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Course type: Degree

Degree

Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.

Internationally respected, universally understood.

An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.

Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.

Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Credits: 360

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

BA (Honours) Sociology

: Course code: R57

In a fast-changing world, this degree offers you the chance to explore some of the major forces reshaping social life. You’ll be introduced to distinctively sociological ways of understanding the world and, in the process, will be challenged to think more deeply about contemporary social problems and sociological constructs. You’ll explore the most innovative social theory and the most influential traditions of social analysis. You'll gain practical skills in social research and the ability to plan and conduct an independent sociological project. On graduation, you’ll not only have a well-developed understanding of what sociology is and the nature of society’s groups, cultures and organisations, but will be in a position to make a positive difference to society.

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Key features

Course details

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

How you'll study

Careers

How long it takes

Explore lively, topical and sometimes controversial issues affecting societies at local and global levels.
Get to grips with key sociological questions that deal with social identity, such as class, gender, race and sexuality.
Use social theory to understand changes in work, culture, life and control.
Learn to critically evaluate evidence and understand sociological problems better and think like a sociologist.
Explore a sociological topic of your own interest in depth in the final year.

We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Sociology (W88) that is the same in structure as the first two-thirds of this degree.

Course type

Degree

Credits

360

How long it takes

Full-time study – 3 years

Part-time study – 6 years

Time limit – 16 years

See How long it takes

Study method

Distance learning

Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

Ask a question

This sociology degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

You’ll start Stage 1 with an interdisciplinary social science module followed by an introduction to key sociological ideas and approaches.
Next, in Stage 2, you'll study modules on the digital revolution and social research methods.
Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study a sociological theory module, followed by a module allowing you to undertake your own sociology project.

Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

At Stage 1, you’ll begin with an introduction to the social sciences, giving you a strong grounding in broad sociological ideas and approaches. You'll progress to explore some of the big changes happening in the world and be introduced to the key concepts in sociology. You’ll learn how sociology addresses such things as social divisions and social change, power and inequality, and how identities are shaped by social forces.

Stage 1 modules
Modules	Credits
You'll study both of the following:
Introducing the social sciences (DD102)	60
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You’ll begin Stage 2 with an innovative module exploring the impact of digital technologies – the internet, social media and ‘smart’ devices – on social life. Are they fundamentally changing the world and who we are? How are they creating new inequalities and reproducing old ones? You’ll also learn how social research is conducted. In the process, you’ll focus on themes of class, race and gender.

Stage 2 modules
Modules	Credits
You'll study both of the following:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)	60

Stage 3 (120 credits)

Your final stage of study begins with an investigation of the different ways in which sociologists have ‘imagined’ society. As well as learning about the sociological theories that have dominated the field to date, you’ll explore new horizons in sociology. You’ll complete your degree by designing and completing an extended independent project on a sociological topic of your choice.

Stage 3 modules
Modules	Credits
You'll study both of the following:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)	60
Principles of social research: sociology special project module (D328)	60

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.

Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

Modules	Credits
Stage 1 \| Year 1
You'll study both of the following:
Introducing the social sciences (DD102)	60
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60
Stage 2 \| Year 2
You'll study both of the following:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)	60
Stage 3 \| Year 3
You'll study both of the following:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)	60
Principles of social research: sociology special project module (D328)	60

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That's one 60-credit module each year.

Modules	Credits
Stage 1 \| Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Introducing the social sciences (DD102)	60
Stage 1 \| Year 2
You'll study the following:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60
Stage 2 \| Year 3
You'll study the following:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
Stage 2 \| Year 4
You'll study the following:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)	60
Stage 3 \| Year 5
You'll study the following:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)	60
Stage 3 \| Year 6
You'll complete your degree with the following:
Principles of social research: sociology special project module (D328)	60

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 18 March 2025.

Accessibility

Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our BA (Honours) Sociology uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:

Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
Feedback – continuous assessment includes feedback from your tutor and using this to improve your performance
Finding external/third-party material online
Group-work

Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these on individual module descriptions. Visit our Disability support page to learn about our services.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

Knowledge and understanding.
Cognitive skills.
Practical and professional skills.
Key skills.

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

If you’ve already completed some university-level study somewhere else, you may be able to count it towards this qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.

It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.

You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

Classification of your degree

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our BA (Honours) Sociology.

The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stages 2 and 3.

You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

International recognition

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

BA (Honours) Sociology

Compare this course

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

Even though there are no entry requirements, there are some skills that you'll need to succeed. If you're not quite ready for OU study we can guide you to resources that prepare you, many of which are free.

Answer a few quick questions to check whether you're ready for study success

How much time do I need?

Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner

Preparing for study with an Access module

Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.

You’ll also benefit from:

feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
support from a dedicated team throughout your study
detailed written feedback on your work.

The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:

Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.

Qualification	Total cost at campus university*	Total cost at The Open University**	Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree	£28,605	£23,352	£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education	£19,070	£15,568	£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education	£9,535	£7,784	£1,751 (18%)

Honours Degree

Total cost at campus university* £28,605

Total cost at The Open University** £23,352

Saving with The Open University £5,253 (18%)

Diploma of Higher Education

Total cost at campus university* £19,070

Total cost at The Open University** £15,568

Saving with The Open University £3,502 (18%)

Certificate of Higher Education

Total cost at campus university* £9,535

Total cost at The Open University** £7,784

Saving with The Open University £1,751 (18%)

*Based on maximum chargeable fees for 25/26 academic year.

**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.

How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
details of each assignment and their due dates
a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

Tutor support

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
guide you to learning resources
support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
If a module has an in-person exam (that you must take at one of our exam centres) or is invigilated online, we’ll make this clear in the module description.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.
Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
free Microsoft Office 365 software
IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Skills for career development

This degree will enable you to formulate and investigate sociological questions; build arguments; assess the methods used to generate evidence and research; and analyse, interpret and evaluate a wide range of information. You'll learn how to communicate effectively with different audiences (e.g. through blogs and presentations); work with others; and give and receive peer feedback. You'll also have the chance to devise and conduct your own project and will develop substantial skills in time-management, self-reflection and self-motivation, and the ability to work independently.

Career relevance

A degree in sociology can lead to employment across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Businesses, public sector, and other organisations increasingly deal with social issues, and value the skills that sociology graduates provide. Consequently, your degree will be relevant to a wide range of professions, some of which are listed below. You can also use your degree to pursue further study.

Please note, this degree does not guarantee entry to the careers listed, which may require specialist qualifications to enter. However, it may help you gain those qualifications and enhance your prospects for progression once you are employed.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:

social researcher
human rights and other advocacy NGOs
criminal justice worker
voluntary or third sector work
local government officer

non-governmental organisations and aid workers
community development worker
social worker
civil servant

secondary school teacher
journalist
trades union official
university administrator.

You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.

3-year degree

You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.

You'll study 120 credits a year.
You'll need 32–36 study hours per week.

For a year-by-year breakdown of modules, take a look at our 3-year degree pathway in the Course details section.

6-year degree

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

You'll study 60 credits a year.
You'll need 16–18 study hours per week.

For a year-by-year breakdown of modules, take a look at our 6-year degree pathway in the Course details section.

Register for this course

Start dates

Oct 2025 - Registration closes 11/09/2025
Feb 2026 - Registration closes 08/01/2026

Credit transfer: apply by 14/08/2025

Credit transfer: apply by 04/12/2025

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