BSc/BSc (Hons) Public Sociology

You will:

• Study a range of modules that will provide you with a thorough grounding in the key concepts, theories and schools of thought in sociology, as well as some modules in psychology.
• Develop a sound understanding of the historical development and contemporary applications of sociological knowledge. Specifically, this will include how sociological knowledge can help us to make sense of the public issues and concerns which affect the communities within that we live, as well as understanding the philosophical debates that underpin sociological interpretations of the world around us.
• Focus on enhancing a wide range of transferable skills, paying particular attention to improving your interpersonal and presentation skills, effective reading and writing, analytical thinking and critical reflection, as well as a sustained focus on the development of your research skills.

Modules

• Introduction to Academia and the Sociological Imagination
• Foundations of Psychology
• Introduction to Psychology
• Diversity, Identity and Wellbeing
• Methods of Investigation

You will: 

• Continue to study a range of modules that will provide you with a thorough grounding in the key concepts, theories and schools of thought in sociology.
• Continue to develop your indepth understanding of a broad range of substantive debates within the discipline of sociology with a particular focus on engaging with public issues and groups.
• Refine your knowledge of sociological theory, research design and implementation, social movements and global change, sociologies of gender and sexuality, sociologies of liberation, and social policy and politics.
• Have the opportunity (subject to availability) to study for one semester at a university overseas. For more information, see Exchanges and Study Abroad.

Modules

• Social Inquiry – Philosophy and Design
• Social and Developmental Psychology
• Psychological Literacy
• Production and Consumption of Culture
• Engaged Sociology

You will: 

• Continue to develop an indepth understanding of a broad range of substantive debates within the discipline of sociology with a particular focus on engaging with public issues and groups.
• Continue to refine your knowledge of sociological theory, research design and implementation, social movements and global change, sociologies of gender and sexuality, sociologies of liberation, and social policy and politics.

Modules

• Current Debates in Sociology
• Sociology of Liberation
• Interaction and Social Order
• Poverty and Social Exclusion
• Social Research – Theory and Practice
• Changing World: Social Movement and Global Change

You will:

• Work closely with a member of academic staff to conduct your own independent research project in  in which you will be encouraged to bring together your knowledge of sociological theories and concepts, as well as refining your research skills.
• You will develop an ability to understand the relationship between complex sociological theory, practical research and contemporary public issues and concerns. 
• Anything else specific to this year? 

Modules

• Dissertation
• European Social Policy and Politics
• Options may include: Gender Justice and Violence: Feminist Approaches/ Queer Theory, Gender and Sexual Politics; Sociology of Scotland/ Public Sociology Education

You will be taught in lectures, seminars and practical workshops. Outside these timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by essays and a variety of other ways including written reports, presentations and groupwork.

Yes. The Year Two tab of this page provides more information. 

You will change. You will grow. You will graduate with a wide range of knowledge, skills and aptitudes. You will have a richly developed sense of social responsibility and, hopefully, a burning desire to make a powerful, positive change to the world around you. Previous graduates are now shaking things up in social and community work, consumer and social research, public policy development, teaching, academia, marketing and human resource management.

Scottish Higher: Standard - BBCC, Minimum - BCCC

A Level: CCD

Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 26 points

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5

Required: English required and Maths preferred at Nat 5/GCSE

Mature/Access: Visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page for more information. 

We welcome applications from mature students with relevant qualifications and /or experience.

Direct Entry:

Year Two

• HNC in a related subject with B in the graded unit
• Scottish Higher: BC at Advanced Higher in relevant subjects plus BB at Higher
• A Level: BBB in relevant subjects

Year Three

• HND in a related subject with CB in the graded units

For details of related HNC and HND courses, visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page. 

Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.

You can study this course as an associate student completing your first year at Newbattle Abbey College or West Lothian College.

For more information, please visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

QMU. More information is in the ‘External Review’ section of the ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’ page.