Why are ‘private troubles’ also ‘public issues’? This course enables you to explore and answer questions just like this. The course will appeal if you’re interested in how social life shapes individuals’ experiences of the world around us. From across sociology and allied social sciences, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of theories and methodologies. Then you’ll have the opportunity to tailor your programme to your own specific interests through our wide range of options.

Your period of study will involve you in: examining individuals’ experiences, and encounters with structures and institutions; reading new empirical research; exploring social theories; and assessing innovative methodologies.

Please check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.

Teaching

Each of our MA courses has specified core modules which will be studied alongside a range of optional modules. You’ll be required to choose four optional modules from our departmental list. All our MA courses follow a consistent structure meaning that you will follow a programme of taught modules, followed by a 15,000 word dissertation.

Contact Hours

Each module consists of at least 20 hours of teaching. You will also have contact hours available at your own disposal for dissertation supervisor, etc.

Class Sizes

Class sizes can range from 6 to 30 students, dependent on each module.

Assessment

Taught modules are assessed through written assignments. Providing you successfully complete the taught components of the course, you will then focus on completion of your MA dissertation in the summer months of July and August. If you study part-time then you will study your taught modules over two years: with teaching taking place during the academic terms. The order in which you study your modules will be agreed following discussion with your course convenor. You will also begin planning your dissertation in year one.

Skills from this degree

• Ability to analyse and evaluate complex intellectual ideas
• Ability to analyse and evaluate competing approaches to understanding the contemporary world
• Ability to build sophisticated and persuasive arguments from an array of sources
• Ability to gather and analyse data using a range of techniques
• Ability to carry out independent research
• Ability to write about complex ideas in a clear way

Minimum requirements 2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject

English language requirements Band B
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above

International Students
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information please visit the international entry requirements page.

For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home/EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's Fees and Funding webpage.

Scholarships

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships - full overseas tuition, maintenance and other expenses for students applying for this course only. Sociology Departmental Scholarship - £5,000 for full-time applicants and £2,500 over 2 years for part-time applicants. 10 awards available: 5 for Home and EU candidates, 5 for Overseas candidates.

Additional Course Costs

This course may also include additional course costs.

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including: Coventry University, KPMG, Oxfam and Waitrose. They have pursued roles such as: business and financial project management professionals; higher education teaching professionals; IT project and programme managers; legal professionals and research and development managers.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Make Your Mark - Careers with a degree in Sociology
• Working for More than Profit
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Your Sociological future: Sociology Alumni Evening
• My Sociological Future- What next? Career planning for undecided Sociology finalists

There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. Some departments also host their own events and open days, where you can learn more about your department or course of study. To find out more about all of these opportunities, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.