Sociology

MA

  • Entry year 2026 or 2025
  • Duration Full time 1 year, Part time 2 years
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Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • Engage with leading, socially-engaged academics

  • Develop critical thinking around a wide range of societal issues and concerns

  • World Top 100 QS World University Subject Rankings 2025 (Arts & Humanities)

Why Lancaster?

  • Be inspired by our tutors’ expertise in key areas such as climate change and social inequalities
  • Benefit from the quality and depth of our research which achieves national and global recognition
  • Get involved in using sociology as a way of contributing to positive cultural and social change
  • Prepare for your main dissertation with our innovative mini research group projects
  • Gain valuable transferable skills in critical thinking to help you stand out in the job market

How do social inequalities develop? What is being done to resist and challenge them? What social factors influence climate change and how we respond? If these questions intrigue you, you’re the perfect fit for our MA Sociology.

Forward-thinking research

Our programme lets you focus on a wide range of contemporary issues in society, such as inequality, racism and capitalism. At the same time, you’ll focus on developing your critical skills.

You’ll be part of our ground-breaking research community where some of our academics dedicate their time to climate change, while others focus on finding alternatives to social and economic inequalities. Our committed and socially engaged experts create a vibrant environment where you’ll be able to thrive.

To make sure our programme is inclusive and culturally diverse, we’ve expanded our global focus and are decolonising our curriculum.

Practical project experience

As well as a dissertation, our MA includes a separate module which gives you the opportunity to work in groups on a mini research project. This is a good trial run to develop your social research skills in a safe environment while receiving constructive feedback.

Working together with others like this is a great way to experience different approaches and gives you another practical project to refer to in job interviews.

Careers

The MA is about equipping you with valuable, transferable skills rather than preparing you for a specific job. These are what will help you stand out from your peers.

But here is an idea of some of the careers our MA graduates go on to:

  • Charity sector work or community engagement
  • Social enterprise
  • The caring professions
  • The Civil Service
  • Teaching
  • Specialist recruitment
  • Media and creative industries
  • Human resources, and graduate trainee management

You can expect to have developed strong skills in critical and independent thinking. And this can make all the difference from being hired or not. In fact, feedback shows that employers like sociology postgraduates because of their ability to apply their knowledge and provide unique perspectives on diverse workplace challenges.

Many graduates also use our MA as the springboard for going on to a PhD or further research.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

2:2 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant social science.

English language requirements

We require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test.

We also consider other English language qualifications and if your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Help from our Admissions team

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.

We also have more details on our website about:

Pre-master's programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master's pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master's degrees. Visit INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

Detailed module information for this postgraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.

Fees and funding

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

Details of our scholarships and bursaries for 2026-entry study are not yet available, but you can use our opportunities for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.

Check our current list of scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our  Charter and student policies.