces and the ingenuity and energy with which they are addressed.
Finally, you will refine your future career path, testing your interests and skills by working with local organisations and building your professional network for when you graduate. You will have the opportunity to undertake live research projects with a range of local partners and carry out research that makes a significant difference to people’s lives. This will enable you to graduate not just with a good degree but with a wealth of real-world experience that will help you progress into your desired career.
The courses at University Centre Peterborough are studied in smaller class sizes compared with other universities; a typical class size is under 20 students. This is one reason why social science courses at UCP consistently achieve high student satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey and enjoy above-benchmark classification results.
To view the course specification, click here.
You can view The Open University regulations here.
YEAR 1- Level 4
YEAR 2 - Level 5
YEAR 3 - Level 6
88 UCAS Points from a related subject and 5 GCSE grades C/4 or above including English and Maths.
Mature students or students who do not have the above qualifications can contact our admissions team on 01733 214466 or admissions@ucp.ac.uk to discuss equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience. For more information on EU and overseas qualifications, UCAS, accreditation of prior learning and failure to meet the entry requirements please visit www.ucp.ac.uk
When studying this course at University Centre Peterborough, we will timetable your lectures as two full days a week over two semesters per year (part-time will be one to two full days a week over two semesters per year).
We are able to offer this convenient timetabling to our students as we are a smaller institution so we can timetable our staff and resources more efficiently.
Over the duration of your course, teaching will be delivered by the following methods:
Year one for full-time students (Level 4)
Year two for full-time students (Level 5)
Final year for full-time students (Level 6)
Throughout the duration of your course you will be assessed by the following methods:
Year one for full-time students (Level 4)
Year two for full-time students (Level 5)
Final year for full-time students (Level 6)
Your final degree classification is calculate as an average of all Level 5 and Level 6 credits with the Level 6 credits given twice as much weighting as the Level 5.
Visit our published documents and policies page for The Open University regulations.
There may be additional costs for this course which are not covered by the tuition fee.
As the course is timetabled as full days during the week when studied full-time, this also gives you the flexibility to find a work placement, internship or volunteering opportunity which will improve your employability after you graduate. All students are encouraged to identify work experience to aid their career development.
Paul Wilks is the Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Sociology degree at University Centre Peterborough. He has been teaching at University Centre Peterborough since August 2012 as a lecturer of sociology, criminology and media across several courses.
He has a keen interest in improving pedagogic practice and the most effective teaching methods. He consistently looks to embed innovation into his lectures and seminars as a means to facilitate understanding and application.
His research interests include work, media, technology, social class and politics. Research he has conducted includes critical discourse analysis of UK digital policy, digital exclusion during the rollout of Universal Credit, inclusive working practices in Peterborough and civic engagement of young people in Peterborough.
Previously he worked for a number of years in business and marketing, so organisational studies and the application of critical sociology to work environments is of particular academic interest.
Qualifications:
MA New Media and Society, University of Leicester
BA (Hons) Sociology and English Literature, University Centre Peterborough
Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, Peterborough Regional College
Qualifications
L300
Peterborough
September
The tuition fees for full-time undergraduate students for 25/26 will be £8,500 per year, which is lower compared with many other universities.
Fees for part-time study are pro-rata depending on the number of credits you are studying (i.e. 90 credits per year will be 75% of the tuition fee).
Full-time: 3 years (2 full days a week over two semesters per year)
Part-time: 4 years (1-2 full days a week over two semesters per year)
The Open University
88
Our partnership with The Open University ensures that a significant number of our foundation diplomas and undergraduate degrees are validated by one of the UK’s most respected institutions, enhancing the credibility and recognition of your qualification.
Each course validated by The Open University undergoes rigorous quality assurance checks, guaranteeing that our curriculum meets high academic standards and delivers an exceptional educational experience.
Through our collaboration with The Open University, students at University Centre Peterborough benefit from flexible learning options and expertly designed courses that support both part-time and full-time studies, tailored to accommodate diverse student needs.
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