Bachelor of Arts - Sociology with Social Psychology (Including Placement Year) (CL93)

This University of Essex course provides a thorough grounding in social psychology and sociology, exploring why individuals, groups, and cultures are the way they are and examining why they might be different, as well as developing students' qualitative and quantitative research skills. Students explore the many different social tensions, interactions and networks that make up everyday life from how people relate to politicians, celebrities and friends, to how they define themselves, their families, and others. Students engage their curiosity about a wide selection of sociological questions and topic, including: social psychology, psychoanalysis, and social interaction, psychology and the science of human behaviour, sociology of migrations, religious belief, and multinational corporations.

Students also have the opportunity to complete a supervised dissertation on a topic that inspires them, encouraging students to think differently and connect with live issues and debates. Essex's Department of Sociology was rated top 10 in the UK for research quality, and they consistently receive strong student satisfaction scores and are in the top 20 nationally for overall student satisfaction in Sociology.

Students can also undertake a placement year in which they gain relevant work experience within an external business, giving them a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing them with key contacts within the industry. Students will be responsible for finding their placement, but with support and guidance provided by both the department and the Employability and Careers Centre.

A good sociology course, especially one from a recognized centre of excellence like Essex, opens many doors.

Sociology students are well-suited a host of occupations, including local and central government, NGOs, social work, market research, project management, fundraising, auditing, marketing, case-work, youth and community work, voluntary sector management and lobbying.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including: The Institute of Public Finance, Guardian Professional, United, Synergy Healthcare Research, and Ipsos-Mori.