University Of Canterbury Sociology

Qualifications

Overview

If you want to study how the modern world came to be the way it is, what is happening and why, and what alternatives are possible, Sociology is for you. Sociology is a craft, a vocation, and to study and engage with the subject can be a transformative experience; once you have acquired a sociological imagination you will never be able to see the world in quite the same way again.



Sociologists investigate the structure of societies, organisations, groups, and everyday lives. Their subject matter is as varied as society itself.

Why study Sociology at UC?

  • UC is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world for Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
  • We teach courses that deal with subjects as diverse as crime and justice, cities, religion, health and medicine, gender and sexualities, death, migration, and much more.
  • We want you to graduate with a Sociology degree that has value out there in the real world so we make sure you learn how to apply Sociology’s core methods to particular areas of life. Our courses are hands-on and we give our students the opportunity to do meaningful research, to create and analyse evidence, and to draw their own conclusions. You can apply the skills of sociological study to many careers. Our graduates go on to work in a variety of jobs in local and central government, the health sector, the police, teaching, and NGO’s to name a few.

Recommended preparation

Sociology is increasingly being taught in schools but this background is not necessary for entry into first-year courses at university. All that is required is an enquiring mind, an openness to looking at things from different points of view, and an interest in what people do to and with each other.

Mature students are often able to bring a wealth of life experience to the study of Sociology. This is a discipline in which the life experiences of both young and mature students count.

Courses

UC offers a major and a minor in Sociology as part of the Bachelor of Arts.

You can also study this subject as a minor within the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.



Sociology was one of the first established social science subjects at UC and sociological ideas and practices have been incorporated into many related subjects, including Cultural Studies, Human Services, Anthropology, History, and Māori and Indigenous Studies.

Sociology major

To complete a major in Sociology within the Bachelor of Arts, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:

100-level

  • Two 100-level SOCI courses

200-level

  • SOCI 201 Social Theory for Contemporary Life
  • Two 200-level SOCI courses

300-level

  • Two 300-level SOCI courses

Sociology minor

For the Sociology minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, you will need to take these courses throughout your chosen degree:

  • 75 points in 100 to 300-level SOCI courses, with at least 15 points at 100-level, 45 points at 200-level, and 30 points at 300-level

Career opportunities

Sociologists are employed in a diverse range of occupations in the private and public sectors of the economy. Their skills are drawn on in private sector research organisations, consultancies, social policy, criminal justice, media firms, and a wide range of social movements or community development projects.

They also carry out research for government departments on topics such as the distribution of income and wealth, and gender and ethnic equality. Employment in government departments can also involve policy development and analysis, drafting new legislation, and analysing the benefits and costs of different social policies.

The broad skills gained from a Bachelor of Arts such as research, writing, critical thinking, and communication are all highly valued by employers and can open employment opportunities in careers as diverse as international relations, heritage, PR, teaching, publishing, advertising, tech start-ups, and more.

Sociology graduates make good teachers and researchers in universities, polytechnics, continuing education providers, and schools.



Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Sociology.