Explore the social dynamics that shape, drive and transform society. In modules like ‘Gender, Race, and Class: Social Differentiation and Stratification’ and ‘British Society’, you'll engage with pressing contemporary issues such as social policy, criminal and global justice, inequality, religion and crime.
Explore real world issues
Each year you can choose optional modules allowing you to explore an area like social identities, contemporary world cultures or the mass media’s impact on society and politics in depth, or expand your knowledge across multiple areas.
Watch our British Society module video and explore the complex and intriguing relationship between the state, social and political institutions and human social behaviour.
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Learn from experts
In our small-group seminars, you will learn from active researchers whose work has real impact on the word around us and who have personal experience of investigating and advising on current issues, including:
- the changing nature of the family
- non-violent responses to terrorism
- morality of migration control
- effects of gender-immigration messages
- women’s experiences in prisons
- the politics of climate protection.
Find out more about the recent media coverage of our work.
Meet your Programme Director
Hear from Professor Vicki Harman, the Programme Director of Sociology, and learn how her expertise empowers students to address real-world issues, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare for impactful careers in sociology.
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Your career
We place emphasis on developing your employability and helping you achieve your future career goals. As part of the course, you’ll complete policy briefs, presentations, and research projects helping to develop your transferable skills and confidence.
Sociology students often secure roles in the civil service, teaching, social research, social work, marketing, journalism and the media. Our Careers Centre will help you plan your next steps through developmental workshops, career advice sessions and recruitment events.
Overall, 93% of graduates from the Department of Politics and International Relations are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. (Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22; includes first degree Politics and International Relations responders).
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Transform your future with Sociology
Watch our video and learn how you can enhance your employability during your Sociology degree at the University of Reading.
Placements
You’ll also have the option of a placement year and, depending on optional modules, you may be able to do a shorter summer work placement project. Both opportunities allow you to build your CV and network while contributing towards your degree.
Our excellent links with industry, and the diversity of employers we work with, means that we can help you find placements for a variety of career paths. Many students in the Department are offered jobs by their placement providers once they have completed their placement.
Some of our recent placement providers for the Department include:
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- The Millennial Project (global think tank)
- The Ministry of Defence
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Microsoft
- SAP
- Emperor.
Study abroad
Through our close partnerships with universities, you can study abroad for a year in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong or the USA.
Our department has a dedicated Study Abroad co-ordinator who can help you find the ideal study abroad option.
Learn a language
As a student with us, you'll have the opportunity to study one of 10 languages from beginner's to advanced level.
Find out which languages you can learn on the Languages For All programme
Life in the Department
Learn in an exciting environment where you'll be challenged and supported to thrive and grow as an individual. You'll join a passionate community of students and academics from around the world.
Enhance your employability
Develop sought-after employability skills within modules and gain invaluable work experience through placements. Find out more about the tailored support we provide.
Our research
97% of our research outputs are rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, meaning that the University of Reading is 6th highest in the UK for research outputs (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output). Many of our academics have attracted prestigious funded fellowships and grants for their work.