Sociology (Placement Year)

BA Hons

  • UCAS code L301
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 10

    10th for Sociology

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

  • 10

    10th for Sociology

    The Guardian University Guide (2025)

  • 14

    14th for Sociology

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

Why Lancaster?

  • Develop sought-after skills in analysis, communication, research and teamwork that will open the door to a wide range of satisfying careers
  • Gain additional experience and skills by joining a four-year programme and spend twelve months working in the type of organisation that you might aspire to join when you graduate
  • Benefit from training and development opportunities with your placement organisation, while still receiving both academic and pastoral support from Lancaster University
  • Tailor your degree by choosing from a wide range of modules such as social justice, gender, environment, migration, race, criminology and film
  • Learn from expert staff who contribute to national and international policy through advisory groups, media appearances, blogs and speeches
  • Join a team that is committed to making a positive difference in society through activism and research with real-world impact
  • Design your own dissertation topic in an area such as autism and social media or masculinity and food consumption
  • Extend your knowledge and experience through field trips, film screenings and student societies

Sociology is all about exploring the big issues in today’s world. Why do gender inequalities still exist? How does what we consume affect our sense of identity? What will the sociological impact of the cost-of-living crisis be?

Equipping you for the real world

The social problems that governments and organisations have to tackle don’t come packaged in neat subject boxes. So, we don’t believe you should study like that either. Instead, we’ll encourage you to explore several disciplines so that you’re able to see situations from different angles and grasp the bigger picture.

Your experience on placement will further build your skillsets, providing you with practical experience working within an organisation and enhancing your employability. Alongside building your knowledge, we’ll help you to develop the critical skills you need to carry out independent research. Skills which will equip you for any area of life.

A vibrant culture and community

Focus on your personal and professional development in our Experiencing Sociology Programme. You could take part in a social activity such as a trip to Manchester or a quiz. On the skills side, it could involve how to work towards a first-class degree or make the most of careers support.

Beyond this though, we’re about building an open and supportive culture. We’ll let you have your say in developing or revising modules to reflect your interests. Plus, our friendly student ambassadors are on hand to help if you have any questions.

Careers

Our sociology degree will offer you a wide range of opportunities. It’s exciting to see the many diverse and fulfilling careers our graduates go on to.

Our students say the skills they’ve been equipped with helped them to stand out from the competition in the job market. These include being able to analyse a situation, asking the right questions and seeing the bigger picture. All key skills to work out why trends in society might be happening and to empower you to take positive action.

Just some of the sectors you might work in with a BA (Hons) Sociology degree include:

  • 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

And if you decide to follow a research career, those skills will also stand you in good stead.

Whatever route you go down, you can be confident that your degree and the skills it equips you with will open many doors.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring that you gain a highly reputable degree. We are also dedicated to ensuring that you graduate with relevant life and work-based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which offers you the opportunity to complete activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development.

Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

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

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2025/26 home undergraduate entry fees have not yet been set.

Home International
TBC £24,700

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University 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. View our Charter and other policies.

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