MA Sociology

Course information

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Course overview

How can sociology engage with the most significant challenges facing societies today and the patterns and dynamics of contemporary social life? Through an introduction to the sociological imagination and sociology as a craft and vocation, you will study core themes of sociology at an advanced level to develop your capacity to think critically and sociologically.

The MA Sociology provides an advanced introduction to key debates about society, culture, and the world we live in. It combines a broad base of knowledge and theory, with a sharp focus on specific areas of expertise (methodological and theoretical) within the social sciences. You will also be able to build your core knowledge and skills for sociological research alongside a uniquely creative approach that enables you to focus on specialist areas.

Gain a strong foundation in the sociological imagination and craft

You’ll acquire a base of sociological knowledge, theory and methods that will enable you to study core themes of sociology in-depth at an advanced level and to develop your ability to think critically and sociologically. You will also study how sociological methods are being transformed in the age of visual, digital and other technologies and how live or inventive forms of empirical research challenge other modes of social and cultural analysis.

Tailor your degree to match your interests

You’ll be able to build on your core sociological knowledge and methodological skills by selecting from a range of option modules that enable you to tailor the degree to match your individual interests. You’ll join a community of students from around the world who have a range of backgrounds and interests, and who bring these unique perspectives to the study environment. We welcome graduates from fields such as social science, humanities and philosophy, as well as more creative and artistic pursuits.

Learn from expert academics with cutting-edge research specialisms

You'll be taught and supervised by academics in the Department of Sociology, and you'll be invited to actively take part in the Department's cutting-edge research culture. This includes events organised by the following research centres and units:

Centre for Philosophy and Critical Thought
Unit of Play
Centre for Invention and Social Process
Unit of Global Justice
Methods Lab
Centre for the Study of Global Media and Democracy
Centre for Feminist Research
Political Economy Research Centre
Centre for Urban and Community Research

Our department is world-leading. We've been rated top 10 in the UK for sociology in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Fauzia Ahmad or Katherine Robinson.

What you'll study

Overview

The MA Sociology consists of:

Two compulsory modules (30 credits each) provide foundational training in sociological knowledge, theory and methods.
Two option modules (or equivalent for 60 credits in total)
A dissertation (60 credits)

As a full-time student, you will normally complete one compulsory module and one option module in each of the Autumn and Spring terms.

As a part-time student, you will spread these modules over two years.

Compulsory and option modules are normally taught by one-hour lectures, followed by one-hour seminars.

Module title	Credits
Methodology Now	30 credits
Thinking Sociologically	30 credits
Dissertation	60 credits

Option Modules

You can choose two options for 60 credits: one from across the options offered by the Sociology department and a second option from within the department or from across Goldsmiths. Not all modules are suitable for students from all academic backgrounds; you will discuss your choices with the convenor at the start of your degree.

Dissertation

For your dissertation, you'll meet for individual supervision with a member of the Sociology staff and participate in Dissertation workshops led both by staff and students (based on presentation and discussion of your work in progress). The dissertation is a substantive piece of research, empirical or theoretical, on a topic of your choice.

Assessment

The assessment consists of coursework, extended essays, reports, presentations, practice-based projects or essays/logs, group projects, reflective essays, and seen and unseen written examinations.

Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) awards are also available for this pathway of the MA Sociology programme. For the award of Postgraduate Diploma, you would need to complete the compulsory modules and option modules to the value of 120 CATS; for the Postgraduate Certificate, you would need to complete the compulsory modules to the value of 60 CATS. Please note that these are exit awards; if you successfully complete the whole programme you'll be awarded an MA Sociology.

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject.

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

Home - full-time: £10350
Home - part-time: £5175
International - full-time: £20460

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

Details of your academic qualifications
The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

Find out more about applying.

Staff

Many members of the Department contribute to the programme. You may meet a range of different staff members if you choose the options on which they teach, or if your dissertation project fits well with their expertise and they are available to supervise you.

Find out more about staff in the Department of Sociology.

Careers

Graduates of our MA programmes go on to work for governments and public administrations, NGOs and charities, in media and the arts, and in the commercial sector. Some also go to do research in diverse organisations, as well as to do PhDs and to have academic careers in universities all over the world.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.

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