Sociology MA
Explore key topics in sociology from identity and citizenship to social transformation, equality and justice. Enhance your grasp of core concepts and develop hands-on research skills.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
We'll help you:
- stretch your sociological imagination
- identify the social issues you really care about
- extend your research skills
Our master's in Sociology equips you with an awareness and understanding of the theoretical traditions and concepts that shape the discipline. A dissertation and a variety of taught options provide you with an opportunity to engage with key sociological questions.
You'll have the opportunity to explore cutting edge research across:
- identity and citizenship
- social institutions and transformations
- patterns of inequality and injustice
You'll receive training in social research methods. You'll then undertake research to inform and shape a substantial dissertation project.
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
Throughout your master's in Sociology you'll:
- learn about contemporary sociological research from subject specialists
- gain an understanding of the range of sophisticated conceptual and theoretical tools we apply to make sense of social life
- be empowered to conduct your own empirical research, supported by methods training and a subject mentor
- develop your own disciplinary expertise and take forward knowledge of the social processes and issues you’ve researched into your professional future.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
How you'll learn
Core teaching will be through:
- interactive lectures
- seminars
Methods teaching may also involve workshops
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Research proposal
- Thesis
Dissertation research takes the form of an independent project supported by one-to-one supervision and our MA student conference.
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Sociology at Newcastle comprises a friendly, diverse group of academics with diverse research specialisms.
Our head of Sociology is Professor Tracy Shildrick.
The Programme Director for our MAs is Dr Silvia Pasquetti.
Compulsory modules (like Social Divisions and Inequality; Being, Belonging and Identity and Theories of Society, Power and Politics) and optional modules (eg Visual Sociologies, Sociology for the Anthropocene), are taught by experts, often leading Professors in their fields.
You can see a full list of our staff and their research expertise here.
Your development
Analytical skills
You'll develop a critical understanding of social processes, social policies and social change.
Research skills
You'll gain skills in required for:
- qualitative and quantitative research design
- conducting fieldwork or document-based projects
- analysing and communicating rich and complex data
Your future
This course deepens your understanding of the social world and enriches your methodological skills. It prepares you for a wide range of careers across the public, private and third sector. Graduates from this course often find it helps them discover their own interests in social issues and opens up careers options.
Our graduates have taken up roles in a number of sectors, including and beyond:
- charity sector
- advocacy
- local government and international organisations
- regulatory and environmental bodies
- social and legal research
- further education teaching
Many of our MA Sociology graduates also go on to study for a PhD.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School has a postgraduate common room and postgraduate study rooms.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course
Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course.
How to apply
Using the application portal
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If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Geography Politics and Sociology
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 3921
Email: Sociologyadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk
Online
For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.
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