Sociology
School of Global Change
Content navigation menu
Programmes
BA (Hons) Sociology
MA Brands, Communication & Culture
MA Gender, Media & Culture
MA Human Rights, Culture & Social Justice
MA Photography & Urban Cultures
Learning
We are focused on pushing the discipline forward and are known for pioneering ‘Live Sociology’, focusing on contemporary issues, using innovative methods and celebrating the sociological imagination.
Our courses are hands-on, giving you the opportunity to research and record an environment, create and analyse your own data, and draw your own conclusions.
As a Goldsmiths sociology student, you will learn to think critically about the world around you and become equipped with the practical skills to enable you to make change in the future.
You will:
- Gain hands-on research methods training, giving you the chance to try out different ways of exploring the world around you, while gaining skills in data analysis, designing and managing projects and teamwork
- Learn how to question the status quo, to be socially responsible, and to take the lead on creating sustainable change in key areas, such as the climate crisis
- Have access to various module options focusing on sensory and visual methods
- Apply practical research skills to exploring a topic of your choice when you lead your own project in year 3 (undergraduate)
- Have the opportunity to go on a work placement that reflects your own interests and career ambitions
Our staff are experts in the subjects they teach, so you will be learning from academics working at the cutting-edge of their disciplines.
Specialisms include:
- Culture
- Identity and inequalities
- Law
- Human rights and justice
- Health, environment and social change
- Crime and criminalisation
- Racial justice
- Faith and religion
- Urban studies
Sociology students can benefit from a multitude of opportunities to enhance their studies:
Studying and working abroad
A dedicated team will support you to gain international experience by studying and working abroad or undertaking virtual global opportunities. You can apply for student exchanges, and funding towards the costs of international placements.
In recent years students have spent time studying at the University of Copenhagen, the University of Vienna, Gothenburg University, and Science Po-Toulouse. Funding is reviewed on a yearly basis.
Paid internships
Second year students can gain first-hand experience of research via the GRIP scheme which offers students paid internships of 6-8 weeks in the summer. Previous research projects have examined gender and drug purchasing during the pandemic and children’s photography.
The Gold Award
The Gold Award, our personal and professional development programme, is designed to help students identify their current skills and gain new experiences through co-curricular activities.
You will develop an appreciation of a range of career progression pathways and gain transferable skills during your studies.
This will include:
- An awareness of different careers available to sociology graduates and further study on our postgraduate degrees
- Access to placement opportunities in a variety of different employment sectors, including in the creative and cultural industries
- Connecting with local urban regeneration initiatives to enhance your career options
- Linking with employment opportunities in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public sector administration
- Keeping attuned to new challenges in the labour market with the growth of digital media, artificial intelligence (AI) and social media
- Work placements designed to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through access to a broad range of networks providing insight into potential work environments
- Inter-disciplinary work on entrepreneurial skills to enable you to develop your employability potential
You'll have access to specialist software, online learning platforms, and dedicated support for developing digital and entrepreneurial skills. Campus-wide services, including the Library, Careers Service, and Goldsmiths’ Digital Studios provide additional training and resources for content production and communication.
At Goldsmiths, you’ll immerse yourself in a subject you love within a welcoming and creative campus community.
Based in South East London, our vibrant setting connects you directly to the capital’s business, technology, and cultural networks. Your learning goes far beyond the classroom through partnerships, guest lectures, and real-world industry experience.
You’ll be supported by inspiring academics, dedicated staff, and fellow students who are passionate about making a difference. And because we’re in London – ranked the world’s number one student city (QS Best Student Cities 2025) – you’ll benefit from our close links with some of the capital’s leading creative and cultural organisations.
Discover the campus for yourself with our Virtual Tour.
Teaching
We are focused on pushing the discipline forward and are known for pioneering ‘Live Sociology’, focusing on contemporary issues, using innovative methods and celebrating the sociological imagination.
Our courses are hands-on, giving you the opportunity to research and record an environment, create and analyse your own data, and draw your own conclusions.
As a Goldsmiths sociology student, you will learn to think critically about the world around you and become equipped with the practical skills to enable you to make change in the future.
You will:
- Gain hands-on research methods training, giving you the chance to try out different ways of exploring the world around you, while gaining skills in data analysis, designing and managing projects and teamwork
- Learn how to question the status quo, to be socially responsible, and to take the lead on creating sustainable change in key areas, such as the climate crisis
- Have access to various module options focusing on sensory and visual methods
- Apply practical research skills to exploring a topic of your choice when you lead your own project in year 3 (undergraduate)
- Have the opportunity to go on a work placement that reflects your own interests and career ambitions
Our staff
Our staff are experts in the subjects they teach, so you will be learning from academics working at the cutting-edge of their disciplines.
Specialisms include:
- Culture
- Identity and inequalities
- Law
- Human rights and justice
- Health, environment and social change
- Crime and criminalisation
- Racial justice
- Faith and religion
- Urban studies
Opportunities
Sociology students can benefit from a multitude of opportunities to enhance their studies:
Studying and working abroad
A dedicated team will support you to gain international experience by studying and working abroad or undertaking virtual global opportunities. You can apply for student exchanges, and funding towards the costs of international placements.
In recent years students have spent time studying at the University of Copenhagen, the University of Vienna, Gothenburg University, and Science Po-Toulouse. Funding is reviewed on a yearly basis.
Paid internships
Second year students can gain first-hand experience of research via the GRIP scheme which offers students paid internships of 6-8 weeks in the summer. Previous research projects have examined gender and drug purchasing during the pandemic and children’s photography.
The Gold Award
The Gold Award, our personal and professional development programme, is designed to help students identify their current skills and gain new experiences through co-curricular activities.
Careers and support
You will develop an appreciation of a range of career progression pathways and gain transferable skills during your studies.
This will include:
- An awareness of different careers available to sociology graduates and further study on our postgraduate degrees
- Access to placement opportunities in a variety of different employment sectors, including in the creative and cultural industries
- Connecting with local urban regeneration initiatives to enhance your career options
- Linking with employment opportunities in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public sector administration
- Keeping attuned to new challenges in the labour market with the growth of digital media, artificial intelligence (AI) and social media
- Work placements designed to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through access to a broad range of networks providing insight into potential work environments
- Inter-disciplinary work on entrepreneurial skills to enable you to develop your employability potential
Facilities
You'll have access to specialist software, online learning platforms, and dedicated support for developing digital and entrepreneurial skills. Campus-wide services, including the Library, Careers Service, and Goldsmiths’ Digital Studios provide additional training and resources for content production and communication.
Study with us
At Goldsmiths, you’ll immerse yourself in a subject you love within a welcoming and creative campus community.
Based in South East London, our vibrant setting connects you directly to the capital’s business, technology, and cultural networks. Your learning goes far beyond the classroom through partnerships, guest lectures, and real-world industry experience.
You’ll be supported by inspiring academics, dedicated staff, and fellow students who are passionate about making a difference. And because we’re in London – ranked the world’s number one student city (QS Best Student Cities 2025) – you’ll benefit from our close links with some of the capital’s leading creative and cultural organisations.
Discover the campus for yourself with our Virtual Tour.
Research
Our research is oriented to developing critical and creative approaches to the most important and pressing questions of our time.
We are committed to producing high-quality research which spans and connects the local to the global; addressing inequalities, marginalisations, equity and justice and working in a pluri-disciplinary way that cuts across conventional disciplinary boundaries, inside and outside the academy.
Our research culture is collaborative, dynamic, and outward-facing.
In addition to the research activities of staff, doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers play an active role in shaping the overall research culture not only through their own original research activities but also by initiating and organising events and reading groups, as well as contributing to research-led teaching.
Our understanding of research and research outputs extends across a range of activities in addition to the production of research monographs and peer-reviewed journal articles.
These include but are not limited to research-led teaching, public engagement, contributions to policy development, research reports, journalistic articles and exhibitions, as well as bid development and grant capture.
Research centres, units and labs
- Centre for Critical Global Change
- Centre for Feminist Research
- Centre for Invention and Social Process
- Centre for Philosophy and Critical Thought
- Centre for the Study of Global Media and Democracy
- Centre for Urban and Community Research
- Unit for Global Justice
- Kitchen Research Unit
- Unit of Play
- Methods Lab
Meet the academics, practice tutors, technicians and researchers in the School of Global Change.